|
|
by: Carlo Brian Angelo S. Nerecena July 12, 2006 Twenty Filipino students, who are part of the 2006 Mathematics Trainers' Guild (MTG) Philippine Delegation to International Mathematics Competitions, are currently in Wenzhou, China to participate in the 7th Invitational World Youth Mathematics Inter-city Competition (IWYMIC). The delegation flew to China yesterday, July 10, and are going to be there until July 16. The IWYMIC is an annual international math competition for secondary level students. It started in 1999 and changes host nations every year. Previously, the contest made stops in Taiwan, India, Macau, and even the Philippines in 2002. This year marks the first time that the contest is being held in mainland China. The twenty MTG Kids in the delegation are split into five four-member teams. They are expected to duke it out with more than 30 teams from around 10 countries and territories like China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and even non-Asian countries like Canada and South Africa. The Philippine representatives to the Wenzhou 7th IWYMIC are: Dean Cris Acabo - 3rd yr., Philippine Science High School - Central Mindanao Jonathan Aldric Chua - 4th yr., Saint Jude Catholic School Nellie Margaret Chua - 4th yr., Chiang Kai Shek College Jeremy Alvin Chua Yap - 4th yr., Jubilee Christian Academy Sharlene Dizon - 3rd yr., Chiang Kai Shek College Ervin Fredrick Dy - 2nd yr., Chang Kai Shek College Sigrid Marianne Gayangos - 3rd yr., Zamboanga Chong Hua High School Paul Julian Hao - 3rd yr., Chiang Kai Shek College Ezra Jed Macabenta - 4th yr., Bohol Wisdom School Tobit James Narciso - 3rd yr., Philippine Science High School - Main Stephanie Anne Oliveros - 3rd yr., Philippine Science High School - Main Patrick Adrian Ong - 2nd yr., St. Jude Catholic School Ray John Pamillo - 4th yr., Central Philippine University, Iloilo James Christopher Pang - 4th yr., Philippine Institute of Quezon City Darren Mendell Sy - 4th yr., Chiang Kai Shek College Marquis Alexandre Tan - 1st yr., Xavier School Raymond Tan - 1st yr. coll., University of the Philippines - Diliman Vance Mikhail Uy - 2nd yr., St. Jude Catholic School Aileen Gail Versoza - 4th yr., San Beda College - Alabang Kevin Yambao - 2nd yr., Sen. Renato "Companero" Cayetano Mem. Sci. & Tech. HS IWYMIC uses the traditional format often used for international high school math contests. Their is an individual contest consisting of twelve short answer problems worth 5 points each and three open-ended problems worth 20 points each, all to be solved within two hours. Short answer problems look only after the contestants' answers and are each credited on an all-or-nothing basis. Open-ended questions on the other hand, look into the contestants' solutions and are scored based on their strength. Approximately half of the participants get medals in this contest. The top 1/12 gets gold, the next 2/12 get silver, and the next 3/12 get bronze. There is also a team format wherein each team is given eight problems to split amongst themselves and answer separately within 45 minutes. After which, another two problems are given, to be solved as a team for 15 minutes. Scoring usually follows the Short Answer format, although some problems may be scored acccording to their solutions. This time around, trophies are given to the top three scoring teams in each of the pre-determined brackets that usually consist of 6 to 8 teams. This is the seventh time in as many stagings of the IWYMIC that the Philippines participated in this competition, which started in 1999. During last year's IWYMIC in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the Philippines had a rather modest performance, bringing home two bronze medals from the individual contest. They came courtesy of Emmanuel Lance Christopher Plan VI of the Ateneo de Manila and Mark Benedict Tan of Xavier School. Hopes are high though that this year's twenty-member Philippine IWYMIC would easily surpass last year's performance. Many of its members have actually collected numerous awards during previous international contests. Some of them have even enjoyed earlier successes this year, in contests such as the Canadian Mathematics Competition and the American Regions Mathematics League. |
