A Grade 10 student has become a source of pride for Agusan National High School in Butuan City after receiving more than 40 awards during the school’s recognition ceremony.

The video of 16-year-old John Michael Limbaga receiving the awards went viral online.

He also received the highest honors award.

During the school’s recognition rites, Limbaga received up to 41 medals and certificates from various local and international competitions he joined throughout the year, most of which were conducted online.

“Nagsimula ang pag-compete ko sa mga competitions ngayon lang Grade 10 kasi ngayon ko lang na realize na kaya ko na talaga ipanalo ang competition,” Limbaga said.

“Philippine international Math and Science Olympiad Mathematics Category making Agusan National High School as one of the most outstanding schools in the Philippines in Math and Science,” Limbaga’s mother, Minda, said.

Minda said despite his abilities, they chose to keep him in a regular class instead of enrolling him in a special program to avoid putting too much pressure on him.

She added she did not expect her son to receive that many awards, as they initially thought he had only won around five or six during an awarding event in Manila.

“Hindi ko akalain na ganun karami kasi expected ko lang 5 lang or 6 yun lang ang nakuha ni MJ doon sa Maynila,” Minda added.

Minda also became emotional during the ceremony when her son handed his medals to her.

“Very emotional ako nung time nay un kasi hindi alam na ganon pala kalaki ang achievement ng anak ko,” Minda said.

She said she is proud of his dedication and assured her full support for his dreams moving forward.

“Umiyak talaga ako doon sa saya at sa tuwa kasi siguro, time niya yun ni MJ na magshine siya, yun ang binigay sa kanya ni God,” Minda added.