Wesley wins against Laznicka

Wesley So wins his round seven game in the AAI International Grandmasters Chess Tournament:

Promoting Academic Integrity

Studies show that cheating among students is alarmingly high and increasing.  A large percentage of students who have cheated think that cheating is commonplace and do not consider it a serious transgression.  Furthermore, new technologies have made it even easier to cheat. The situation is compounded by the fact that many academic institutions have neither defined academic integrity nor expressly committed to it…  And then we question corruption…

PASEO CENTER FOR EDUCATORS’ CONTINUING FORMATION

 invites you to a seminar on

 Promoting

Academic Integrity

With Mr. Nicolas M. Galvez, Jr.

 

 

July 16, 2011

8:00 am – 12:00 nn

Venue:

Room 3,   2^nd Floor, Walter Hogan Conference Center,

Institute of Social Order (ISO) Complex,

Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City

 

Seminar Fee: Eight Hundred Pesos (P800.00) per head (inclusive of  snacks, materials & certificate).

To register, simply fill up the blank portions in the Registration Form below and reply to this email.

NAME: __________________________________________

 

NICKNAME: ____________________

 

DESIGNATION: ___________________________________ 

 

SCHOOL: _______________________________________________________

 

SCHOOL ADDRESS: _____________________________________ _____________________________________________

 

SCHOOL LANDLINE: __________   SCHOOL FAX No: __________

 

CELLPHONE NUMBER:_________________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS: _____________________________ 

 

BIRTHDAY: ____________________________________

 

THE PASEO GROUP

Unit 105, Benigno Mayo Hall, Institute of Social Order (ISO) Complex,

Ateneo de Manila Campus, Loyola Heights, Quezon City

Tel. Nos. 355-4740 * 232-6082  *  426-6001 loc. 4889        Fax: 426-6001 loc. 4866   

Cellphone 0915-8725857

* Paseo Center for Educators' Continuing Formation 

(formerly Paseo TLJ Education Services)

* Paseo Educational Exploration & Tour Services

* Paseo Marketing, Sales & Communications Company

* Educators' Review Editorial & Publishing House

Contact us to know more about how the PASEO GROUP may be of service to your school...

Games of Wesley So in the AAI International Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2011 Part 1

GM Wesley So is playing in India's first ever Category 17 tournament, AAI International Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2011. This double-round tournament has six young grandmasters all of which are expected to be a mainstay in professional chess in the next years to come.

The line-up according to rating points: World Junior No. 1 , Italian Fabiano Caurana, Women's World Champion Hou Yifan of China,  World's second youngest ever grandmaster Parimarjan Negi of India, reigning World Open Champion Czech GM Viktor Laznicka, India's No. 2, GM K Sasikiran and our very own, Philippines No. 1 GM Wesley So.   

If your a Wesley So fan and will head over to the Official Website of the AAI International Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2011, you will notice that the Chieftain of Baranggay Wesley is not given the equal media exposure compared to the other participants.

I can see two ways to counter this injustice to our country is to post the games of Wesley So from the tournament. With the inactivity of Rustic Bull's blog, Chess Windows, I find it hard to get any timely and often first-hand news about Wesley So.

Oh before I forget, winning  the tournament for Wesley So sounds good in countering the injustice.       

Round 1: GM Wesley So (1) - GM Krishnan Sasikiran (0)




Round 2: GM Viktor Laznicka (1) - GM Wesley So (0)




Round 3: GM Wesley So (.5) - GM Parimarjan Negi (.5)



Round 4: GM Wesley So (.5) - GM Caruana Fabiano (.5)





Round 5: GM Yifan Hou (.5) - GM Wesley So (.5)



Round 6: GM Sasikiran Krishnan (.5) - Gm Wesley So (.5)



Round 7 is playing as of press time but we have the placings after 6 rounds. The six young grandmasters are neatly placed according to their ratings and seedings at the beginning of the tournament:

1. Fabiano Caruana
2. Viktor Laznicka
3. Krishnan Sasikiran
4. Wesley So
5. Parimarjan Negi
6. Yifan Hou

The table below was the standings after five rounds or le' me say after the first half of the tournament:

We'll find out more about the result of the last half of the tournament by July 2, the final round and closing ceremony.

Free Download: Mystical City of God

I have been searching the Internet for several years trying to look for the four-volume book Mystical City of God. Blessed Maria de Agreda wrote this gigantic work in the 17th century. The book discusses revelations about the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Divine plan for creation and the Salvation of men's souls. According to Blessed Maria Agreda, much of the content was dictated to her by the Blessed Virgin Mary.

This work has an unsual history in the Catholic Church, in that it has been banned and restored a number of times probably because of what critics call as "unusual claims". Maria de Agreda was declared Venerable soon after her death, and the process of beatification has not been completed since it was started in 1673.

Here is the book Mystical City of God:


Mystical City of God by Blessed Mary of Agreda

Online Chess Resources June 2011

I was searching for some of United Nation's proclamations and declarations related to special education and persons with disability when I came across a Scribd document uploaded by a certain WT Harvey and found his other uploads to be a treasure chest of chess. With his 26 uploads, there were ten thousand and two hundred sixty one reads from other users. This means his documents must really be "a good find" for internet chess hunters. And like a lost hunter in a jungle, I was led to more chess treasures by following the links he shared to the visitors of his Scribd page.

And these are the links:

• 10,00 Chess Puzzles 
• Chess Documentary Channel
• Chess History Videos
• Chess World Website
• Rare Chess Film Clips

Here's one called Bobby Fischer's 60 Chess Puzzles:

Bobby Fischer:  60 Chess Puzzles

Jose Rizal Exposed

Image via Wikipedia

Come to think of it, I just learned the truth about him today --believe it or not!

Browsing through National Commission for Culture and Arts webpage, I stumbled upon the fact that we Filipinos, as a nation, do not have any official national here. From the government document called Selection and Proclamation of National Heroes and Laws Honoring Filipino Historical Figures, the Executive Summary say:

"No law, executive order or proclamation has been enacted or issued officially proclaiming any Filipino historical figure as a national hero."

All of us have been fooled but I will make sure to include this trivia in every talks, workshops and seminars I'll be giving from now on.

For the complete information, Read here.

Charlie Chaplin's Speech

The genius in him made him the clown of his times which until now is considered as one of the best in the world. Charlie Chaplin is best remembered for having produced, written and directed films during the silent films era. He made a name for himself by shutting his mouth in the films he made but this speech placed him among the world's best - ever!.

Here is the complete script of Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator (1940):  

"I'm sorry, but I don't want to be an emperor. That's not my business. I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone, if possible, Jew, gentile, black man, white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other's happiness — not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another.

In this world there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men's souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. 

Our knowledge has made us cynical. Our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost.

The aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in men, cries out for universal brotherhood, for the unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world — millions of despairing men, women and little children — victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people. To those who can hear me, I say — do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed — the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people and so long as men die, liberty will never perish.

Soldiers! Don't give yourselves to brutes — men who despise you — enslave you — who regiment your lives — tell you what to do — what to think and what to feel! Who drill you, diet you, treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don't give yourselves to these unnatural men — machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are men! You have the love of humanity in your heart. You don't hate! Only the unloved hate — the unloved and the unnatural!

Soldiers! Don't fight for slavery! Fight for liberty! In the 17th Chapter of St. Luke it is written: "theKingdom of God is within man" — not one man nor a group of men, but in all men! In you! You, the people have the power — the power to create machines. The power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure.

Then, in the name of democracy, let us use that power! Let us all unite! Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work, that will give youth the future and old age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power, but they lie! They do not fulfill their promise; they never will. Dictators free themselves, but they enslave the people! Now, let us fight to fulfill that promise! Let us fight to free the world, to do away with national barriers, to do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men's happiness.

Soldiers! In the name of democracy, let us all unite![Cheers]

Hannah, can you hear me? Wherever you are, look up, Hannah. The clouds are lifting. The sun is breaking through. We are coming out of the darkness into the light. We are coming into a new world, a kindlier world, where men will rise above their hate, their greed and brutality. Look up, Hannah. The soul of man has been given wings, and at last he is beginning to fly. He is flying into the rainbow — into the light of hope, into the future, the glorious future that belongs to you, to me and to all of us. 

Look up, Hannah. Look up."

Only the unloved hate!

A Primer on Homeschooling

Homeschooling program in the Philippines is quietly gaining ground among Filipino families who believes in catering to the individual educational needs of their children. You don't need to have a special educational student to homeschool them. In one of the searches I made about homeschooling it "the best teacher for your children are the ones who love them best... and that's you".

I once had a conversation with a fellow storyteller for children that she and her hubby chose to homeschool their two kids because they only want the best education for their kids. I quipped "but what about the social skills?" She replied, "Filipinos are the most social, from family members to neighbors, what else can we ask for?"

Anyways, I myself would want to put one of my children in this path of study. From what I've read and experienced as a special ed teacher, the best education for someone may be the worst one for the other. I remember someone telling me, "the (international) school where my son is right now maybe considered as one of the best in the land and in the world... but right now it is not the one suited for my son's needs."   

With all the problems Philippine Education is facing, from lack of classrooms and quality of education in general, why aren't we Filipinos really looking for an alternative? We insist on the traditional, out-moded form of classroom education and teaching strategy. 

What has become of education in the Philippines?   The National Budget is there but why do we keep seeing school problems related to financial woes and difficulties?  We have the professionalization of teaching as early as 1900's and yet parents and teachers complain about their teachers and their modes of teaching? I can  still remember  during my elementary school days when my teachers in St. Mary's Academy Pasay City would say that other countries send their students in the Philippines to study and learn various fields of studies and we're damn proud of it. 

But now? Is there any way out of this sinkhole for us Filipinos? 

I think there is and its just a matter of owning up to the situation and taking full responsibility, nation-building starts at home. Let's do homeschooling and direct the learning of your children and help shape the future of this nation.

Read on:

Getting Started in Homeschooling

Free Download: Philippine Basic Education Curriculum for Elementary School Students

The Philippine Basic Education Curriculum for Elementary School Students is available for free download for everyone. Teachers, school administrators, education majors and homeschool parents can use these to guide them in their teaching.

Check this one out:

BEC PELC+2010+ +Mathematics

For other subjects like science, music or English, visit my Scribd uploads here. 

Winning a Tournament @ ChessCube

I finally won 1st place in a tournament with one minute time control over at ChessCube and just the other day, I reached a rating of 2005. and my XP points are going higher as ever. Thanks to my almost seven week of vacation, I have all the time in the world to play over at the Cube.

Anyways, here's something I'd like to share, for posterity's sake:

SpEd Seminar-Workshop @ St. Andrew's School

We will be conducting a seminar-workshop with Professor Sonia Mendoza on June 30, July 1 and 8 to the teachers and non-teaching staff of St. Andrew's School of Paranaque, City. It will be an introductory course on special education for everyone involved in the day to day operation of the school.

We already met with the school administrators headed by Msgr. Manuel G. Gabriel who is also an educator, currently teaching in Ateneo School of Theology. In the exploratory meeting, "Monsi" shared to us his vision for the school which has guided the Andrean Community in the last six years. According to him "expansion is the only way, we have to serve the needs of the community".

As for me, I will working on my presentation for the lecture and workshop. Here's how the schedule goes:

• June 30, 1-4 pm: Preschool and Grade School Teachers
• July 1, 1-4 pm: High School and After School Activity Teachers
• July 8, 1-4 pm: Non-Teaching Staff  

I will be sharing my presentation here for everyone and yes, I have updated my Events Page.

National Fun Run for Education

The Philippine's Department of Education will be celebrating the 150th birthday of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal by organizing a nationwide running event dubbed as "Every Runner is Finisher, Every Finisher is a Winner". The DEPED Memo No. 90, 2011 wishes to involve all concerned community stakeholders while expecting regional and division officers of the department to take the lead.

Good luck to DEPED and all the would-be participants on Sunday:

National Fun Run for Education

Philippine Patient's Bill of Rights

It's mid-week and already I have visited two hospitals and gone through a series of diagnostic procedures to rule out herniated disc. In the last three months I have been experiencing back pains which is radiating to my lower right extremity.

The trend that I have been observing in the hospitals and clinics shows one thing: patients waiting forever for the doctors to arrive. Shit!!!

Imagine secretaries telling sick clients to wait for the doctor, either on his way or is in another clinic or hospital. These doctors would post and advertise their clinic hours on their doors and yet they will arrive an hour late and a lot of times even longer. I don't even see this practice to change in this lifetime of mine and no wonder a lot of us mortals view these paid professionals as having bloated ego even bordering on the belief that they are God.

I wish to give each of these doctors a copy of the movie Patch Adams, a slap on their face and a spit on their forgotten "Socratic Oath" to help alleviate suffering. I really wish Patch Adams include the Philippines in his yearly round the globe tour and remind the doctors practicing about his proven views and practices.

On the other hand, a lot of Filipinos still do not know their rights as a patient which is hinged on the Basic Human Rights as set forth and declared in the 1948 UN Declaration of Human Rights. For those of you who wishes to know, read on:      

Philippine Patient's Bill of Rights

Philippine Independence 2011

Got back from Palawan the other day and I didn't have much time to compile all the videos and photo our group took from our trip. Instead, today I went to the Aguinaldo Shrine with my family and seized the chance to loiter within the compound and inside the Shrine.

We arrived there a little after lunchtime and soon learned that President Noy Aquino was there in the morning. We were kinda surprised when we arrived at the gate closed because the Shrine is always open for visitors but today was a special day so we had to wait for awhile.




Today's celebration is the 113th anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Independence in case you want to know.

Some bits of a trivia: the raising of the Philippine Flag took place between four to five in the afternoon, Sunday. And yes, The Aguinaldo's during that time were well-off much like these days so it's no surprise it has always been the people in the higher echelon of society who gets to position to get into position.

Well thank you for the pseudo-independence of the Philippines, need I explain?

There are so many reasons why almost everyone say we as a country is not really free or independent. We are chained to the helplessness caused by corruption in our society and this caused the government administration since the 1960's to borrow money from international organizations.

Anyways, before we went to the Shrine we first celebrated the Holy Eucharist and here's one thing that will always remind people of their spirituality:

Visiting Palawan Philippines

In our previous post here, I told you guys that I am on vacation and that I'll be going to Palawan Island. The day has finally arrived to do that. I'll be flying to the Island in less than five hours with my friends and already I'm giddy!

Our blogging activity will be off for the next five days while I do the following:

• Island hopping
• Hill climbing
• Photography
• Booze
• Sight-seeing
• Reflecting
• Sleeping

That's it for this post and I'd like to leave you with this game I played early this morning at ChessCube. My opponent resigned after I denied his offer of draw. Why would someone do that with a lot of time left for both of us? How should white continue here?

  

Magnolia 1st Saturday Chess June 2011

Allan Cantonjos wins the June 2011 Edition of 1st Saturday Magnolia Beverages Rapid Chess Tournament which was held yesterday in Paranaque. Sponsored by San Miguel Corporation's Magnolia Beverages in cooperation with Don Bosco Chess Club of Better Living Subdidision.

We also have the "usuals" for our tournament officers namely Dr. Gilbert Perez as the director, NA Gatz Luz as the chief arbiter with Bobot Torres and Mario Perez as the other arbiters.

Rounding up the placers from second to fifth spots were Jerad Docena, Rolan Roselada, Jerry Areque and Robert Cacho. Narquinden Reyes finished on sixth which earned him the Top College award while Jestoni Arboleda placed seventh and earned for him the Top High School award. Jerad Docena is also a high school student but since he won the the second place, the top high school goes to Arboleda.

For the rest of the final standing below:

1st Saturday-June `11 Final Standing_list

Thanks to our mate NA Gatz Luz for sending in the results!

Coaching Manual for ChessCube Environment

ChessCube has been stamping its name as one of the best online chess resource in the last five years. I have always thought of the Internet Chess Club (ICC) and Free Internet Chess Site (FICS) as the two best websites to offer everything about chess.

Sadly the ICC is for commercial purposes and this paved the way for the FICS to be put up. But then again, after using FICS for the last three years especially during my "exile" in Morocco, I felt like something is missing.

Then last April 22 I registered at ChessCube!

I find Mark Levitt's creation a bit of a genius. Simply, ChessCube is the answer to all your chess questions with a wee bit of a surprise, social networking!

Of course there are premiums that you could pay up for but with the free account that I have it feels like they already are giving me the premium services. The activities are presented as tabs and this definitely makes using the environment so much easy.

And here is something I discovered recently, setting up your account for coaching your students on ChessCube:

Steps to Coaching Your Students in ChessCube

Oh before I go, you can look for me there with my handle: the_brownman, add me up and let's play. See you there!
 

Work for Summer 2011

I'm about to end my first week of summer vacation today.

Yes you read it right, I am on vacation which ends by July 18 and so far so good. If your wandering, the school which I am in is following the Northern Hemisphere school calendar for the IB World Schools. While the local schools and people of my country busy as a bee in preparing for this Monday's back to school, here I am whiling away my time with my loving family.

There are so many ways to use one's vacation time wisely and it all depends on taste, awareness and preference. Most of my students are on a cruise, vacationing outside of the country and God knows they are scattered all over the globe and spending time with their video consoles and family. Some are diving off the shores of Palau and Palawan.

Truly it all hinges on ones taste, preference, awareness and let me add this one, finances.

Oh well! If you are like me which on a daily basis would rather sleep, pray and love, it would really help if you find an extra paying activity for this Summer of 2011.

As a teacher for the past eleven years and having worked as a storyteller for National Bookstore's Summer Reading Workshop, storyteller for The Children's Library of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, a play therapist, school-based occupational therapist, special needs education teacher, chess coach and university senior instructor, much of the network and "jobs" that attracts me and vice-versa would be in the academe.

So far I was informed by my mentor and colleague that we have been contracted to provide a series of workshop on special education to the teachers of a Paranaque-based Catholic school. I am somewhat excited to work with professional adults again as they partake in discussion that's mentally stimulating but totally grounded on real-life situations.

But before I start all these, I'll be flying to Palawan on the 7th and stay there until the 10th of June. It will be one exciting week for me together with the PE teachers in my school. My work for this summer can wait, Palawan Philippines they say is a lot better than Boracay or Mindoro. We will see.

Typhoons and rainstorms we don't need you next week, please cooperate!