The Philippine team bagged prestigious titles in the ALOHA Mental Arithmetic International Competition at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Center in Kuala Lumpur on July 30.

Darylyn Faith Fabilane, 11, from Rizal and Rheana Yasmin Campos, 10, from Caloocan emerged grand champions of the competition that drew 700 students from Bangladesh, Croatia, China, Canada, Cambodia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Panama, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Venezuela and the Philippines, according to a news release posted on the website of Philippine embassy in Malaysia on Thursday.

Jake Conner Yao, 9, from San Juan City was crowned champion while Ryan Warren Merdegia, 9, of Pampanga, brought home the second runner-up title.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Cata Tibayan Yao, the mother of Yao, said she is very proud of her son and the rest of the Philippine delegates for making headway in the prestigious arithmetic tilt, which provides a platform for young learners to showcase their arithmetic and mathematical abilities.

“It’s a huge milestone for Conner since it is his first-ever international competition. As parents, we always remind him that success only comes if there is hard work, grit and passion. In addition to that, Conner’s recent victory (trophy and medal) is his gift to himself since the day of the competition fell on his 7th birthday,” she said.

The arithmetic excellence of the young champions was developed through ALOHA’s innovative mathematical techniques.

The program not only focuses on enhancing their mathematical skills but also aims to instill a passion for learning.

‘Big impact in the global arena’

Ivy Sato, chief executive officer of ALOHA Mental Arithmetic Philippines, said the recent competition shows that young Filipinos can unlock their full potential and make a significant impact in the global arena as long as they are given adequate support back home.

“Our young Filipinos can compete with the best of other countries. We just [have to] be positive with our studies and training and seek for the best program that can develop you in your education in particular and in life in general,” she said in a separate interview with PNA.

“We look forward [to] expanding ALOHA in the Philippines. It is a program that can push our youth a step further in excelling in mathematics,” she added.

The Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur hailed the students for their remarkable performance.

“The Philippine Embassy extended its heartfelt congratulations to the students for their outstanding performance in the 2023 Aloha International Competition and for being a shining example of the brilliance and potential of the Filipino youth,” it said in the news release. (PNA)