MANILA, Philippines — Three young girls, one 11-year-old and two 15-year-olds, were declared champions in the 6th Philippine Sudoku Super Challenge National Finals held on Jan. 28 at SM City North EDSA.

Organized by SM Supermalls and the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG), the Sudoku championship drew 215 finalists who were winners among 6,142 contestants who joined the regional elimination rounds held in four provinces and 15 SM Supermalls across the country.

Crowned as the Philippines’ new Sudoku grandmaster is 15-year-old Ma. Czarina Angela Lao, a second year high school student of St. Jude Catholic School in Manila. Lao racked up 1896.2 total points to best 37 other finalists in the division.

The championship was composed of six rounds that started in the morning and lasted until the afternoon.

Lao told Manila Bulletin that she felt okay while solving the final Sudoku puzzle.

“I wasn’t that nervous. For me, the final puzzle was not hard but it wasn’t easy also,” said Lao, who dedicates her triumph to her family and to God. As champion, Lao won P60,000 and a trophy.

Other winners in the grandmaster division are Alvin Ian Chan of Ateneo de Manila University, first runner-up and won P40,000; Kaye Janelle Yao of Grace Christian College, second runner-up and P20,000; Jemima Sawey of St. Louis University Baguio, third runner-up; and Ralph Sarrosa of the University of the Philippines Visayas in Iloilo, according to chief organizer Dr. Simon Chua, MTG president.

In the Sudoku Wizard division, which drew 121 finalists, the winners are 15-year-old Dielle Tio of St. Stephen’s High School, champion, who won P50,000; Melvin Baldrias of Da Canlao Agoncillo National High School in Batangas, first runner-up and P30,000; Ethan Riley Chan of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School, second runner-up and P20,000; Chesko Grezula of Olongapo National High School, third runner-up; and Cheyenne Hsieh of Grace Christian College, fourth runner-up.

In the Sudoku Whiz Kid division, which had 56 finalists, 11-year-old Natalia Beatrice Dy of St. John’s Institute of Bacolod City won as champion and brought home P20,000 and a trophy. Other winners are Candice Renee Beatrice Solidarios of Integrated Montessory Center in Laguna, first runner-up and won P10,000; Gerald Dalan of Olongapo Wesley School, second runner-up and P5,000; Clyde Wesley Ang of Chiang Kai Shek College, third runner-up; and Guineveve Soria of Precious International School of Davao, fourth runner-up.

The third and fourth runners-up in the three divisions were given gift certificates by SM Supermalls as prizes.

Awarding the winners were Mille Dizon, SM Supermalls vice president for marketing communications; Dr. Emelyn Libunao, staff director for Program Management of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA); and MTG officials.

The board of jurors was headed by Dr. Jaime Caro, University of the Philippines System assistant vice president for development and director of the UP IT Training Center Program; and Prof. Ma. Luisa Villano, admissions officer of Miriam College.

Other sponsors of the 6th Philippine Sudoku Super Challenge National Finals are Phoenix Publishing House, SHARP Calculators, Zamboanga Today, JFC Publishing, Vital1, Adtime and Space, Happy Toothpaste, McDonald’s and MTG kids.

Dr. Chua said the winners will represent the Philippines in the 2012 World Sudoku Championship in Croatia, 2012 Beijing International Sudoku Tournament in China, BRAND’s Sudoku Challenge 2012 Asia Pacific Open in Singapore and 6th BRAND’s Sudoku Thailand International Open 2012-Princess Somsawali Cup.