Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (third from right) together with the Philippine delegation to the 51st International Chemistry Olympiad headed by Philippine Science High School-Calabarzon campus director Dr. Jose Andaya (rightmost).

It was a success for the Filipinos in the recently held 51st International Chemistry Olympiad (ICHO) in the busy and alluring city of Paris, as reported by the Philippine Embassy in France.

The Philippines was represented by the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) students headed by Israel Aguba, Arthur Rainer de Belen, Julius Macling and Michael Cole Tantoco.

The Filipinos took home the silver and bronze accolades against other top-performing countries in chemistry and other science-related fields.

This is the highest performance the Philippines ever had in the competition

“This is the highest performance the Philippines ever had in the competition,” said PSHS-CALABARZON campus director Dr. Jose Andaya.

The students of the PSHS competed alongside 300 other students from 79 countries and displayed their grit and mettle in chemistry both on the theoretical and practical examinations.

ICHO is held every year to pave the way for secondary level students who excel in chemistry.

Its aims are to stimulate students’ interest in chemistry through solving of independent and creative chemical problems and promote international contacts in chemistry, friendships between young scientific workers of different nationalities, cooperation among pupils and exchange of pedagogical and scientific experience in chemistry.

Each country sends a delegate composed of four students who will get tested on their knowledge and skills in Chemistry.

The competition is composed of a five-hour laboratory practical exam and a five-hour written theoretical examination on separate days with the practical examination.