BACOLOD CITY — Twins Christian Jacob and Christopher James Yap, sixth graders at the St. John’s Institute (SJI) here, were recognized by the City Council for their first-place finish in the 2018 Metrobank-MTAP (Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines)-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC) National Finals.
The 13-year-old boys ruled the Grade 6 Team Competition of the contest held at the Metrobank Plaza Auditorium in Makati City on March 24.
Before proceeding to the council’s session on Wednesday afternoon, the twins met Mayor Evelio Leonardia at the City Mayor’s Office, with their parents Jimmy and Carmen Yap, and coach Joan Go Ping.
The City Council resolution acknowledged the feat of the Bacolod twins to encourage students to excel more in their respective fields.
The boys received a copy of the resolution from Vice Mayor El Cid Familiarian and the council members, including the author Councilor Cindy Rojas.
“We enjoyed the competition because it is our passion,” Christian Jacob said after they were honored by the City Council.
His brother, Christopher James, said they reviewed daily for the competition.
“It was nerve-wracking, but after a while, we were very overwhelmed and got answered prayers,” he added.
The twins were among the 48 students from 30 public and private schools who advanced to the final leg of the competition, out of the 574,823 students who competed in the nationwide elimination rounds.
To win first place, they defeated the teams from Rainbow of Angels Learning Center of Butuan City, and St. Philomena Academy of Lipa City, who settled for second and third places, respectively.
According to the organizers, the national finals showcased the mathematical proficiency of Grades 6 and 10 students in the challenge that consisted of solving complex mathematical problems mentally within 15 seconds and additional rounds of 30-second and one-minute questions using pen and paper.
During the 11th International Mathematics Competition held in Singapore on July 31 to Aug. 3, 2015, Christopher James also won the gold medal while Christian Jacob took the silver.
Rojas said the Yap boys could be considered “wonder twins” because they not only excel in academics, but are champion varsity players and are musically-gifted as well.
In 2013, the boys performed during the Spring Piano Recital in Nuremburg, Germany. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
