Warren Wade Casuga, a talented nine-year-old from Holy Infant Academy in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the Absolute Winner in the Natural Science category at the VII Copernicus Olympiad Global Round. This prestigious event took place in Houston, Texas, and included participants from 16 countries.
Outstanding Achievement Against Global Competitors
This victory marks the first time the Philippines has claimed the overall championship in the international Olympiad.
Department of Education Schools Division of Calapan City
- Casuga won a gold medal and an iPad.
- He outperformed competitors from the United States, Brazil, China, and more.
Casuga's win is significant not only for his personal achievements but also for representing the Philippines on a global stage. His success symbolizes the potential of Filipino students to excel in international academic competitions.
In addition to Casuga's gold medal, the Philippine delegation achieved notable results in the Physics and Astronomy category. Benedict Irvin Drex Rizon from the Philippine Science High School–Central Visayas Campus earned a silver medal, while Khiane Lanz Dalut, also from the same school, took home a bronze.
The local community, including the Department of Education and local government units, has expressed pride in Casuga's accomplishment. Holy Infant Academy's principal, Alona V. Cueto, emphasized that this victory demonstrates the capabilities of young Filipino learners when provided with quality education and mentorship.
Warren's father, Wally Casuga, highlighted the importance of such achievements in inspiring more Filipino children to engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and to seek support for academic competitions.
The Copernicus Olympiad is renowned for fostering young talent through a series of qualifying rounds, culminating in this global event, which serves as a platform for the world's best young minds.