About Math

Marius was 4 years old when he first showed an interest in math. He began learning arithmetic operations by watching Numberblocks, and later developed a passion for solving 9x9 Sudoku puzzles. Recognizing his natural logical ability, his parents introduced him to more advanced math topics, such as calculating the volume of 3D shapes, solving basic algebraic equations, binomial multiplication, laws of exponents, and even basic derivatives. Marius easily learned these concepts, demonstrating a remarkable aptitude for mathematics at a young age.

As a Kindergarten student, Marius began competing in Math competitions and earned recognition both locally and internationally. He won Gold Awards in the Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad, excelling in both the National and International Rounds. He also secured First Place Awards in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Mathematical Olympiad, again triumphing at both the National and International levels. In both international rounds of these competitions, he was the top scorer from the Philippines. With these achievements, he was expected to receive the DOST Youth Excellence Award. However, due to either his grade level or an oversight by the organizers, he was unfortunately not granted the award.

In first grade, Marius expanded his participation to interschool competitions. He won First Place in the Inter-School Academic and Athletic League Philippines: Math Challenge - Grade 1 Category, achieving a perfect score. He also emerged as the Champion in the North Private Schools Association of Caloocan Festival of Talents: Mathematics - Primary Bracket, defeating students from Grades 2 and 3. By the end of the school year, he was awarded Best in Mathematics.

In second grade, Marius continued his winning streak by triumphing in his school's Battle of the Brains in Math. Representing his school, he once again became the Champion of the Inter-School Academic and Athletic League Philippines: Math Challenge - Grade 2 Category, once again earning a perfect score. Additionally, he secured second place among students from science-focused and private schools at both the Division and Regional levels of the Sprix Math Challenge.

About Music

To broaden Marius' activities and complement his passion for math, his parents enrolled him in piano lessons, where he progressed at an equally remarkable pace. By the age of 4, he had already learned to read sheet music, and by 5, he was confidently playing pieces that were uncommon for his age group. His natural curiosity and love for learning helped him quickly grasp new techniques, allowing him to explore a wide range of musical compositions.

Marius' favorite pieces include Harebell, Minuet in G, and Ode to Joy. He has also learned to play more complex pieces such as Fur Elise, Starlight Waltz, Christmas in Our Hearts, and Gymnopédie. While some of these pieces still challenge him, he continues to refine his execution with patience and determination. His ability to memorize melodies and understand musical patterns has made learning new pieces an enjoyable experience. Although Marius eventually stopped attending formal piano lessons due to his increasingly busy schedule, he remains deeply passionate about music. He continues to play the piano during his free time, often experimenting with different styles and techniques on his own. Recently, he has been inspired by watching busking sessions online, where musicians perform in public spaces, captivating audiences with their artistry. Seeing these performers express themselves through music has ignited a dream in him—to one day play with confidence and share his music with others.

Looking ahead, Marius plans to dedicate more time to practicing the piano, aiming to enhance both his technique and repertoire. He envisions himself performing for an audience, whether in an intimate gathering or a bustling street performance, using music as a means to connect with people. Through perseverance and passion, he hopes to continue growing as a pianist and bring joy to others with his music.

About ChessMarius wins big in Asian Schools Chess Championships in Thailand

Marius started playing chess at the age of 5. Just a few months after learning the game, he joined his first tournament where he scored 2.5 points out of 7 rounds. Despite this initial setback, Marius was not discouraged. Instead, it fueled his determination to continue learning and improving. Since then, he has actively participated in numerous chess competitions, steadily refining his skills and gaining valuable experience. As his level of play has increased, so have the recognitions he has received from various tournaments. To date, Marius' major achievements in chess include:

In less than a year of playing chess, Marius achieved an extraordinary feat by becoming the youngest qualifier for the DEPED Regional (NCR) Chess Palaro 2023. At just 5 years old, he outplayed more experienced competitors in the Caloocan City Meet, securing 2nd place and earning a spot as Caloocan's official representative to the Regional Palaro. Despite his young age, Marius faced off against representatives from various cities across the NCR. He scored 5 points out of 7 rounds, ranking 5th overall in the Individual Category and 2nd in the Team Category. His impressive performance earned him recognition and led to features in PhilStar Life and on the social media pages of DEPED and ChessKids.

Marius also set a record as the youngest player to qualify for the Under 10 National Age Group Grand Finals in 2023, at only 5 years old. Despite being matched against players significantly older than him, Marius performed brilliantly, ranking 6th in the Blitz category and 7th in the Standard category.

In 2024, Marius earned a spot in an international competition by winning the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence U7 Chess Tournament. As the tournament champion, Marius represented the Philippines in the 18th Asian Schools Chess Championships, competing against top Under-7 players from chess powerhouses such as India, China, and Kazakhstan. Marius finished with an outstanding performance, securing 2nd place in Blitz, 4th place in Rapid, and 4th place in Standard.

In 2025, Marius secured his first national title as the champion of the Philippine Children’s Chess Championship in the Under 8 Category. He swept all his rounds, earning a perfect score of 5 out of 5. In the combined Under 8 and Under 10 age group for the Rapid Event, Marius once again demonstrated his dominance by winning all his games, finishing with a flawless 6 out of 6. His brilliance continued in the Blitz event, also in the combined Under 8 and Under 10 category, where he won five straight games before dropping the final two rounds. Despite this, he placed 5th overall in the combined standings and was crowned champion of the Under 8 Blitz.

To date, Marius holds the record as the youngest Filipino player to obtain a FIDE rating in both Rapid and Standard formats. He earned his Rapid rating at exactly 6 years old and achieved his Standard rating at 6 years and 4 months. Since he rarely plays Blitz, he obtained his Blitz rating later, at the age of 7 years and 5 months. He was also the youngest medalist in the SDO Caloocan Division Meet Chess Tournament, and the youngest official representative and medalist in the DepEd NCR Chess Tournament, both at just 5 years old. His remarkable potential has been demonstrated through notable performances: defeating Women National Masters in Standard format, winning against an International Master and an Arena Grandmaster in Rapid, and securing a draw against a Russian Grandmaster in an online match.

To view the complete list of accomplishments, click here.

Past Articles

🎉 Marius Turns 8! A Grateful Celebration 🎉

As Marius turns 8, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the many people who have supported him on his chess journey.

💛 To Boss Jojo – Thank you for your unwavering support for Marius. Thank you for your constant words of encouragement, reminding us that everything is part of the process — that win or lose, each moment is a valuable step toward Marius’ dream. Your support means more than words can express.

💛 To Coach Noel – Thank you for your patience and commitment in guiding Marius through the complexities of chess. The lessons are challenging, and at times, he struggles to fully grasp them, but you consistently support him with kindness, both in mastering the game and growing as a player.

💛 To Doc Butch – Thank you for your steadfast support and for always checking in on Marius. Your shared stories and thoughtful words continue to inspire and encourage us on this journey. We’re deeply grateful for your presence and wisdom.

💛 To Biyaherong Coach – Thank you for your quiet yet meaningful support behind the scenes. Your words of wisdom, drawn from your experience as both a chess player and coach, have truly guided and inspired Marius.

💛 To Coach Jhay of The Chess Castle – You’ve been with us since day one. Thank you for your continued belief in Marius’ potential and for your unwavering support.

💛 To Coach Joie – Thank you for your time, care, and dedication in helping Marius prepare for tournaments, and for always being there to cheer him on.

💛 To all of Marius’ past coaches – Thank you for being part of his growth. Each of you has played a role in shaping him into the player he is today.

💛 To the whole chess community – Thank you for welcoming us into a world that was once unfamiliar. Your kindness and acceptance have meant so much. Thank you for embracing both Marius’ strengths and his struggles, and for cheering him on in every tournament. We may not always recognize everyone over the board, and at times, we shy away from the attention — but please know that your support never goes unnoticed. We are deeply grateful. Thank you for celebrating this journey with us.

💛 To our family and friends – Thank you for standing by us through Marius’ victories and comforting us during our worries. Your love, encouragement, and presence mean the world to us. We’re truly blessed to have you with us on this journey.

🙏 Above all, to our Lord God – Thank You for the wonderful people You’ve brought into our lives, for Your constant protection and guidance, and for the gifts and opportunities You’ve given Marius. All the glory belongs to You.

🏆 A Year of Excellence and Achievement for Marius!

A Year of Excellence and Achievement for Marius! Marius ends his school year filled with top honors, academic excellence, and national-level chess success. A student of Escuela de Sophia of Caloocan, Inc., he continues to inspire with his talent, hard work, and love for learning.

🏅 School Awards

📚 Academic Competitions

♟️ Chess Competitions

Earlier in his chess journey, Marius set national records by becoming the youngest Filipino player to obtain a FIDE rating in both Rapid and Standard formats. He earned his Rapid Rating at just 6 years old, and his Standard Rating at 6 years and 4 months. Due to limited participation in Blitz events, he secured his Blitz Rating later, at 7 years and 5 months.

Marius' remarkable potential has been demonstrated through notable performances: defeating Women National Masters in Standard format, winning against an International Master in Rapid, and securing a draw against a Russian Grandmaster in an online match.

✨ Congratulations, Marius! ✨

Your dedication and discipline at such a young age are truly inspiring. We’re excited to see where your journey takes you next.