Camarines Sur student wins PH’s first Earth Science Olympiad gold in 15 years

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 07, 2026

Photo courtesy: Earth Science Olympiad – Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has returned to the gold-medal ranks of the International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) after a 15-year wait, with Camarines Sur student Rodney Corbin P. Sarmiento leading a historic medal haul at the 2026 competition in Turin, Italy.

Sarmiento, a student of Nabua National High School, won gold in the individual competition of the 19th IESO, held from Aug. 20 to 27. His victory marked the Philippines’ first individual gold medal in the international Earth science competition since 2011.

The country’s previous IESO gold came from Williard Joshua Jose of Philippine Science High School–Main Campus, who won at the 2011 edition in Modena, Italy. That year, the Philippine team also brought home two silver medals and one bronze.

Fifteen years later, another Philippine gold came on Italian soil.

Sarmiento was joined on the individual medal podium by all three of his fellow Philippine delegates.

Jia Ruth Lauren P. Condino of Philippine Science High School–Main Campus, Ethan James L. Cheng of Saint Jude Catholic School and John Andrei A. Brecio of Philippine Science High School–Bicol Region Campus each won silver medals.

The one-gold, three-silver performance was the Philippines’ best individual medal tally since the country began participating in the IESO in 2007, according to the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences.

The Filipino students also collected medals in the competition’s collaborative events.

Sarmiento earned silver in the International Team Field Investigation (ITFI), while Condino won gold in ITFI and bronze in the Earth Science Project (ESP).

Cheng secured silver medals in both the ESP and ITFI, while Brecio earned bronze in the ESP and silver in the ITFI.

The IESO is an international competition for secondary-school students that tests knowledge and practical skills across different areas of Earth science, including geology, geophysics, meteorology, oceanography, paleontology and environmental science. Participants undergo theoretical and practical examinations, field investigations and collaborative projects.

The 2026 edition brought together around 160 students from 41 countries in Turin for the week-long competition.

Beyond Sarmiento’s return of the Philippines to the gold-medal podium, the fact that every member of the four-student delegation earned an individual medal made the 2026 campaign a milestone for the country’s participation in the competition.

The result also brings the Philippine IESO story full circle: 15 years after the country won gold in Modena, another Filipino student captured the top medal in Italy.

PH wins first individual Earth Science Olympiad gold since 2011 – Earth Science Olympiad – Philippines

PH wins first individual Earth Science Olympiad gold since 2011 – Earth Science Olympiad – Philippines

PH wins first individual Earth Science Olympiad gold since 2011 – Earth Science Olympiad – Philippines

PH wins first individual Earth Science Olympiad gold since 2011 – Earth Science Olympiad – Philippines