Pinoy Olympiads recall journey to winning on international stage

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

 

Dedication, hard work and perseverance were keys to victory for the Philippine teams in international science and math competitions. 

  

After a series of wins on the international stage, students and coaches who represented the country shared their stories of competing and winning medals during the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Media Conference presenting the 2022 Philippine Teams to International STEM Olympiads held recently at  the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). 

 

Present during the event are representatives from the national organizers for the Philippine participation in six (6) prestigious STEM Olympiads held this year, namely:  1) the 63^rd International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) held in Oslo, Norway; 2) 33^rd International Biology Olympiad held in Yereven, Armenia; 3) 54^th International Chemistry Olympiad held in Tianjin, China;  4)  52^nd  International Physics Olympiad held in Switzerland; 5)  34^th International Olympiad in Informatics held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 

 

This year, the Philippine teams bagged ten (10) bronze medals, eight (8) honorable mentions and a merit citation. 

 

Dr. Ronald Cruz, team leader to the 33^rd IBO narrated how the Philippine team’s medal haul this year is its largest since joining in 2018. Dr. Cruz also mentioned that they are planning to host the 36^th IBO in 2025.  Dr. Faith Marie G. Lagua, coach of the PH team to the 54^th IChO explained how this year’s competition was conducted. She thanked all the organizations, including DOST-SEI, for the support to the national  team.  

 

Since their first medal haul in 1999, the award streak continues for the Philippine Team to the 52^nd IPhO according to Dr. Perico Esguerra,  who also talked about the importance of finding talented students outside the usual line up of schools.  

 

Dr. Christian Paul Chan Shio, team leader of the PH Team to the 63^rd IMO and Mr. Gerard Francis Ortega, team leader to the 34^th IOI highlighted how the support of the Institute has helped them increase their reach throughout the year.  

 

All team leaders are hopeful that the participation of the Philippine Teams to the international Olympiads will be even more successful as they prepare for full in-person competitions in the years to come.  

  

DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, through a video message, congratulated and encouraged the students to continue aiming for excellence while honing their skills and core values as they become inspiration for other students to take interest in the breeder sciences of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics.  

  

“The medals that you have won are fruits of your perseverance, and proof of your world-class talents. Wear it proud, fly high but keep your feet on the ground. Reach for greater heights but do not forget that your countrymen need thinkers and doers like you to become bearers of hope for your country.” 

  

Dr. Solidum also honored and recognized the efforts of the following organizers in constantly developing a rich pool of talents in STEM: 

  

  

Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP) 

1. Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies, Inc. (PFCS) 
2. Kapisanang Kimika ng Pilipinas, Inc. (KKP) 
3. Philippine Association of Chemistry Teachers, Inc. (PACT) 
4. Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) 

5. Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas (SPP) 
   

6. Samahang Pisika ng Visayas and Mindanao (SPVM) 
7. Philippine Physics Olympiad (PPO) 
8. Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) - Department of Biology, School of Science and Engineering, 
9. Ateneo Biological Organization (BOx) 
10. National Olympiad in Informatics Philippines (NOI.PH) 

  

On the same occasion, the Youth Excellence in Science (YES) award was conferred to selected students who won in international STEM Olympiads in 2021. The awarding was led by DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo, Deputy Director Engr. Albert G. Mariño and Dr. Ruby R. Cristobal, Chief of the Science and Technology Manpower Education, Research and Promotions Division of DOST-SEI. The YES medal signifies DOST’s high regard for excellence and competitiveness and is part of the Institute’s thrust to develop a culture of science in the country. The YES medals are annually awarded by the DOST secretary to young Filipinos who had significant achievements in international science and math competitions at the primary and secondary education level. 

  

Dr. Biyo also thanked the media for giving prestige and importance to the achievement of young people in STEM. She congratulated the Philippine Teams and the national organizers for an outstanding feat and highlighted the importance of recognizing and honoring STEM excellence. This is part of DOST-SEI’s mission to inspire more students to join the field. 

  

“The fact that we are excelling in these fields on the global stage says that we should increase our support in nurturing the talents of our students and to continuously recognize the significant contributions of these organizations as DOST-SEI’s partner in promoting the value of pursuing excellence in STEM.”

Beyond Running: Marriott Road to Give Reinvents Virtual Race

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Marriott International’s Run to Give returns under the new name of Road to Give, offering more inclusivity for all types of movement such as running, biking, walking, or dancing. Road to Give (RTG) is a Marriott International-initiated charity running event that is simultaneously conducted in Asia Pacific as part of its Take Care programs.

In the Philippines, the Road to Give event is organized by the Marriott Worldwide Business Councils (MWBC) Philippines in coordination with all Marriott properties in the country such as Manila Marriott Hotel, Clark Marriott Hotel, Sheraton Manila Bay, Sheraton Manila Hotel, Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo, Four Points by Sheraton Palawan, and The Westin Manila Sonata Place. The virtual race aims to raise funds for the Marriott Associate Welfare Fund and its partner beneficiary, Save the Children Philippines.

The Road to Give virtual race allows runners to have the flexibility and freedom to achieve fitness goals at their own pace, route, and schedule from October 17 to November 15, 2022.

Runners may choose a distance goal of 100km, 200km, or 300km. Registration fee starts at Php 500 for Standard category inclusive of e-certificate, Php 950 for Deluxe category inclusive of Marriott Road To Give Dri-Fit Shirt, Printable Race Bib, and e-Certificate, and Php 1,250 for Premium category inclusive of Finisher’s Medal, Marriott Road To Give Dri-Fit Shirt, RTG Race Bib, and e-certificate. Proceeds from Road to Give goes to Marriott Associate Welfare Fund and Save The Children Philippines.

To register visit https://marriottroadtogive.raisely.com

SSS offers a new loan penalty condonation program to members with unpaid loans

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The Social Security System (SSS) launched on October 4, 2022 a new penalty condonation program that aims to aid its members in paying their past-due loans.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Regino urged members with unpaid short-term member loans to take advantage of the Consolidation of Past Due Short-Term Member Loans with Condonation of Penalty.

Members qualified to avail of the program are those with outstanding Salary Loans including Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP), Calamity, Emergency Loan, and Restructured Loan.

“We continuously offer loan penalty condonation programs to help our members settle their loan balances without penalties and regain their good standing with the SSS,” Regino said.

Under the program, SSS shall combine the principal and interest of a member’s past-due short-term member loans into one consolidated loan while all unpaid penalties shall be consolidated and condoned upon full payment of the consolidated loan.

Interested members must meet the following requirements to qualify for the program:
have a past-due short-term member loan at the time of their application;
have not been granted any final benefit such as permanent total disability or retirement;
have not been disqualified due to fraud committed against the SSS; and
have an active My.SSS account.
Regino said members may pay their consolidated loan through a one-time payment within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving the approval notice or they may also opt to pay through installment.

For the installment scheme, members must pay a down payment equivalent to at least 10% of the consolidated loan within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving the approval notice. Meanwhile, they can pay the remaining balance for up to 60 months, depending on the amount.

He said that if the member fails to meet the payment terms based on the consolidated loan agreement, SSS will deduct the outstanding balance of the consolidated loan from the short-term benefits (sickness, maternity, or partial disability benefit claims) and final benefits (permanent total disability, death, retirement), as authorized by the Social Security Commission (SSC).

The SSS chief added that the outstanding balance of the consolidated loan can also be deducted from the death benefit of the members’ beneficiaries or deduct it from the actual final benefit claims.

“We want to collect the past-due loans from our members. However, we also recognize that the pandemic has greatly affected the livelihood of many of them. At this point, they might already be able to pay their loan obligations. Hence, we designed this consolidated program to help them settle their loan obligations by condoning the penalties and offering flexible payment terms,” Regino concluded.

Members may submit their application for the consolidated loan program online through their My.SSS account.