1,802 Filipino students bag 5,000 medals in intl STEM events
FILIPINO students from various regions in the country continue to make a name for the Philippines in the international stage by winning a total of 5,060 gold, silver and bronze medals in 2021.
The Youth Excellence in Science (YES) Awards of the Department of Science and Technology-science Education Institute (DOSTSEI) made the announcement during the recent online awarding ceremony.
The event was part of the recent 2022 National Science and Technology Week celebration. It should be noted that the YES Awards are given to competition winners in the succeeding year.
The DOST-SEI conferred 1,802 YES medals to elementary pupils and high-school students, who have won the 5,000 medals either individually or in group in international science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competitions.
The total number of awardees were: National Capital Region, 805; Calabarzon, 189; Western Visayas, 115; Central Luzon, 113; Ilocos Region, 78; Bicol Region, 86; Zamboanga Peninsula, 55; Davao Region, 66; Northern Mindanao, 67; Central Visayas, 48; Caraga, 38; Eastern Visayas, 37; Cordillera Administrative Region, 38; Cagayan Valley, 27; Mimaropa, 19; and Soccsksargen, 21.
DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette Biyo lauded the students who are always eager to learn, unpack curiosity and pursue excellence in STEM.
“It is a humbling moment for us at the [DOST] to be given the opportunity to celebrate the winning of our young geniuses who bagged awards from various international mathematics and science competitions. We commend you for having reached this impressive milestone that could only be accomplished through your sheer dedication and perseverance,” Biyo said.
Science Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. also congratulated the students and reminded them to continuously strive for excellence, not just in science, but also in life.
“We hope that this recognition further motivates you to strive for excellence and inspires you even more to choose STEM as a field of study and as a career,” Solidum said.
He thanked the national organizers for the various STEM competitions, the coaches and trainers and the students’ parents and guardians for investing in the young people.
YES awardee, Harvey Allen V. Ylanan of the Ateneo de Manila Senior High School, who won a bronze medal in the Hong Kong International Science Olympiad and a silver in the Guangdong-hongkong-macao Grater at Area Mathematical Olympiad, encouraged his co-awardees to continue to pursue excellence and persevere despite the hardships, and to become a beacon of hope for an innovative future.
“I hope you may use this award to provide help in advocating and raising your voices for quality education for everyone, climate action, medical innovation, and scientific discovery in our country, where love, wisdom, the truth and facts may grow and foster,” Ylanan said.
The YES Awards is a DOST institutional award for exemplary achievement of the youth in the fields of STEM.
It is in the form of a medal of distinction awarded by the DOST Secretary or the DOST Regional Director to deserving youth. It signifies the DOST’S high regard for excellence and competitiveness in science and technology.