Championing Filipino Talent: DOST-SEI recognizes global STEM medalists

“As cliché as it may sound, but hard work really does pay off,” said Wins Keinrich Chen, gold medalist of the 2nd International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO).

Chen, along with other brilliant young Filipinos, was recognized for his exemplary performance in the global stage during the 2025 Recognition Program for Philippine Teams in International STEM Olympiads on October 27, 2025, in Quezon City.

This year, 33 Filipino students proudly carried the national flag in various international STEM competitions, collectively bringing home 1 gold, 5 silver, and 10 bronze medals, along with several honorable mentions.

It was also a milestone year for the Philippines, which successfully hosted the 2025 International Biology Olympiad for the first time at the Ateneo de Manila University, where two Filipino delegates bagged bronze medals.

Below is the list of the Philippine delegates to the international STEM Olympiads:

36th International Biology Olympiad 

Quezon City, Philippines | July 20-27, 2025

Team Leader – Edward Kevin B. Bragais

AWARDEES	SCHOOL	AWARD
Min Sung G. Lee	Philippine Science High School (PSHS) – Main Campus	Bronze
Joefel Matthew G. Tugano	PSHS – Bicol Region Campus	Bronze
Evrald Keinth G. Villaflor	PSHS – Ilocos Region Campus	Merit Citation
Samuel Nathan K. Li	De La Salle University – STEM	Participant

 

57th International Chemistry Olympiad  

Dubai, United Arab Emirates | July 5-14, 2025

Team Leader – Dr. Hilbert Magpantay

AWARDEES	SCHOOL	AWARD
Mohammad Nur G. Casib	PSHS – Central Mindanao Campus	Silver
Kyush Cian G. Cabilino	PSHS – Main Campus	Bronze
Ogden Michael B. Javier	PSHS – Main Campus	Bronze
Rex Alphonse Reventar	PSHS – Main Campus	Bronze

 

21st International Geography Olympiad 

Bangkok, Thailand | July 26 to August 1, 2025

Team Leader: Mr. Russel Glen Odi

AWARDEES	SCHOOL	AWARD
Thadeus I. Trazo	Dole Philippines School	Bronze
Lemiel LJ L. Acuña	PSHS – Southern Mindanao Campus	Participant
Dan Marius D. Albarina	Vinzons Pilot High School	Participant
Jacob Keane C. Lontoc	PSHS – CALABARZON Campus	Participant

 

66th International Mathematical Olympiad  

Queensland, Australia  | July 10-20, 2025

Team Leader – Ms. Hazel Joy G. Shi

Deputy Team Leader – Mr. Kerish S. Villegas

AWARDEES	SCHOOL	AWARD
Jerome Austin N. Te	Jubilee Christian Academy	Silver
Ervin Joshua Bautista	Southville International School and Colleges	Bronze
Mark Justin Villafuerte	De La Salle University Integrated School – Manila	Honorable Mention
Matthew Andrei Go	Sacred Heart – Ateneo de Cebu	Participant
Nathan Gabriel Neria	Ateneo de Manila Senior High School	Participant
Luke Sebastian C. Sy	Grace Christian College	Participant

 

2nd International Nuclear Science Olympiad  

Selangor, Malaysia | July 30 to August 6, 2025

Team Leader – Ms. Kristine Marie R. Dean

Deputy Team Leader - Mr. Jeffrey D. Tare

AWARDEES	SCHOOL	AWARD
Wins Keinrich Chen	Saint Jude Catholic School	Gold
Nouel Christian Amaguin	Manila Science High School	Silver
Jeremiah Auza	PSHS – Central Visayas Campus	Silver
Shaun Mannix Yap	Saint Jude Catholic School	Silver

 

18th International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics  

Mumbai, India | August 11-25, 2025

Team Leaders – Mr. Russel Glenn C.  Odi & Ms. Lieza Crisostomo

AWARDEES	SCHOOL	AWARD
Elaiah S. Asperin	PSHS – Main Campus	Bronze
Kyush Cian G. Cabilino	PSHS – Main Campus	Honorable Mention
Ethan James Cheng	Saint Jude Catholics School	Participant
Justine Aaron Co	Saint Jude Catholic School	Participant

 

37th International Olympiad in Informatics   

Sucre, Bolivia | July 27- August 3, 2025

Team leader –  Mr. Kevin Charles Atienza

Deputy Team Leader –  Mr. Gerard Francis M. Ortega

AWARDEES	SCHOOL	AWARD
Jerome Austin N. Te	Jubilee Christian Academy	Bronze
Hans Gabriel de Vera	PSHS – Main Campus	Honorable Mention
Yhuan Ceabastian Garcia	Doña Hortencia Salas Benedictor National High School	Participant
EdRonn James Panti	PSHS – Main Campus	Participant

 

55th International Physics Olympiad 

Paris, France | July 17-25, 2025

Coach – Dr. Jose Perico H. Esguerra & Dr. Junius Andre Balista

AWARDEES	SCHOOL	AWARD
Emannuel Laforteza	PSHS – Main Campus	Honorable Mention
Alfonso Miguel Dizon	PSHS – Main Campus	Honorable Mention
Reuben Joseph Felix	Philippine Science High School – CALABARZON Region Campus	Participant

 

One supportive community

The recognition program gathered distinguished leaders and advocates from the science and technology community, each expressing pride and optimism for the students’ accomplishments.

DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services Maridon O. Sahagun lauded the awardees for their dedication and skill, emphasizing that their achievements not only brought honor to the nation but also contributed to building a strong foundation for future STEM advancements.

Meanwhile, Ebenezer A. Beloy, OIC-Director III of the Department of Education’s Bureau of Curriculum Development, highlighted the importance of continuous learning and active mentorship in the students’ journeys. He encouraged the awardees to keep their passion alive and to mentor the next generation of STEM enthusiasts.

Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino, Chairperson of the Philippine Senate’s Committee on Science and Technology, also sent a message of support to the young olympians.

“Kahanga-hanga ang inyong paghakot ng mga medalya para sa bansa. Ang inyong karangalan ay patunay na world-class ang ating mga estudyante at kayang makipagsabayan sa pinakamagagaling na kabataan sa buong mundo,” Sen. Bam expressed.

The event also underscored the invaluable support of coaches, schools, parents, and partner institutions whose guidance helped nurture the students’ talents. This collective effort, coupled with the students’ perseverance, continues to strengthen the Philippines’ growing reputation as a hub for world-class STEM talent.

Reaffirming its commitment to this thriving STEM ecosystem, DOST-SEI announced that all Filipino students who win gold, silver, or bronze medals in any of the world’s prestigious science and mathematics olympiads will automatically qualify for a DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship.

This incentive covers medalists from nine (9) DOST-SEI-accredited international olympiads, namely:

International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)

International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)

International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI)

International Biology Olympiad (IBO)

International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA)

International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO)

International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO)

International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) / European Physics Olympiad

International Geography Olympiad (IGeO)

Medalists may avail themselves of this scholarship, provided they meet DOST-SEI’s basic eligibility criteria. Through this initiative, DOST-SEI hopes that the country’s young champions will not only stand as symbols of excellence, but also emerge as leaders who will inspire a new generation of passionate, persevering, and science-driven Filipinos.