The Philippines placed sixth overall at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (APOAI 2026), with its eight-member team winning one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.
The competition drew more than 100 secondary school students from 18 countries and tested participants in machine learning, mathematical modeling, and algorithmic problem-solving through a six-hour examination held under international contest conditions.
The Philippine site was hosted at the Ateneo Business Insights Laboratory for Development (BUILD) of Ateneo de Manila University.
Leading the Philippine delegation was Noe Nathan Y. Arreza of Philippine Science High School–CALABARZON Campus, who ranked eighth overall and won the country’s lone gold medal.
Troy Dylan T. Serapio of Philippine Science High School–Main Campus placed 23rd and took silver.
Bronze medals went to Daphne Eunice U. Acena of De La Salle University Dasmariñas High School, who ranked 42nd, and Jhareign S. Solidum of the University of Mindanao Ilang High School, who placed 52nd.
Ryan James L. Alfaro of Philippine Science High School–CALABARZON Campus and Sean Marcus N. Castillo of Philippine Science High School–Central Luzon Campus received honorable mentions after placing 88th and 95th, respectively.
Also part of the Philippine team were Ellison Matthew S. Ang of Philippine Science High School–Main Campus and Aretha Cai Faustine M. Sy of St. Scholastica’s Academy of Marikina.
The team was selected through a national screening process organized by the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence Philippines (IOAI PH), which said participation in the local program is free for students.
“This historic performance establishes a powerful baseline for the country,” said IOAI PH executive director Martin Gomez.
“This result belongs to far more than the students who sat the exam. It is a testament to the coaches who trained this team, the local staff who maintained competition integrity, and the families, schools, and communities who championed these students every step of the way.”
