“Davao
math whiz wins in India”
Sun.Star
Davao, August 12, 2017
In the recent India International
Mathematics Competition (InIMC), Team Philippines comprised of 34 students from
different public and private schools impressively bagged a total of 26 medals.
With one gold, eight silver and
seventeen bronze medals, including ten merit certificates, Dr. Simon L. Chua,
the chief operating officer and co-founder of the non-government organization
Mathematics Trainers’ Guild (MTG) Philippines and delegation head, praised the
Filipino math geniuses for their commendable performance.
"With your achievement, you
made not only your respective families and schools but also your country proud.
It likewise reaffirmed that Filipino math wizards rank among the best in the
world," Dr. Chua says in an interview.
The other participating countries
included Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia,
Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan,
Tajikistan, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, and host India.
MTG has been in the forefront in
promoting excellence in math education and training and was responsible for
preparing Team Philippines in the prestigious competition.
Mathinik
The country's lone gold medal in the
InIMC came from the Philippines’ Team C members Enzo Rafael Chan of Bayanihan
Institute; Kristen Steffi Teh of Grace Christian College; Sean Matthew Tan of
Jubilee Christian Academy and Cassidy Kyler Lao Tan of Davao Christian High
School.
Aside from his team’s gold medal
victory, twelve-year old Dabawenyo Kyler who is currently a Grade 7 student won
a bronze medal in the individual category.
Kyler
is no newbie in clinching top spots in international competitions. Aside from
his local and national math medal hauls, he has previously competed and won in
math tilts in Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia. In addition, the batch
valedictorian was a perfect scorer and prize awardee during the 2016 Australian
Mathematics Competition.
It
was Kyler’s DCHS teacher Rosnie Buenaventura who first discovered his
extraordinary gift in math. “When I was in Grade 1, I enjoyed doing math
puzzles and riddles. Ma’am Rosnie saw my interest and would give me math
problems to solve at the back of my notebook. She encouraged me to do math
trainings to hone my skills. And, since then, math became a part of my
life”, Kyler recalls.
“I trained at the Rigid Math Training Center every
Saturday. I also joined Mathematics Trainers’ Guild Philippines’ programs
and activities”, shares Kyler who enjoys swimming, biking, music and playing
drums and computer games.
The
future scientist/businessman credits his achievements to God’s guidance and his
interest in math. “I also owe it to my intensive trainings, hard work and
determination. And, of course, the relentless support of my parents, trainers, teachers,
and friends”, he adds.
“Math
is fun. It is used daily in our life. Like what Thomas Edison said,
“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration”. Math
just needs practice. Like any other sports, practice makes perfect”, the
bubbly Kyler discloses.
It’s not only about winning
If
you think that Kyler is the only math whiz in the family, then, you are in for
a big surprise. His two other younger sisters, Chloe Kimberly (10 y.o.) and
Chelsea Kristanna (8 y.o.) also won gold and silver medals, respectively, at
the 2017 International Mathematics Wizard Challenge in Xiamen, China last
summer.
Besides
their innate talents in math and perseverance, a significant part of the
siblings’ success is the all-out support of their parents, Kenneth Mark and
Cristy Tan.
“I have to manage my time to be with them during
their trainings and competition. I drive them every day during their trainings
in Manila and maximize the summer by planning road and food trips during
weekends. I also study and research on the places and countries they have to go
to, to ensure their safety”, details Kenneth.
But,
all these sacrifices are well worth it when Kenneth sees his kids enjoying
themselves while learning. “It’s not always the winning that is the most
important, as long as I know that they did their best in the competition”, he
intimates.
What
is the Tans’ secret in raising kids who love math?
“Show math as something fun and useful.
Support your children and motivate them. You should have focus just like
driving. There are many roads, detours or alternate routes that will lead you
to your destination and like math, there are many solutions to solve a puzzle
or reach a correct answer. The fun there is if you discover the shortcuts!”,
the hands-on dad smiles.
E-mail the author at
mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.
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