The Philippines made a stunning debut at the Asia-Pacific Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (APOAI 2026), winning four medals and tying for sixth place among 18 participating countries.
Notable Achievements in AI Competition
This historic performance establishes a powerful baseline for the country.
Martin Gomez, Executive Director of IOAI PH
Held on June 27, 2026, the event featured 129 students who tackled a rigorous six-hour exam testing their skills in machine learning, mathematical modeling, and algorithmic problem-solving. The competition took place simultaneously across the region, with the Philippine site located at the Ateneo Business Insights Laboratory for Development (BUILD), Ateneo de Manila University.
Leading the team was Noe Nathan Y. Arreza from Philippine Science High School-Calabarzon, who earned the gold by finishing eighth overall. Troy Dylan T. Serapio from the Main Campus secured silver with a 23rd place finish.
Bronze medals were awarded to Daphne Eunice U. Acena of De La Salle University Dasmariñas High School, placing 42nd, and Jhareign S. Solidum of the University of Mindanao Ilang High School, who ranked 52nd.
The Philippine delegation was selected through a merit-based process, emphasizing talent and performance over financial capacity. Martin Gomez noted that this accomplishment reflects the increasing potential of Filipino students in artificial intelligence.
The Office of the Assistant Vice President for Research at Ateneo de Manila highlighted the importance of nurturing this talent, stating that with adequate support, Filipino students can compete with the best in the region.