By Jennifer P. Rendon
A Grade 5 student of Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo took home the crown in a national quiz bee competition in Pasay City.
Matthew Defensor, 10, bested all other participants of the DIWA Pasiklaban sa Paaralan – elementary level (Grades 5 and 6) held at the SMX Convention Center at SM Mall of Asia on Jan 31 to Feb 3, 2020.
The DIWA Pasiklaban sa Paaralan is an annual quiz bee, which covers the subjects Science, Mathematics, Filipino, Araling Panlipunan, English, Literature and General Information.
Defensor represented Regions 6, 7, and 8 to the all-expense-paid national finals after winning the division and regional eliminations.
He eventually competed alongside grade 6 students from all over the country.
Defensor brought home the champion trophy and P10,000 worth of Sodexho gift certificates.
His coach Abigail Peñaflorida won P7,500 worth of gift certificates while a 49-inch Samsung Smart TV was given to his school.
For those who knew Defensor, his well-deserved win did not come as a surprise.
In 2019 alone, he participated in two local and international academic competitions, mostly on Mathematics subject.
He won a gold medal in Mathematics without Borders Spring Round in April; Kangaroo Math 2019; Math League National Level 2019; Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad April 2019 held in Phuket; Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad Heat Round 2019; World Mathematics Invitational in Fukuoka, Japan.
He also brought the gold medal in Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad. In the same competition, he was given the World Champion Trophy for 2019 and World Star Trophy.
Defensor also won given the high distinction award during the Australian Mathematics Competition 2019.
Further, he received the silver award in Vanda International Science Competition 2019 and also won second place During the Western Visayas Word Craft 2019 Flash Fiction Writing.
It doesn’t end there as he also emerged as top scorer in the pressure test round and third place in the final round during the Pasiklaban 2019, Interschool Group Science Competition, Philippine Science High School.
In 2019, he won the championship in the division level of DIWA Pasiklaban. He also won two golds and a silver in Asian Science and Maths Olympiad 2019,
He also bested 400 other participants in Philippine Litgram Quest, The English Congress – Visayas and emerged winner among 26 contestants in Extemporaneous Speaking.
In 2020, Defensor is set to join several competitions in various interests.
