Bata Korner

By: Boom Boom Cabalona, Kenzo Pascual Wildoer, Christopher Miranda

 

The Philippines has achieved its first-ever gold medal at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), ending an 11-year wait since the country first joined the prestigious programming competition in 2015.
At the 38th IOI, held from August 9 to 16, 2026, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Jerome Austin Te of Jubilee Christian Academy secured the historic gold medal with 361.12 points, placing 32nd among 375 contestants.
His score landed exactly at the official gold-medal threshold for this year’s competition.
The achievement completes an impressive four-year IOI journey for Te: bronze in 2023, silver in 2024, bronze in 2025, and finally gold in 2026. (META)

 

A Filipino scholar is helping bring the study of Philippine language, culture, and society to a new level at one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Dr. Louward Allen Zubiri, a linguist specializing in Philippine
languages, has joined Yale University as a Lector in Filipino (Tagalog) under the Council on Southeast Asia Studies and the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center.
More than teaching Filipino at Yale, Zubiri is leading the creation of the university’s new program in Filipino/Tagalog language and Philippine Studies. (META)

 

12 MEDALS AT JUST SIX YEARS OLD!

At only six years old, Elisha Abanilla Romarate of Sicayab, Dipolog City has already made her mark on the international chess stage after an exceptional campaign at the 24th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships 2026 in Singapore.
Representing the Philippines in the Girls Under-6 division, Elisha competed at Our Tampines Hub during the August 7–17 tournament, which brought together young chess players from across ASEAN and other participating countries. Official tournament records confirm her participation for the Philippines and strong performances in Standard, Rapid, and Blitz chess.
According to information released by the Dipolog City government, Elisha returned home with 12 recognitions when the ASEAN and overall ASEAN+ medal classifications are counted separately: eight gold, three silver, and one bronze. (META)

 

FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL AT 11!

Arzu-Embry began her Illinois PhD path with college textbooks at six.
Wonder Embry was homeschooling her own daughter at that time and noticed that the girl was actually following all of the material.
I started reading to her out of my own college books, she said. She already understood all of that college material at just six years old.
At 11 the family enrolled her at the local county college in Illinois. By that point her high school career was already completely finished.
Academically and mentally she was prepared for it, her mother said. She simply did not want to put any kind of cap on her own daughter or hold that girl back in any way. (META)
Sources: Regent University,
Chicago Maroon

 

Bianca Jeannot, 22, graduated from the College of New Rochelle with a bachelor’s degree in English, a certificate in forensic science, and an outstanding 3.89 GPA while overcoming homelessness and extraordinary personal challenges.
Her achievement reflects years of determination and resilience. While pursuing her education, Bianca worked four jobs and served as the sole caregiver for her two older brothers. Her eldest brother, Paul, 34, has stage 4 kidney disease and has been on dialysis for more than a decade, while Michael, 26, has Down syndrome and requires constant supervision.
Despite carrying these responsibilities, Bianca earned Cum Laude honors and never lost sight of her academic goals.
Bianca’s story is a powerful reminder that perseverance can shine even through the toughest circumstances. Her graduation is more than a personal milestone, it is an inspiring example of courage, commitment, and the strength to keep moving forward when life presents its greatest challenges. (META)