CAGAYAN de Oro City — Seventeen science students from Valencia National High School are preparing to represent the Philippines in an international competition in South Korea, but their trip now depends largely on finding financial support.

The Senior High School STEM students qualified for the International Science Olympiad Competition of Southeast Asia (ISOCSEA) finals in Goyang, South Korea, scheduled Dec. 18 to 22, after winning 17 medals in the national round.

Each student may need between ₱100,000 and ₱150,000 to cover airfare, accommodation, visa processing and competition registration.

But the trip currently has no official subsidy.

“Expenses to Goyang, South Korea will be shouldered by parents,” said VNHS STEM Coordinator Ace B. Cardeño.

With no school-wide fundraising campaign launched so far, faculty members are helping families look for outside financial assistance.

“So far, no fundraising drives are done. The teacher shall assist students in outsourcing for financial assistance,” Cardeño said.

Budget constraints may also limit the number of teachers who can accompany the delegation. Parent volunteers are expected to serve as chaperones.

Despite the funding challenge, preparations are continuing. The students have valid Philippine passports, while some are processing their South Korean visas.

Preparing for the international stage

The STEM faculty has also started a review program based on the competition syllabus, which covers physics, chemistry, biology, and earth and space science.

Cardeño said the students’ current elective subjects already cover many of the competition topics, with additional review sessions planned to strengthen their preparation.

The school will also conduct pre-departure orientations, including activities to prepare the students for South Korea’s winter weather.

VNHS Principal Dr. Angelina Acao Cacharo said the international competition is an opportunity not only for the students to compete but also for the school to strengthen its STEM program.

“Our goal is to bring additional medals and to further improve STEM teaching in Valencia National High School,” Cacharo said.

17 students bound for Goyang

The delegation includes 10 gold medalists, five silver medalists and two bronze medalists.

Gold: Gebriel Mark Q. Babon, Zaijan Tim G. Dumaguete, Nove Princess G. Balo, Kelsey Margaret T. Bayotlang, Cyrelle Myr Belarma, Geoffrey Kyle B. Embate, Kenzi Cassielle O. Ponce, Francis Gabrielle Ricablanca, Khyrah Zyrene M. Visitacion, and Juhn Eoin S. Besañez.

Silver: Myrtle Amber E. Eduave, Menard G. Palutao, Noeme C. Salvador, Kline Franz H. Bodiongan, and Cielo Venice B. Conol.

Bronze: Johnryl C. Borbon and Blessed Aira S. Villahermosa.

VNHS builds international track record

The Goyang competition adds to VNHS’ growing international presence this year.

Earlier, Cardeño accompanied three VNHS student developers — Kent Dave R. Pilar, Pshych Earl B. Caleñada and Thomas Kyle L. Galo of Team PhsynTak — to Seoul for Krafton’s BETTER GROUND 2026 international summit.

The team was among 17 finalists selected from more than 1,000 applicants across Asia and presented “GENOMORPH,” an eco-themed mobile action RPG incorporating real-world biological science into its gameplay.

“What makes me proudest is seeing them evolve from individual student coders into a self-reliant development unit,” Cardeño said.

With students now preparing for another international competition, VNHS is seeking to extend its presence beyond the classroom and onto global academic stages.