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. Following his success in his first overseas tournament, Marius aims to continue playing both locally and internationally on his path toward his grandmaster dream.

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.