9-year-old Filipino tops Copernicus Olympiad

Photo courtesy of PIA Oriental Mindoro

MANILA, Philippines — At just nine years old, Warren Wade Casuga has brought home a first for the Philippines.

The pupil from Holy Infant Academy in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, made history after being named Absolute Winner in the Natural Science category of the VII Copernicus Olympiad Global Round held at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

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Casuga also won the gold medal and placed first overall in his category, besting contestants from 16 countries, including the United States, Brazil, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Mexico, Mongolia, Peru, Romania and Turkey.

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His victory marked the first time the Philippines claimed the overall championship in the international olympiad.

Aside from the gold medal and certificates, Casuga also received a brand-new iPad.

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The Philippine delegation also earned honors in the Physics and Astronomy category.

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Benedict Irvin Drex Rizon of the Philippine Science High School–Central Visayas Campus won the silver medal and was named second-place winner in Category 1 – Physics and Astronomy. Fellow Philippine Science High School student Khiane Lanz Dalut won the bronze medal in the same category.

Casuga’s feat has been celebrated by the Department of Education Schools Division of Calapan City, local government units and community organizations across Oriental Mindoro.

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Holy Infant Academy Principal Alona V. Cueto said Casuga’s performance showed that young Filipino learners can compete and excel globally when given quality education and proper mentorship.

Warren’s father, Wally Casuga, said young achievers like his son could inspire more Filipino children to pursue excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, and encourage greater support for academic competitions.

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The Copernicus Olympiad is an international academic competition that gathers young learners from different countries through qualifying rounds that culminate in the Global Round. /dm