Grade 12 'math whiz' wins Philippine Mathematical Olympiad for 3rd year in a row

A Grade 12 student has won the Philippine Mathematical Olympiad (PMO) for a third year in a row.

Bryce Ainsley Sanchez from Grace Christian College bested over two dozen other finalists at the competition held online last March 19 to 20.

According to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Science and Education Institute, the "math whiz" edged out International Physics Olympiad silver medalist and consistent PMO finalist, Grade 12 student Steven Reyes of Saint Jude Catholic School, who was named first runner-up.

The second runner-up was Grade 10 student Raphael Dylan Dalida of Philippine Science High School – Main Campus, who was the first runner up in last year’s PMO, and a bronze medalist alongside Sanchez at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) the same year.

“Bryce’s achievement is all the more notable and exemplary given the challenges that everyone—most especially students like him and his fellow competitors—have had to face over the past year,” said DOST Science Education Institute Director Josette Biyo said in a statement.

“They all truly deserve to be called Filipino Olympians,” she added.

The PMO is the Philippines' most prestigious nationwide math competition for secondary students who compete for the honor of representing the country at the annual IMO.

Now on its 23rd edition, it is described as an "annual proving ground for some of the country’s brightest young minds." —Margret Claire Layug/JCB, GMA News