Meet Emil Peterson Borromeo, the newest math wizard of Apayao. This 16-year-old has always been passionate about mathematics since he was young.
This student of the Apayao Science High School (ASHS) recently brought honor and pride to his province after winning a silver medal in the Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad (TIMO) outsmarting over 3000 other student-competitors from around the world.
Borromeo’s interest in mathematics started when he was in pre-school.
He found great satisfaction in solving math problems, and his fascination with numbers grew stronger over the years. He knew that he had a knack for math and decided to pursue it seriously early in his schooling years.
With various awards from academic contests, he is now the most decorated grade 10 student of ASHS, an educational institution in the province known for producing outstanding students in the field of science and mathematics.
"Before I went to nursery school, my father always printed math problems at home, and from that point on I became interested in math. As early as grade school, I was competing in math contests and became a consistent representative of my town, our province, our region, and now our country in various prestigious math contests such as quiz bees, math research proposal writing, and this recent math olympiad," said Borromea in an interview.
However, despite the colorful praises and acclamations he is receiving today, Borromeo's journey to becoming a TIMO silver medalist was not an easy feat. It took him years of hard work, dedication, and discipline to hone his skills and become a top-performing math student in the country.
"Curiousity, creativity and critical thinking are qualities that sets mathletes like myself from others. These key areas are being developed as we solve complex math problems, and these qualities are essential in all aspects of life," he said adding that he was able to develop the said skills through self-discipline coupled with a strict routine, "Progress is earned through years of experience. To be a master of your craft, one must go through a long path and gain valuable experiences and life lessons from it."
His teachers in ASHS, particularly his coach Daine Gamiao, saw his potential and encouraged him to join various math competitions. He competed in local and regional competitions, where he consistently placed in the top 10. He participated in the TIMO Heat Round, where he qualified for the national finals and bagged silver medal that eventually landed him a spot in the roster of Philippine delegation to compete in the TIMO Finals in Thailand.
TIMO is an annual competition that gathers top-performing math students from various countries. It aims to promote mathematical excellence and foster international friendship among young mathematicians.
"Throughout this math journey, I have made friends and bonded with very smart people. I learned how to properly speak in front of other people and acquired many lessons along the way," he added.
When asked about how he can balance his rigorous academic schedule, his personal life, and other interests, he said that developing a good time management scheme can help but determination and optimism make it more manageable. "Just like any other student, I also experience crunch time and hell weeks. I have to make quality outputs and I believe that being determined and optimistic can deliver quality results without having to sacrifice my mental health," he said.
He also left a piece of advice to his fellow academic achievers, "If you are experiencing burnout, I am with you. Remember to breathe, take a break, recharge and find inspiration to continue."
Despite his success, he remains humble and grateful for the opportunities and support that he received. He hopes that his achievement will inspire other young people to pursue their passion for math and science and strive for excellence in whatever they do.
"If you are interested in math and science, keep pursuing and keep sharpening your minds as these will be all worth it. Feed your curiousity by understanding how every concepts work. I believe that you can be where I am today. Competitions like TIMO will not only take you to places but will also give you fun experiences. Always continue to crave for knowledge and excellence in whatever you do," advised Borromeo to young students aspiring to make a name in the world of math.
Borromeo has proven that even from a relatively new province, one can make a mark in the world of mathematics. Indeed, Borromeo's silver medal in TIMO is a testament to the limitless potential of the yApayao youth.
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