Ilocos Norte student Cassandra Rasos Crowned World Champion in Hong Kong Math Olympiad

Ashley Cassandra Rasos Crowned World Champion in Hong Kong Math Olympiad

Flying Ketchup
25 August 2026

All Photos: Michael Malvar

A young Ilocos Norte student has brought pride to the Philippines after emerging as champion in the Senior Secondary category of the Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad. Ashley Cassandra Rasos, a Grade 11 student of Sarrat National High School, topped her division against students from different countries.

She competed in the category covering Levels 10, 11, and 12 and represented the Philippines in the international competition. Her victory gave Sarrat National High School another reason to celebrate its growing reputation in mathematics competitions. The achievement also shows how Filipino students can compete and excel on the international academic stage.

Who Is Ashley Cassandra Rasos?

Ashley Cassandra Rasos is a Grade 11 student from Sarrat National High School in Ilocos Norte. She represented the Philippines in the Senior Secondary category of the Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad. The category included students from Levels 10, 11, and 12, putting Rasos against competitors from different countries. Despite the level of competition, she emerged as the champion of her division. 

A Champion From Sarrat National High School

Rasos’ victory also brought international recognition to Sarrat National High School. The school has produced students who have performed strongly in mathematics competitions, including other representatives who joined the same event. Her win adds another international achievement to the school’s growing list of academic accomplishments. It also highlights the opportunities available to students who develop their skills in mathematics at a young age. For Rasos, the competition became an opportunity to represent both her school and the Philippines.

Other Sarrat Students Also Earned Awards

Rasos was not the only student from Sarrat National High School who received recognition in the competition. Kurt Arjan Palalay and Immanuel Gamayo competed in the Secondary 1 category, with Gamayo receiving a Merit Award. Clark Kent Malaqui and Patrick Jirah Cabasaan competed in Secondary 2, where they earned Bronze Awards. Except for Cabasaan, the Sarrat representatives were first-time participants in the competition. Their results made the international event an especially notable achievement for the school.

Sarrat National High School representatives and their results:

Ashley Cassandra Rasos — Champion, Senior Secondary category

Kurt Arjan Palalay — competed in Secondary 1

Immanuel Gamayo — Merit Award, Secondary 1

Clark Kent Malaqui — Bronze Award, Secondary 2

Patrick Jirah Cabasaan — Bronze Award, Secondary 2

Guided by Coach Michael Malvar

Rasos and the Sarrat delegation competed under the guidance of coach Michael Malvar. His role was to support the students as they represented their school and the Philippines in the international mathematics competition. The delegation’s performance resulted in several recognitions beyond Rasos’ championship. The Philippine delegation also received four distinctions during the competition, namely the Boole Award, Leibniz Award, Euler Award, and Euclid Award. 

Ilocos Norte’s Strong Math Competition Record

Rasos’ achievement is part of a broader record of strong performances by students from Ilocos Norte in international mathematics competitions. In 2024, Sarrat National High School student Brian Jansen Vallejo was recognized as a World Champion in the World International Mathematical Olympiad in the Secondary 1 category.

The Philippine Senate later cited Vallejo and other Filipino students who won awards at the competition. Another Sarrat graduate, Ma. Cassandra Reich Duque, became a WIMO World Champion and later received a full scholarship to the Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen. These achievements show that the province has produced students capable of competing at a high level in international mathematics. Rasos’ latest victory adds another impressive chapter to that record.

Why Her Victory Matters

The achievement of the Ilocos Norte student is more than just a personal academic victory. It demonstrates the ability of Filipino students to compete with young mathematicians from other countries. International competitions also give students opportunities to test their problem-solving skills against challenging mathematics problems.

Success in these events can help raise the profile of Philippine schools and encourage more students to pursue mathematics and science. Rasos’ achievement may also inspire other young Filipinos to see academic competitions as opportunities to represent the country.

A Proud Moment for the Philippines

Ashley Cassandra Rasos’ championship gives Filipinos another reason to celebrate young talent in the country. Coming from Sarrat National High School, she demonstrated that world-class academic achievements are not limited to students from major urban centers.

Her success also puts attention on Ilocos Norte and the students and educators developing mathematics talent in the province. Together with the achievements of her fellow Sarrat representatives, the result reflects the potential of Filipino students in international competitions. For many Filipinos, the story of this Ilocos Norte student is a reminder that talent can come from anywhere.

Making the Country Proud

Ashley Cassandra Rasos has made her school, province, and country proud after becoming champion of the Senior Secondary category at the Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad. Her achievement came alongside awards earned by several other students from Sarrat National High School.

With the guidance of coach Michael Malvar, the delegation successfully represented the Philippines in an international mathematics competition. Rasos’ victory also continues a growing tradition of strong mathematics performances from students in Ilocos Norte. The story of this Ilocos Norte student proves that Filipino youth can make their mark on the world stage through talent, preparation, and determination.

Ilocos Norte eyed as economic hub in Southeast Asia

Ilocos Norte eyed as economic hub in Southeast Asia

Louella Desiderio 
The Philippine Star 
March 9, 2025

MANILA, Philippines — The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center and the provincial government of Ilocos Norte have teamed up to promote the province as a key economic hub in Southeast Asia through the implementation of PPP projects.

In a statement, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed on Feb. 28 at the PPP Center office in Quezon City.

The event was led by PPP Center executive director Ma. Cynthia Hernandez and Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos-Manotoc, with NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and PPP Center deputy executive director Jeffrey Manalo in attendance.

The MOA aims to improve infrastructure development and spur economic growth in Ilocos Norte by focusing on a robust pipeline of PPP projects.

The parties will be working together in the various stages of the PPP implementation process, including project review, approval, procurement, implementation and monitoring.

To transform the province into an economic hub in the region, there are plans to revive international flights to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan from the Laoag International Airport.

This would boost tourism and increase connectivity between Ilocos Norte and major international markets.

In addition, the partnership will push for policies to support the agriculture sector through the organization of cooperatives to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

The parties will also work together in promoting innovations in renewable energy, data centers and manufacturing to encourage both local and global investments and create high-quality jobs.

“By leveraging the strengths of both the public and private sectors, we can mobilize resources, enhance efficiency and ensure long-term sustainability in our development efforts,” Balisacan said.

He said PPPs play a crucial role in accelerating economic growth and the PPP Center can facilitate the implementation of such projects.

The government is pushing for PPPs to address the country’s infrastructure gaps and tap into the private sector’s expertise.

“I hope the activities outlined in the MOA and the lineup of proposed projects by the provincial government inspire other local government units and implementing agencies to explore PPPs as a means for rapid and sustainable economic transformation,” Balisacan said.

Laoag stadium wins global architecture award

FEM Wins ArchDaily 2025 Building of the Year Awards 

wtadesignstudio.com
February 20, 2025

The Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium, designed by WTA Architecture and Design Studio, has been honored with the prestigious ArchDaily 2025 Building of the Year Award. This 12,000-capacity track and field stadium, located in Laoag City, Philippines, serves as a central social hub for the residents of Ilocos Norte. Its strategic placement adjacent to the Mariano Marcos State University and opposite Rizal Park enhances its accessibility and significance within the community.

A standout feature of the stadium is its open southern end, which seamlessly integrates an amphitheater and a sloping lawn leading towards Rizal Park. This design fosters an inclusive environment, transforming the stadium into a barrier-free public space that encourages community engagement. The use of locally produced corrugated sheets for the stadium's envelope not only pays homage to local materials but also promotes sustainability in monumental architecture. 

The ArchDaily Building of the Year Awards are determined through public votes, reflecting the collective appreciation of the global architectural community. The recognition of the Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium underscores its architectural excellence and its significant impact on both the local community and the broader field of architecture. 

This accolade adds to the stadium's growing list of honors, including the 2024 Golden A' Design Award in Architecture, Building, and Structure Design. These awards highlight the innovative approach of WTA Architecture and Design Studio in creating spaces that are both functional and socially meaningful.

The success of the Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium serves as an inspiration for future architectural projects, demonstrating how thoughtful design can enhance community interaction and contribute to the cultural fabric of a region.

Team PH garnered overall championship in China Math Olympiad

Team PH reigns in China Math Olympiad

Story by Leilanie Adriano
Inquirer.net
08 January 2024

LAOAG CITY, Philippines — Team Philippines emerged overall champion in the World International Mathematical Olympiad (WIMO) finals in Shenzhen, China bagging 10 gold, 10 silver and 20 bronze medals.

In a social media post Tuesday, the Math Olympiads Training League Inc. (MOTLI) shared that Jenylle Nyka Lee, Carsten Edmund Ang, Allen Iver Barroga and Ma. Cassandra Reich Duque led the charge during the event held Jan. 3 to 6.

Barroga and Duque are both from Sarrat National High School (SNHS) in Ilocos Norte.

Lee represents Chiang Kai Shek College and Ang is from the Chinese International School, both in Metro Manila.

“This outstanding accomplishment is a testament to the nation’s longstanding dedication in fostering excellence in the field of mathematics,” MOTLI said in a statement.

Duque is the first Filipino student to receive a full scholarship at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen for her tertiary education. The university ranked 34th among all Ivy League schools in the world in 2024.

The graduating mathlete won the championship in the senior secondary category.

Marietta Yap, principal of SNHS, told the Philippine News Agency that the Duque family has yet to make a final decision on the offer.

“That will be carefully discussed and decided over by the family,” she said.

WIMO 2024 was participated in by more than 15 countries, with 67 representatives from the Philippines. 

Ilocano Ganal becomes first Filipino to play in Liga ACB

Ilocano Ganal becomes first Filipino to play in Liga ACB

fastbreak.com.ph

October 14, 2024

Ilocano guard Aaron Ganal has made history as the first-ever Filipino to play in Spain’s Liga ACB, which is regarded as one of the strongest domestic leagues in the world alongside the NBA.

Ganal made his Liga ACB debut with the MoraBanc Andorra team during their 112-87 victory against Básquet Coruña on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila).

The 6-foot-1 guard played for nearly a minute and scored three points, successfully hitting three of his four free throw attempts for MoraBanc Andorra.

Ganal first signed a one-year deal with MoraBanc Andorra in August 2022 but did not see action in the Liga ACB. He returned to the team this year.

The 20-year-old guard previously played for FC Barcelona’s youth basketball team and was invited to join Spain’s Under-16 national team pool.

Gilas Pilipinas Youth Team official Enzo Flojo previously stated that Ganal considered playing for the Philippine team but did not go through with it, as he would have to renounce his Andorran citizenship.

“‪Would’ve been terrific to see him part of the Batang Gilas pool, but getting a Phi passport means he’d have to renounce his Andorran citizenship. Dual citizenship is forbidden in Andorran law,” Flojo wrote.

Ganal’s father, Bhoyet, was born and raised in Ilocos Norte and previously played as a naturalized player for the Andorran national basketball team.

Filipino Foods make waves in Hawaii

In Kahului, Balai Pata Is a Celebration of Filipino Fare

Crispy pata, malunggay noodles and shrimp ukoy attest to Maui chef Joey Macadangdang’s resilience.

Melissa Chang

Honolulu Magazine

06 August 2024

“Chang!” Lee Anne Wong yelled across the way at the Maui Agricultural Festival. “You gotta try Joey Macadangdang’s Balai Pata!”

“I just went last night,” I replied, proud of myself for being ahead of the curve.

 “Oh my God!” we yelled in unison. “The garlic noodles!”

What’s good enough for a Top Chef contender is good enough for me. Wong loves Balai Pata so much that she went there for her birthday dinner and got three orders of Macadangdang’s fantastic garlic butter malunggay noodles.

Macadangdang opened Balai Pata in Kahului last October, which would not be so remarkable except that he and his wife Juvy were displaced by the Lahaina fire in August. Their home was spared but rendered unlivable, so they slept at Joey’s Kitchen, their restaurant in Napili Plaza, for weeks. During that time, the Macadangdangs opened up that restaurant as a makeshift shelter for other displaced people and cooked and donated up to 1,500 meals per day. And they closed their more upscale restaurant, Macadangdang in Ka‘anapali.

Balai Pata’s food is delicious and by today’s standards, fairly reasonable. Go to eat. Definitely go to support. Either way, you will leave satisfied.

In Ilocano, balai means house and pata means leg, so the name literally translates to “house of leg”—a house standing on the legs of Macadangdang’s ancestors in Ilocos Norte, according to the restaurant’s website. But it can also refer to one of its signature dishes, the ginormous crispy pata ($32)—a pork knuckle that’s braised and then deep-fried, served with a slightly tangy sawsawan sauce to complement the extreme richness. You can get one to share and still have leftovers.

I had an array of signature appetizers, like lumpia ($15—you can’t go to a Filipino restaurant and not have lumpia); tocino pork belly bao buns ($15), which were among my favorite bites; pakpak ti manok inasal ($14), which are moist and flavorful chicken wings with atchara sauce; pinakbet ($16), a vegetable stew served with pork belly, though you can customize the protein; and of course, the garlic malunggay noodles ($12).

Two other dishes have Macadangdang’s twist on traditional. The shrimp ukoy ($15), normally served as a fritter, has the fritters attached to the shrimp head, which stands upright on a skewer for a more instagrammable presentation. The other is sisig BP style ($16): Normally served on a sizzling platter or skillet, Macadangdang’s comes with large butter lettuce leaves so you can eat it as a wrap. I love this because it gives the dish a fresher flavor and is more interactive, which is just fun.

If you still have room after all that pata, of course there’s halo halo and banana lumpia for dessert. I also highly recommend the freshly squeezed fruit juice of the day—I got to have melon, which was so nice with the more tart sauces.

If you’re unfamiliar with Filipino cuisine, there are also kale Caesar salad, beet salad, bouillabaisse, fried rice, ramen and steak. Plus, there’s ample free parking—the restaurant is in the Triangle Square strip mall near Kahului Airport.