Grade 10 student from Cagayan is gold medalist at Int’l English Language Olympiad in Vietnam

Tabuk City, Kalinga – A grade 10 student from Aparri, Cagayan brought home a gold medal after he outsmarted competitors from other Southeast Asian countries in the recently held Global English Language Olympiad in Da Nang Vietnam.

The Global English Language Olympiad of Southeast Asia, as their website says, is an international competition in English for kindergarten, elementary, four Secondary Levels (Secondary 1 to 4) and one Senior Secondary Level (Grade 11 and 12).

It promotes excellence and proficiency in the use of the English language, utilizes friendly competitions, and also advocates for the region’s tourism sector.

Xean Marn Angelo Rabanal, a student of Lyceum of Aparri triumphed over competitors from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam in the contest, earning his first medal in an international competition.

Getting into the international competition might be easy for the young genius with his intellect, but they faced financial difficulties in the process. However, with the support of his family, friends and relatives, he was able to make it into the competition.

In his social media post, Rabanal expressed gratitude to all those who backed him in his journey, to whom he also dedicated his feat.  One is his coach who has been with him during his training.

“Without you, I would've never gotten these awards, you've helped me through training me, supported me through motivating me, and of course not just me but also Lance and Athena, we are very proud and grateful to have you as our coach,” Rabanal wrote.

Aside from Rabanal, two other students of Lyceum Aparri also joined the competition and won silver and bronze.

They are Lance Derald Auingan, who, along with Rabanal, competed in the secondary division and Athena Marisse Samson for the elementary level.

The trio, along with Rabanal’s younger brother Junelle Rabanal, is also set to participate in an international competition called the Hong Kong International Science Olympiad.