(Photo courtesy of DepEd Tayo Special Education Center for the Gifted-Kalayaan)
By Shermel R. Carlos and Elhanan Pamesa
Grade 4 student Francis Deinmel Legaspi from the Special Education Center for the Gifted (SPED-G) proved his superior mathematical prowess globally as he achieved a remarkable feat, making not only the institution proud, but also the entire Olongapo City and the Philippines.
After competing with over a hundred participants from 22 different countries worldwide, including the United States, China, Thailand, Brazil, Vietnam and Singapore, the 10-year-old mathematician and Philippine bet emerged as the victor.
As he returns to the country, Francis will be bringing home the gold from the Grade 4 level of the 4th Copernicus Olympiad Mathematics Global Round held at Columbia University, New York, US from July 9 to July 13.
In their official Facebook post yesterday, SPED-G congratulated Legaspi and also celebrated his “well-deserved victory.” SPED-G thanked him for giving pride to the school and to the whole country.
Meanwhile, Legaspi’s father, Dennis, extended his gratitude to SPED-G, to the boy’s personal math tutor, and to Senator Sonny Angara, who has been helping his son ever since the young wizard started joining international contests at the age of six.
‘Overwhelming pride’ Jocelyn Ramos, the boy’s grandmother, also took to social media to express her “overwhelming pride” over their eldest grandchild’s international achievement.
This was not the first time that the young Legaspi won an international math competition. In 2020, he clinched silver in the 2020 World International Mathematical Olympiad (WIMO) and qualified for the 2021 South East Asia Mathematical Olympiad Global Round.
The little genius previously bagged medals from the Philippine International Math Olympiad, Hong Kong International Math Olympiad, and the Thailand International Math Olympiad as well.
His notable triumphs, one after another, demonstrate the excellence and potential of Filipino students on the global stage. By securing the gold medal, Legaspi has not only displayed his mathematical abilities but also served as an inspiration to aspiring mathematicians across the nation and the globe. FREEPORT INSIDER
