New Lifers Recognized for 2025 DOST YES Awards
MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) proved its mettle once again in the international arena as a total of 63 New Lifers received the 2025 Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Youth Excellence in Science (YES) Award for their medal finishes in international competitions in 2024.
An increase from the previous year’s 58, this marks MGCNLCA’s highest number of awardees thus far.
New Lifers who received the DOST YES award from the Upper Primary Years Department include: Grade 4’s Adam Oliver Ang; Grade 5’s Timothy Acebo, Maxine Gianna Chua, Manolo Vito Tan, Abigail Lorraine Tieng, Harper Mackenzie Uy, and Beatrice Sara Yu; and Grade 6’s Theo Chan, Jacob Albert Chua, Moira Ellyse Cordova, Lance Thierry Go, Nathan Gohoc, and Yul Kwon.
Meanwhile, the Grade 7 awardees are Michael Ryan Chong, Evan Michael Gaw, Brendan Matheus Mancilla, Alyssa Grace Ng, David Gerard Sy, Chessa Alexis Tiu, and Ember Prinze Wong. From Grade 8, Skylar Freya Ang, Raiden Kenzo Cabilangan, Johann Audric Chan, Mason Gavin Chua, Iora Megan Garcia, Baron Daniel Ong, Brielle Dominique Ong, Pierce Victor Takai, Michiko Meredith Tiong, Caleb Zachary Tiu, and Tyler Gavin Uy were also recognized.
Grade 9 students Dash Daniel Ang, Kate Marie Aquino, Anya Taylor Chong, Sean Matthew Go, Gavin Chase Go, Marco Dylan Ho, Nehemiah Mackenzi Ng, Nathaniel John Sia, and Yi Zhong, along with Grade 10 students Samara Fionna Ang, Hope Keila Ng, Cassandra Jade Ortiga, Madeleine Christina Sy, Austin Michael Tan, and Benjamin Edmund Zheng also garnered the award.
Senior High School awardees include Nathan Andrew Alviar, Yejoon Cho, Laira Caylee Chunpeng, Leiff Nathanael Guntiñas, and Aaron Russel Kho of Grade 11; and Magnus Alexander Cabilangan, Matthew Ryan Chong, and Faith Caitlin Ng of Grade 12.
MGCNLCA alumni Annika Kaitlynn Chong, Nathan Gabriel Hao, and Aidan Riley Kho of Batch 21 also received the award, along with former New Lifers Liam Reign Chuco, Ho Yi Lim, Zachary Thomas Sy, Maribeth Jullian Tiong, and Caitlyn Stephanie Yu.
The Science Education Institute of the DOST gives the YES Award to Filipino students in acknowledgement for their excellence in science, mathematics, and robotics competitions abroad. This award aims to serve as a symbol of inspiration to the young aspirants in the STEM field, encouraging them to participate in competitions and further hone their skills.