MANILA, Philippines - A team of Filipino math wizards won a total of 136 medals and merit awards at the sixth International Mathematics Competition (IMC) held in Singapore from August 6 to 10.
The entire Philippine team bagged 12 gold medals, 26 silvers, 54 bronzes and 44 merit awards in the contest, according to Dr. Simon Chua, president of the Mathematics Trainers Guild - Philippines (MTG).
MTG, an organization of math experts, trains Filipinos for math competitions abroad.

Some of the Filipino math wizards at the IMC in Singapore. Credit: MTG

With the medals, the Philippine team placed second overall in the contest behind China. Landing in third place is Indonesia, followed by Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and India.
Chua noted that this year's medal harvest increased compared to last year's contest where the Filipino math wizards won 102 medals. The Philippine delegation is set to arrive in Manila on Tuesday night, August 10.
Below are the Filipino math wizards who won medals and merit awards in the sixth IMC, as announced by MTG:
Gold
1. Raphael Villaluz of San Beda College-Alabang
2. Matthew Andrew Isidro of St. Jude Catholic School
3. Shaquille Wyan Que of Grace Christian College
4. Farrel Eldrian Wu of MGC New Life Christian Academy
5. Errol John Suarez of Bicol University Integrated Laboratory School
6. Frederick Matthew Corpuz of Colegio San Agustin-Makati
7. Adrian Reginald Sy of St. Jude Catholic School
8. Gabriele Anne Gabaton of Pasig Catholic College
9. Jervis Ong Chua of Philippine Cultural College
10. Kate Andrea Bonamy of Grace Christian College
11. Shaun Wesley of Grace Christian College
12. Karl Joshua Reyes of Regional Science High School in Olongapo
Silver
1. Xavier Jefferson Go of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School
2. Lord Danly Mafe of Colegio San Agustin-Biñan
3. Jose Ignacio Locsin of St. John's Institute
4. Bon Leif Amalla of Colegio San Agustin-Biñan
5. Emmanuel Paulo Santos of Colegio San Agustin-Biñan
6. Adam Christopher Chan of Grace Christian College
7. Jaymi Mae Ching of Jubilee Christian Academy
8. Jan Joshua Cruz of Pasig Catholic College
9. Elijamin Wolfgang Claveria of Elizabeth Seton School-South
10. Albert Neil Dulay of Integrated Montessori Center
11. Luis Salvador Diy of Xavier School
12. Hans Markson Tan of St. Stephen's High School
13. Andrea Jaba of St. Jude Catholic School
14. Alyssa Guevara of De La Salle Santiago Zobel School Ayala
15. Cary Albert Chan of St. Jude Catholic School
16. Mark Christopher Uy of Xavier School
17. Christopher Banzon of Nemesio I. Yabut Elementary School
18. Juan Mario Luis Esplana of Elizabeth Seton School-South
19. Kelsey Lim Tiong Soon of Jubilee Christian Academy
20. Vincent Jaime Benitez of Philippine Science High School-Western Visayas
21. Dave Laurence Juntilla of Philippine Science High School-Southern Mindanao
22. Himig Marcos of Philippine Cultural College
23. Sterling Alvin Tiu of St. Stephen's High School
24. Timothy James Tan of Trinity Christian School
25. Stephen Laohoo of Grace Christian College
26. Jeremy Vance Yap of Grace Christian College
Bronze
1. Vincent Angelo Suarez of De La Salle Lipa
2. Patricia Ina Tañada of Pembo Elementary School
3. Joan Lyn Fadri of San Beda College-Alabang
4. Aubrey Beatrice Carnaje of SPED-Integrated School for Exceptional Child
5. Richlyn Joy Villalobos of Doane Brilliant Child Learning Haven
6. Thomas Spencer Balete of St. Stephen's High School
7. Amyll Angelin Uy of Davao Christian High School
8. Cheska Marina Hufano of Mother Goose Special School System
9. Luke Matthew Bernardo of Philadelphia High School
10. Kenneth Shi of Philippine Cultural College-Main
11. Vicente Raphael Chan of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School
12. Robert Diel Abdao of Integrated Montessori Center
13. John Aries Ceazar Hingan of San Beda College-Alabang
14. Andrew Vince Lee of Xavier School
15. Lou Irish Gonzales of Pasig Catholic College
16. Kyle Garret Lee Uy of Xavier School
17. Josh Thomas Clement of West Visayas State University
18. Adrian Nathaniel Chua of Xavier School
19. Brendan Cale Coseto of Xavier School
20. Matthew Johann Uy of Xavier School
21. Almira Beatrice Uy of PACE Academy
22. Bryan Pocholo Miguel Illana of Divine Light Academy-Molino
23. Jes David Adriel Buaron of Statesfield School
24. Angelo Miguel Eduarte of City Central Cagayan de Oro
25. Royce Val Malalis of City Central Cagayan Oro
26. Jan Kendrick Ong of Chiang Kai Shek College
27. Janina Navarra of Colegio de San Agustin,
28. Agnes Robang of PAREF Woodrose School
29. Dominique Sy of Grace Christian College
30. Leo Emmanuel Sombiro of Solomon Integrated School of Iloilo
31. Nadine Macalalad of St. Paul College-Pasig
32. Akkiara Symonn May Sawali of St. Augustine's School
33. Vince Roi Alvarez of Colegio San Agustin-Biñan
34. Yusaine Maon of Falcon Learning Center
35. Marx Vincent Cobol of Philippine Science High School-Southern Mindanao
36. Caisa Subia of San Beda College-Alabang
37. Carissa Andrea Lim of St. Jude Catholic School
38. Mark Vincent Tan of Ateneo de Manila High School
39. Anchelle Grace Ho of Silliman University
40. Nathaniel Ryan Ang of Xavier School
41. Karli Ang of Philippine Institute of Quezon City
42. Dielle Tio of St. Stephen's High School
43. Martin Lewis Koa of St. Jude Catholic School
44. Hans Bryan Geremy Ong of Grace Christian College
45. Wilford Jason Julio of St. Jude Catholic School
46. Lu Christian Ong of Grace Christian College
47. Casey Oliver Turingan of San Beda College-Alabang
48. Hannah Elyse Tee of Immaculate Conception Academy
49. Charles Emerson Ngo of Leyte Progressive High School
50. Andrew Cua of Philippine Cultural College
51. Kyle Justin Meguizo of St. Jude Catholic School
52. John Cedric Laohoo of Grace Christian College
53. Emmanuel Gerard Chiu of Silliman University High School
54. Ann Michelle Siao of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School
Merit Awards
1. Yusaira Maon of Falcon Learning Center
2. Justin Baes of Dee Hwa Liong Academy
3. Justin Matthew Lapastora of St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur
4. Maxim Grace Sorongon of Children's Integrated School of Alta Tierra
5. Frenz Evander Cabison of Mother Goose Special School System Inc.
6. Lorenz Matthew Tech of Pasig Catholic College
7. Janella Umbina of Special Education Center for the Gifted
8. Cristiana Marie Calderon of Falcon Learning Center
9. Emmanuel Maminta of Iligan City East Central School
10. Patrick Allen Tañada of Pembo Elementary School
11. Azel Amada of Silliman University
12. Justin Adriel Zent Togonon of Children's Integrated School of Alta Tierra
13. Nathaniel Dinsay of Young Shepherds School
14. Albert Jason Olaya of Morning Star Montessori School
15. Thamania Keith Gumilao of Pasig Catholic College
16. Lorenzo Magnaye of De La Salle Canlubang
17. Karljan Kotah of Philippine Cultural College-Main
18. Sabrina Rae Chan of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School
19. Benoni Perez of Dee Hwa Liong Academy
20. Neil Marc Dasas of Solomon Intg. School
21. John Lester Tan of Dee Hwa Liong Academy
22. Patricia Marie Yap of Iloilo Central Commercial High School
23. King James Fetalvero of Philippine Science High School-Southern Mindanao
24. Christina Marie Moneda of Blessed Lights International Christian Academy
25. Jasmine Marie Gamboa of Grace Christian College
26. Royce Dy of Kong Hua School
27. Gail Denise Destura of La Salle Academy
28. Abigail Laureen Sy of St. Jude Catholic School
29. James Daniel Cordon of Philippine Science High School-Main
30. Darren Anthony Khow of St. Jude Catholic School
31. Aaron Jevon Anthony Dy of Xavier School
32. Edgar Laurrence Osis of Colegio San Agustin - Biñan
33. Samuel Wong of Grace Christian College
34. Jeska Brenot Belonio of Xavier University High School-Ateneo de Cagayan
35. Beatriz Michelle Go of Immaculate Conception Academy
36. Peter Nicholas Onglao of Xavier School
37. Joelle Sophia Peña of Philippine Science High School - Main
38. Carlo Luis Benitez of Ateneo de Iloilo-Sta. Maria Catholic School
39. Daniel Ratilla of Philippine Institute of Quezon City
40. Kennichi Tan of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School
41. Regine Joy Perania of Iloilo Central Commercial High School
42. Kerwin Edfrey Utanes of Philippine Science High School-Main
43. Ian Chesterson Lim of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School
44. Carlo Patrick Tan of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School.

from abs-cbn news.

Venus Raj; 4th Runner Up of Miss Universe

Congratulations to the Miss Venus Raj for winning 4th runner up of Miss Universe 2010.

All the 83 contestants were beautiful and it's a great pride to have a filipina be part of top 5 finalist.
here are the other winners:

miss congeniality: miss Australia
Most photogenic: Miss Thailand
Best in National Costume: Miss Thailand
4th runner up: Miss Philippines: Venus Raj
3rd runner up: Miss Ukraine
2nd runner up: Miss Australia
1st runner up: Miss Jamaica
Miss universe 2010: Miss Mexico

They all deserve the title! =)

UST Singers win in Europe Choir Contest

Inquirer.net

The University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Singers continues to win in choir contests in Europe, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Following their recent victories this year in international choral competitions in Wales, Ireland and Poland, the UST Singers secured the top prizes in the choir competition at the 28th International Music Festival which was held on July 16-18 in Cantonigròs in Catalonia, Spain. Cantonigròs is a small rural town situated around 150 kilometers north of Barcelona.

The UST Singers obtained the top prizes in both the Mixed Choir and Folk Song categories of the competition, which was participated in this year by 33 choirs and dance groups representing 22 countries plus the Catalan and Basque regions of Spain. Choirs from Slovenia and Indonesia finished second and third, respectively, in the same categories of the competition.

The UST Singers choir was tasked to open the festival with a rendition of various folk and popular songs on the evening of July 16. Their performance was met with a rousing standing ovation from the audience, including mayors of Catalan towns in the area and members of the consular corps in Barcelona, including Philippine Consul General in Barcelona Eduardo de Vega.

The last Philippine choir to participate in Cantonigròs was the Philippine Normal University Choir, which gathered first place in the Folk Song Category and tied for third place in the Mixed Choir category during the 2008 edition of the festival.

Aside from the consul general, a number of Filipino supporters from Barcelona were present to render moral support for the UST Singers, and met with members of the choir and their director, Professor Fidel G. Calalang, Jr., before their opening number.

Professor Calalang expressed the choir's appreciation for the support provided by the Filipinos who came to watch them perform, while Consul General de Vega told the group that their successive victories in European competitions are being followed with much excitement in the Philippines and continue to be a source of great pride for the Filipino nation.

___________

Filipinos are truly gifted musicians.

I wish I could see them perform. =)

Charice sings the Philippine National Anthem on P-Noy's Inauguration

perfect!
This is the proper way of singing the our national anthem.

Charice Pempengco on Glee

Our very own, Charice Pempengco will be on the third season of Glee.
I can't wait to see her on one of my favorite shows.
I'm so proud of you Charice! Show the world just how talented Filipinos are. =)

Cebu Dancing Inmates - This is it

Filipino, Philippines "Dancing Inmates" from Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), a maximum security prison, were treated to a visit by Michael Jacksons long-time choreographer Travis Payne and dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid to learn performances from THIS IS IT.

I'm so proud of these dancing inmates!

CNN Hero of the Year

another reason why I am proud to be pinoy!
really inspiring =)

15 minutes with a hero: Efren Peñaflorida
By Grace Oliveros (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - It all starts with a piece of bread, but the donations are not your usual dole-outs. They are given only after the recipient, who is usually a small child or an out-of-school teenager, has accepted another invitation: this time, to attend a 15-minute class on reading, writing, and basic values formation.

It may take the young “teachers,” mainly volunteers and Christian workers, time to encourage their younger charges to open themselves up to learning as a constant in their lives – but it does happen. Soon enough, the students start gravitating to the books first, then the bread (and other goodies) later.

“Before, their motivation was food,” admits Efren Peñaflorida, 28, a high school teacher in Imus, Cavite’s upscale Palm Ridge School and a leader of the Christian group, the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC). “Now the kids are more excited to learn and read their books.”

An offshoot of the Christian organization Club 8586, DTC and its zealous young men and women have been holding classes on leadership, the 3Rs, and Christian values in dump sites, jails and cemeteries to reach out to the marginalized young and give them an alternative to street violence, gang wars, and ultimately, a life of mendicancy or crime.

Peñaflorida, who as representative of his group has just been chosen CNN’s Hero of the Year, is one such convert, both in faith and in lifestyle. Growing up as a young boy in an area near a dumpsite in Cavite, he shared a one-room shack with his parents and two siblings. Though he helped his folks make a living by packing fish crackers after school, the attraction of joining a gang was always present. Fortunately, a World Vision scholarship during his elementary years and his fateful meeting with a pastor from Club 8586 set him on the straight and narrow.

Other friends would follow his path, and not a few former street thugs eventually became his co-mentors. Believing in giving back, Peñaflorida remained active in volunteer work throughout his high school years, rising up the leadership ranks as he finished two courses in formal education. After receiving his associate diploma in computer technology from San Sebastian College, he went back to the classroom to finish his bachelor’s degree in education, this time from the Cavite State University.

“My own education was non-stop,” he says, “and I love it. Education is a passion.” His fervor is shared by more than a hundred of his peers who have taken up the cause to develop learning and a love for it among more than 300 – and still growing – kids who live in four areas in Cavite City.

The burden is made easier by their mobile kariton (pushcart) classrooms that literally deliver books, notebooks, lunch packs, hygiene materials, canteen station, chairs and tables, and a computer to their students. The ingenious devices have caught the attention of the media in the past couple of the years, which ultimately led to the CNN nomination and eventual award.

Peñaflorida and his group were awarded $25,000 for landing in the top ten, and get an additional $100,000 as the top prize. Though obviously enthused at the award, he has remained practical about the winnings – except for the ten-percent tithe to his church, the rest will go to re-equipping the kariton classrooms or probably creating more of them (the creation of one costs between P20,000 to P30,000).

These days, even the parents of the poor children are becoming converts. There were – and still are – times when Peñaflorida and his group would receive jeers and angry refusals from fathers and mothers who would rather see their offspring begging on the streets rather than attending the 15-minute classes. The kariton teachers’ reaction was classic: counter opposition with more education. Peñaflorida says, “We did tell them that their children, even though very young, had rights; these rights included opportunities for learning. We also told them that they had rights as parents.”

It was the message that hooked these elders into accompanying their kids and eventually attending. Once regular numbers of parents were coming, Peñaflorida and his group created a separate literacy program for them.

It is not just the eyes of the poor and marginalized that he wants to open. Sometimes, through the respective school’s own immersion classes, he brings their more well-heeled students on an exposure trip to the dumpsite and the other depressed areas. “These well-to-do kids took their education for granted,” Peñaflorida shares, but after those trips “they learned to value the fact that they have the opportunity to study.”

For everyone to share this belief and value is one item ona Peñaflorida’s wish list, because then, just maybe, the country will see a larger share of college graduates and fewer dropouts every year. “I can’t believe that every year only 120 students graduate from college out of a batch of 1000. These kids should be given the opportunity to study and learn,” says the teacher whose peers have affectionately teased as a future Secretary of Education.

In the meantime, he and his group continue planting the seeds of renewal. One of their most zealous volunteers is 10-year-old Chris, who was abandoned by his mother near a store franchise. Today, he is leading the charge to hold classes among kids of his own age and to bring them books, some of which he bought out of his own small savings. It is stories like these that encourage Peñaflorida to continue his calling and dream of bigger things, and to raise up more heroes among our youth.