A 15-year-old student from San Jose, Batangas secured a gold medal at the International Junior Mathematical Olympiad in Indonesia and at the World International Mathematical Olympiad in Malaysia.
RJ Felix of the Philippine Science High School CALABARZON Region has been given the status of world champion, surpassing 20 other students from other countries.
Felix stood out and emerged victorious despite the pressure.
"It was very pressuring to have a lot of people from different countries from different schools, [be]cause while I'm comfortable here in our country, there are still other students that I don't know," Felix said.
Felix underwent rigorous review and mental conditioning, guided by his dedicated teacher and coach, Romeo Madrona Jr.
"Since Grade 7, nakita ko 'yung willingness to learn, and ‘yung seriousness na makuha 'yung award na gusto niyang makuha sa Math competitions," Madrona said.
From an early age, Felix displayed a passion for numbers, excelling in solving math equations.
"Hindi ako nag-specify ng kahit anong profession kay RJ. Ang gusto ko lang [is] when he becomes an adult [ay] magkaroon siya ng significant contributions sa buong mundo," Marj Felix, his mother, said.
Felix is also talented in playing the violin. However, when it comes to mathematics, he is in a league of his own.
He aspires to become a radiologist.
"Dahil kasi kapag meron kang gifts balewala naman kapag hindi mo siya gamitin para sa ibang tao... we are defined by the people we affect," he added.
His next goal, along with his coach, is to compete in the Philippine Math Olympiad and the International Math Olympiad.
