A Grade 4 student from Oriental Mindoro has turned a global science contest in Houston into a breakthrough moment for the Philippines.
Warren Wade Casuga, 9, of Holy Infant Academy in Calapan City, was named Absolute Winner in Natural Science, Category 1, at the VII Copernicus Olympiad Global Round held at Rice University from January 21 to 26, 2026.
Official results showed the Natural Science Global Round gathered 229 students from 16 countries. Casuga topped that field, earned a gold award, and received a grand prize, an iPad.
The Province of Oriental Mindoro described Casuga as the first Filipino to bring home the competition’s highest honor. PRC Board also reported recognition from DepEd Calapan, the province, and the Calapan City government.
The win matters because the Copernicus Olympiad tests scientific reasoning, analysis, and problem-solving. Students must understand science concepts and use them on difficult questions instead of relying on memorized lessons.
Casuga said preparation helped him stay focused. “Hindi po ako kinabahan while in the contest because po, I prepared for it po,” he said in an interview cited by PEP.
He later described the test as demanding. “Ang mga problems po halo-halo, may science concepts, analysis, at computations,” he told GMA News Online.
After the win, Casuga said the result showed what Filipino students can do globally. “Pinapakita po nito na kaya po nating mga Pilipino makipagsabayan sa international level sa science,” he said.
In Physics and Astronomy, Benedict Irvin Drex Rizon of Philippine Science High School, Central Visayas Campus earned silver and placed second in Category 1. Khiane Lanz Dalut won bronze in the same category.
Casuga’s victory shows what early training, discipline, and support can produce. A young student from Calapan City entered an international academic field and returned home with the top honor in his category.
