25 August 2026
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.
