29 July 2019 – The Philippines won the silver and bronze medals in the 51st International Chemistry Olympiad (ICHO) on 21-30 July 2019 in Paris, France.
Represented by Philippine Science High School (PSHS) students, Israel Aguba, Arthur Rainer de Belen, Julius Macling and Michael Cole Tantoco, the Philippines competed with over 300 students from 79 countries and displayed its prowess in chemistry both in the theoretical and practical examinations. This year, de Belen and Aguba successfully collected the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
According to Dr. Jose Andaya, PSHS Cabarzon Campus Director, and Mr. Julius Victorius Saluria, Teacher Coach from the PSHS Main Campus Chemistry Department, this is the highest performance the Philippines ever had in the competition. It may be noted that the Philippines won the bronze medals in the 49th and 50th ICHO in 2017 and 2018.
ICHO is an annual competition for the world’s most talented chemistry students at the secondary school level. It aims to stimulate student interest in chemistry through solving of independent and creative chemical problems and promote international contacts in chemistry, friendships between young scientific workers of different nationalities, cooperation among pupils, and exchange of pedagogical and scientific experience in chemistry.
This article appeared originally at the Embassy of the Philippines – Paris, France.