6 Baguio students win academic Olympiad in South Korea

BAGUIO CITY – Six students from this city proved their worth in the recently concluded 2017 Global Youth Forum and Academic Olympiad last June 12-16 in Mungyeong, South Korea.

Taking pride in their trophy and a cash prize of $1,500 (about R75,500) are Chloe Rosette Angluben, Veronica Liu, Andrhea Gaerlan San Gabriel, Gabrielle Berne Padaco, David Adrian Paddit and John Michael Fangonilo, who are all grade 10 students in the city. They brought home the overall prize, the accumulated score coming from their individual divisions.

All six aged 15 and 16, unbelievably earned the pride of becoming champions, after they were able to solve the problems of the country and other nations asked of them as well as provided academic solutions to the given problems.

They were able to do this despite the lack of support from their school and the government. The lack of funding did not prevent them from flying to Korea, competing and winning.

Their families provided the financial requirement to be able to represent the country and prove their intelligence.

Calling themselves Team Elatus, they vied for the grand award against 11 contenders from the USA, South Korea, Germany, India, Indonesia, Singapore and Taiwan.

Aside from talent in debate, they also shared their knowledge in English, Mathematics, Science and other subjects.

During the event, they also performed a cultural presentation, the total score of which earned them the grand award.

Angluben, 16, competed in Science, Mathematics, and Essay Writing in English; Liu competed in English Essay and Science; San Gabriel in Mathematics and English Essay; Paddit in English Essay; and both Padaco and Fangonilo in Science. The group also brought home each Grand Award in the Academic Achievement and Exemplary Performance award.