Checkmate in the Opening

This one looked like a Legall's mate without losing my Queen:

 

Scholastic Book Sale

Here's a note from Scholastic Books:

"Scholastic is holding a book sale! 

We're selling a pack of 10 books for just Php 200 / Php 300!  You would find award-winning andbestselling treasures in the packs.  Some of the featured authors are Rick Riordan, C.S. Lewis, Suzanne Collins, Cornelia Funke, Jerry Spinelli, Roald Dahl and Tamora Pierce."

Scholastic Book Sale

Against a Mexican

When playing is all that matters, nothing can stop you from winning. These are the three games I won against my very strong, master-strength opponent. We played thirteen games and the score was 10-3, in his favor. I wanted to quit and log-off after when he gave me a lessons after each lesson, five consecutive wins for him and one for me.

With white pieces:

 

Then with black:

Full Moon November 2012

Tonight my kids went to their lolo's house, a few blocks away from our place, and watched the lunar eclipse. They were equipped with camera phones, iTouch and a bottle of anti-mosquito bites called Citronela. And they're back now with a lot of stories, pictures and mosquito bites. They went on the roofdeck but still managed to be bitten by these pesky mosquitoes.

And while they were away, I played some games over at ChessCube. Here's one interesting h-file, ala-back rank mate:

 

And since the tide is high and the lunatics are out, here is one event we don't want to see happening. The future of the people involved are definitely bleak and the victim's family are going to have Christmas with sore eyes and heavy hearts. The death of the US Marine, a Bel-Air Makati resident, in the hands of the five rich kids, was caught on closed-circuit television:



Judgement?

Though shall not kill.

And if you are a foreigner in a foreign land, respect the locals!

From Winning to Whining

Remember our post "Complete Games: NCAA Chess Tournament 2012"? In it I shared the link where you can get a copy of the games courtesy of Bobby Ang.  In his article he said the following:

"College of St. Benilde-La Salle Greenhills was the favorite, but it failed badly and finished in 6th place. The La Salle aministration should seriously consider shaking up the team -- how can it be that they forfeited 15 games?

I was reminded of this post when I stumbled upon the blogs of NM Erwin Carag. Man that was a lot! Erwin was the coach of CSB-LSGH Junior Chess team when they won a championship. But a year after they won the NCAA crown, he left LSGH and rumor has it, t'was a bitter (and loud shouting match) parting.

Sad indeed!

The last time I saw and talked to Erwin was in 2010 at the 1st National Press Club Chess Tournament. Dubbed as "Massacre in November", I was fortunate enough to have played with fellow NPC members. When asked about the LSGH incident, he was man enough not to badmouth the institution that he helped to win a title.

Whatever happened to Erwin? I'm sure he still coaches players and teams and helping them achieve success in the field laden with 64 squares. I don't really know where he is now specifically.

But I'm sure the call of Bobby Ang to look into the line-up and probably the group behind each varsity team called alumni is a wake-up call. How can you forfeit 15 games on the NCAA level?

This is serious!

And for sure chess parents will only be happy to bring their precious chess children into the Green compound with scholarship and a supportive environment aimed at a truly wholistic education.

Instead of forfeiting games, why not work as a team including parents and alumni, with the players and coaches and get back to winning?

This ain't easy and this will take time. But its all worth it. I hope they get back to winning.

Shake it up or forget winning.

Playing to Survive

This game I played over at ChessCube is something I can never be proud of. It was a 15-minute game that I was forced to play when all I wanted was to play 1-minute games.

It ended in a draw after a 3-fold repetition but I had plenty of time with 8 minutes and 16 seconds against my opponent's 1 minute and 31 seconds. This game shows a lot of things about the fundamentals of chess and one of which is that you have to learn your openings. I played a bad opening. Then I played carelessly. Then I just played on to survive. Then I thought my opponent didn't know what to do with his advantage until I was able to keep my King in a safe place and allow my one-Queen demolition team do the wreck. Until my opponent went for the draw when his time was dwindling down.


So here is the game:

Tenement in Taguig City

I was at the Tenement Elementary School today and helped a bit in the Feeding Program of the school with some of my students and a colleague.

This is DEPED's central elementary school in Taguig City and it boasts of thirty-six classes per level from k to 6 and is the most populous in the entire city.

So what do we feed the children?

Champorado with Carnation Evap!

And some snaps I did while I was with my eight -graders. Our unit for the second term is Buhay sa Syudad at Buhay sa Baryo. We have been discussing the first part which is Buhay sa Syudad and I asked my students to create a photo where it shows city living. These two are mine:

And tomorrow is a PTC day or Parent-Teacher Conference.

Mavs Terrorizes Lakers 2012

Obviously, winning a game in the opening of the NBA season takes more than putting four all-stars, all offensive-minded players in the same team. It was a nightmare for the newly-revamped line-up for Lakers with the addition of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash during the pre-season. With Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol getting in the team plus the two all-stars, they are really strong, on paper.

Do you remember the Lakers line-up in 2004 NBA Season? Karl Malone, Gary Payton, Shaq and Kobe in the same team. They didn't make it and poor Malone and Payton had to end their NBA careers without any championship ring.

And the October 30, 2012 NBA game between Dallas Mavericks and LA Lakers was a de javu:

Complete Games: NCAA Chess Tournament 2012

We now have the complete games of NCAA Chess Tournament for the year 2012. Thanks to Bobby Ang of Business World Online, he generously offers his readers PGN copy of the NCAA Chess tournament.

Anyone wishing to receive a copy may leave their email addresses on my comment box or check out Bobby Ang's Chess Piece at Business World Online.

Interview with GM Susan Polgar 2012

Here is an interview with GM Susan Polgar and Lisa Suhay on WPR Kathleen Dunn Show about the various aspects and benefits of chess:

MISAA Chess 2012

The MISAA Chess Tournament is happening now!

Scholastic Monster Sale 2012

Scholastic Books Philippines will have their Monster Sale:

  

My Weekend's Best Finishes

I got my premium account for Chesscube and slowly I am discovering the advantages of having one. You get to play VIP-only tournaments with 150 cubit worth of prizes for the champion. I think I got 8 championships this afternoon and this one game I'm showing gave me my eighth. Visit the link here.

My black pieces were outnumbered. I was down on the exchange in the middle game that started with White's 22nd move exf6 but somehow found a small hope when I made my 30th move Rxe5. This was a harmless sacrifice but when my opponent took it, the trap was set. Six moves later, I gave an elementary checkmate with my Rook and Bishop against a cornered King.

And here is another game from the same tournament, with the black pieces against a higher-rated opponent:

 

Philippine Reading Convention 2012

Calling all Literacy Advocates, Educators and Teachers:

Bro. Armin Luistro, Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), will deliver the keynote address in the Annual National Convention of the Reading Association of the Philippines (RAP), which will be held on November 8-10, 2012 in Century Park Hotel, Malate, Manila.

It will focus on the theme “K-12 and 21st Century Literacies,” with strands on K- Grade 3, Grades 4-7, Grades 8-12 and 21st Century Literacies; Technology, Assessment and the K-12 Curriculum; and Implications of the K-12 Curriculum on Teacher Education and Development. Speakers are curriculum, language and literacy experts, educational technology specialists, professors, researchers, and literacy advocates.

They include Dr. Jay Blanchard, a member of the International Reading Association Board of Directors from Arizona State University and Dr. Daniel Churchill of the Hong Kong University. We invite you to participate in this timely event as our schools nationwide embark on a new basic education curriculum that responds to 21st century demands.

The registration fees are: RAP Members/ Early Bird (before October 15, 2012) – Php 4,500.00 Non-RAP Members/ Walk-in Registrants – Php 5,000.00

Payments may be deposited to:

Account name: Reading Association of the Philippines Bank of the Philippine Islands (Loyola Katipunan Branch) Current Account No.: 3081–1721-87 The registration fee is inclusive of snacks and 1 lunch, kit, CD of handouts and certificates.

Participants are responsible for their own accommodation arrangements.

For further information, visit the rap web site at http://rap.org.ph/ or contact any of the following mobile nos.: 09155331040 (Nong), 0920239020 (Heidi) and 09154144728 (Mitzi), or email queries to us at rap.litforum@gmail.com. Participants are encouraged to register early as slots are limited.

The registration form may be downloaded from the RAP web site. The program, CHED memo, and DepEd advisory are attached.

We look forward to your valuable presence at the convention! See you there!

Truly yours,

Melissa Alma Orencia Conference Director

You may also download through my Scribd the Invitation Letter and other pertinent documents for the Reading Association of the Philippines Convention.

Full Movie: Searching for Bobby Fischer

The movie I've been searching for in the last twenty years is here. I watched this film in the theaters as a fourth year high school student but never really made an impact on my interest in chess. This they say is the definitive movie to watch if you want to turn your kids away from the game!

So here it is, the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer:

Free Download: Song of the Bird

I found a PDF copy of Anthony de Mello's "Song of the Bird" and I'm sharing it here. The Jesuit priest from India wrote some of the finest books on spirituality and awareness which has influenced scholars and leaders from around the world.

Just like any great thinkers and writers, Anthony de Mello had brushes with the Jesuit authority and was faulted for bordering on a rather radical and liberal teachings.

Download this book and try to read it wherever and whenever you feel like it.

SORRY BUT SCRIBD REMOVED THIS DOCUMENT FROM MY COLLECTION. IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A COPY, LEAVE A COMMENT AND EMAIL AD. I GOT IT FOR FREE SO I AM SHARING IT TO ANYONE INTERESTED FOR FREE.

Song of the Bird

Today's Date: 10-11-12

Coach Leo reminded me about today's date, ten-eleven-twelve! And in celebration of the "iskalera" allow me to share this video from the band Down under, Frente:

Last Move from NBS First Move Tournament

Do you remember this neat, proud and professional-looking poster found in almost all National Bookstore branches around the country?

Last October 6, 2012, the NBS First Move Chess Tournament series had its last edition at the Sports Loop of Robinson's Galleria.

Some of the good things that will always be remembered about this tournament:

• Tournament schedule begins and ends on time.
• Equipment were always enough for the players. 
• Provided beginners the opportunity to play in a tournament atmosphere.
• The playing hall gave the players the comfort they needed to play the game. 
• Organizers made sure the tournament was organized accordingly. That's the reason why they are called organizers.

So now I say "thank you to NBS, Robinson's Malls and John Sy!"

People come and go but the game lives on.

Dyscalculia Conference in London

Do you have money to go to London?

If you have, then by all means you should go to London and see the fantastic place where the Fab Four grew up, the 2012 Olympics happened and attend the 5th National Conference: Dyscalculia and Maths Learning Difficulties:

LW Dyscalculia Conference Leaflet 2013

Free Download: October FIDE CIS Newsletter

Here is our free download for the month, the October issue of FIDE Chess in Schools Newsletter:

OctoberFIDECISNews

International Days in October

For the whole month of October, the whole world is observing two themes and these are: Breast Cancer Awareness Month and International Augmentative and Alternative Communication Month. And here are some more:

October 7 - World Smile Day

October 8 - World Hospice and Palliative Care Day

October 8 - World Humanitarian Action Day

October 9 - World Post Day, recognized by the UN

October 10 - World Mental Health Day, recognized by the UN

October 10 - World Day Against Death Penalty, recognized by the WCADP

October 13 - International Day for Disaster Reduction, recognized by the UN

October 14 - World Standards Day

October 15 - International Day of Rural Women, recognized by the UN

October 15 - Global Handwashing Day

October 16 - World Food Day, recognized by the UN

October 17 - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, recognized by the UN

Workshop: Storytelling 101

This morning I gave an introductory lecture and workshop on storytelling for the volunteers of the Mobile Reading Program of Imus City. There were twenty-five participants of varied age group. The number of the participants allowed everyone to participate in the discussion and workshop with ease.

Jollibee-Lotus was the organizer for this event in cooperation with the SK Federation of Imus City.

Thank you so much for the technical support you guys gave and congratulations to the participants of the workshop!

Happy storytelling! Storytelling 101

World Teacher's Day 2012

I never planned to post anything about this day, the World Teacher's Day. Reason? There's just too many days and dates to remember teachers and their undying love for learning.

Honestly, I remember it once was celebrated in February, then in December and now in October.

Are there really that many days to remember and celebrate teacher's day?

But my plan not to post any was changed because of the impromptu singing my students did at the end of the day. They sang to us to Happy Teacher's Day to the tune of Happy birthday! Wow! It was so simple and yet so powerful! I guess it was the twinkling in their eyes, the sincerity of their action that moved me.

Thanks to you Grade 8 Beacon School students, graduating class of 2013!

And here is a video shared to me by Maggie in celebration of. Maggie my co-teacher and the Sosyal Atenean-Choir Singer-American-Bisaya whose love for Aegis and Gloc9 rivals that of my love for Pinoy Pop Culture.

Salute to teachers:

SENIA Meeting

I'll be attending the Special Education Network in Asia-Manila meeting this afternoon at the International School Manila with our Learning Support Coordinator, Ms. Yvette.

This would be my first time and I'm excited!

Back Rank Mates

Back-rank mates are considered as one of the deadliest weapons one can use against your opponent's King. Back-rank mates appear often in low level games among beginners. There are variants of back-rank mates and it gives you the same annoying feeling of losing a game that way.

A back-rank mate is a result of carelessness. Even grandmasters blunder what more of the players rated 2000 plus? With a little help from luck and a lot of tactical decoying and distractions, one can steal a point against these mighty warriors.

Here is a game I played against a 2050:

     

Recital of Gaille Ramos

Here is the poster for Gaille K. Ramos' concert:

Shameful Ivory Trade in the Philippines

Here comes another one of those international embarrassment for us Filipinos. I won't be surprised if the Senate and Congress will milk this one out for their publicity stunts. Remember, the circus a.k.a election is right around the corner.

And yes, this issue has picked on a certain Catholic priest as the center of it all. RH Bill, Mining and Manny V. Pangilinan's pull-out from Ateneo de Manila. What's next?

The irony of it all is that I want to buy this NatGeo October issue. Great marketing strategy!

A different game result?

Here is a game I played against a fellow Pinoy over at Chesscube. Is there a better ending here than a draw?
 

Cultural Icons of the Philippines

Treasures found over at the National Commission for Culture and Arts. An alphabet of Cultural Icons of the Philippines or also known as Sagisag ng kultura ng Pilipinas:

Sagisag Kultura Ng Filipinas 001

Visit my Scribd page for the rest of the compilation here.

Failed in FIBA: Smart Gilas 2

Smart Gilas 2 lost its last two games when it mattered most. The final score in the game against Iran was 77-60 which was played yesterday, September 21. If we won the game against the Iranians, we would have played for the gold against the Japanese. And today we played for the bronze and we lost against Qatar with the score 79-63.

Remember our post comparing the internationally known basketball coach Rajko Toroman and PBA coach Chot Reyes?

We now have the answers to our questions.

Here are my thoughts coach, you can use these as your fair enough excuses for the 4th place finish in the Qualifier for 2013 FIBA Asia Championship:

• Poor officiating. The technical foul given by the Lebanese Referee. Remember the technical foul meted on Chot Reyes some years ago? I don't know if you remember that but I definitely do. It was a costly mistake from the basketball guru back then and it definitely made matters worse for his team this time. Try to watcht the video below and listen to what the Dean of Philippine Sports journalism has to say coaching in the international basketball.

• Not enough time. Smart Gilas 2 was formed in less than six months. Same old, same old! I don't know if we are all afflicted with amnesia as a nation or we're plain stupid. Doing the same things all over again but expecting different results. if this is not amnesia then I'm sure this is short-sightedness. 
• Mismatched basketball skills. I truly believe that PBA is not NBA and that we should not do a "Dream Team" approach. This Dream Team  problem is basically rooted on two things: mismatched basketball skills and not enough time. When I say mismatched skills, I mean our professional basketball players aren't good enough to play in the FIBA system which follows amateur rules. Unless the Philippines can send 12 players with an average height of 6'8" whose skills are those of Danny Siegle during his MVP-like years and with a basketball system ala-Ron Jacobs or Rajko Toroman, forget it. We don't stand a chance against Iran, China and Korea's basketball program. Check the stats of the game and you won't believe what you will see in the Turn over section.
• Coaching. We can send all the coaches PBA for our national team together and we will still fail. The reason is simple: FIBA system is not PBA. Don't go out and telling the Filipinos that we've got a chance or that the drive and pass is is answer to our dream of ever winning the gold in FIBA. C'mon guys, you know very well it's not.
• Injury. Injuries happen  because of accidents or because of poor conditioning exercises prior to the tournament. I've heard stories that Rajko Toroman was a fucked-up coach in terms of preparation: system play, drills and more drills. Players hated him for this but in the end, the team he handled was far better on court. They were quicker and they played good basketball IQ. You can have an off-night offensively but never an off-night defensively. 
Am I rooting for Toroman? Not necessarily. We don't know each other and I only know him through the media. Am I against Reyes? Definitely no but history have shown that he was never successful in international basketball.

And please don't go into the commitment-sacrifice-respect talk for these players. They are paid to play for the country and the best thing they can ever do is to give us the gold. We rally behind you and guys come up with poor defensive rotations, poor basketball sense and worst of all, you hide behind these talks of commitment etc.

Not that talk please.

MVP trusts the coaching staff of Smart Gilas 2 and he has poured out his support in SG2. Is there a basketball program installed in our country? There was I know some years ago but then when it failed to bag the gold, we shifted back to the proven and tested to fail system: PBA players.

Sad part for Philippine basketball is that football is slowly inching its way up in the awareness level of the Filipinos. Sooner or later, basketball will just be another sports in the Philippines. It will no longer be the centerpiece of UAAP and NCAA.

I don't want a 4th place finish, I want the gold.

Bad trip talo na naman tayo!!!  

21st night of September

Do you remember?

Beatles in Japan 1966

Here is another gem I found on YouTube, the first complete performance of The Beatles in Tokyo, Japan in 1966. I'm not sure but this was the same year when John, Paul, George and Ringo visited the Philippines. This is the second of a series of video posts on the world's famous band, ever!

The equipment during their time were terrible. The microphones were unstable, speakers were failing but they played with in full throttle.

That's why maybe they're the Fab 4!

Chot Reyes and Rajko Toroman

After the first game loss against China-B in the FIBA Asia Cup 2012, Smart Gilas 2 won three straight games convincingly. Going in to the Quarterfinals of the qualifying tournament for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship, our Philippine Basketball team carries a 3-1 win-loss score and will be playing against Chinese-Taipei who carries a 2-2 score.  

I have never liked the fact that Coach Chot Reyes is at the helm of the Philippine Basketball and never believed in the idea that professional basketball players from my country can win our nation  major international basketball tournaments. Never.

Will they go all the way and win the championship? I don't think so. Will they place second or third and qualify for FIBA Championship? Slim chances.

China, Lebanon, Iran and Japan have been dominating the Asian basketball scene and we have to admit our country's band-aid approach to basketball program can never, ever match the programs of these countries.

Manny V. Pangilinan has proven that he can and he will definitely support the program but I feel that Rajko Toroman is the right man for the coaching job.

Compare the systems Reyes and Toroman has put up and implemented for Smart Gilas 1 and 2 and you can see the difference. Toroman was given three years to form and work as team with amateur, collegiate players plus Douthit. Reyes got all the professional players from PBA, a Fil-Am recruit and Douthit.

Which coach will bring back the glory of for Philippine basketball in international scene? Which team and system will prove effective for the international basketball?

I don't care about talks regarding commitment, hard-work and heart to win. All these are measured through game results.

We will see.

Love Songs for Everyone

Here is a Youtube video I found. Something I would love to compile here in my blog. The Beatles Love Songs, full album.

If only we guys lived our lives according to John, Paul George and Ringo's message, we could have prevented a 9/11 attack that changed the course of history in  one day.

A little bit of history:

"Love Songs is a compilation album that comprises love songs recorded by The Beatles between 1962 and 1970. It was released by Capitol Records in the United States on 21 October 1977 (catalogue number SKBL-11711) and on Parlophone in the United Kingdom on 19 November 1977 (PCSP 721.) The compilation peaked at #24 in Billboard's Top LPs & Tape chart during a thirty-one week stay that began on 12 November 1977 The RIAA certified the album with sales of three million units in 2000 even though the compilation was deleted in the late 1980s.The New Zealand release followed the US release with cat. no. and pressing plates, and was released on 2 different EMI labels.

The LP's original packaging included an 11 x 11" booklet, with the songs' lyrics printed, calligraphy-style, on simulated parchment paper. For the first several pressings, the cover itself was simulated leather, and the Beatles' image (a re-working of Richard Avedon's 1967 portrait, featured in Look Magazine) was simulated gold-foil. The LP was also available on yellow vinyl. "

Soundtrip:

Phl falters in Final round

The Men's Philippine chess team faltered in the final round of the 40th Chess Olympiad. GM's Wesley So and Oliver Barbosa secured a draw against their opponents on boards 1 and 2 respectively.  GM's Torre and Mark Paragua bowed to their the boards 3 and 4 of the Romanian team.  The score 1 - 3 in favor of Romania. This round 11 disaster brought us down the final standing to 21st place.

For the RP Women's chess team, it was a draw 2 - 2 with WIM Perena and Fronda winning their games on boards 1 and 4 respectively against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lady chessers Frayna and Docena were not fortunate on boards 2 and 3. Philippine Women's chess team placed 43rd over-all.

Congratulations to the Philippine delegation and thank you for a satisfactory performance! Until the next Chess Olympiad!

Desiderata 2012

I discovered this poem way back in grade school, in grade two to be exact. Nobody introduced me to it but I stumbled upon it through the school-issued student's diary which St. Mary's Academy of Pasay City was doing.

I never really know what part of the poem that attracted me to it, but I guess it was the use of words that did it. The first line I guess did it, Go placidly amidst the nose and haste...

I was an eight-year old hyper-active boy that loved reading, running, playing and wrecking havoc inside the house.

This poem is my comfort read in times of sad times. I never intended it to be so and in fact I do not have a copy of it anywhere in my house or in my notes.

Why do I like reading this in times of sadness and life-changing events? 

Let me share it:

"Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

 

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy"

Happy birthday Mother Mary 2012

Here are my prayers and greetings to our beloved Mother Mary, the Queen of Heaven:

"Remember oh most gracious Virgin Mary

That never was it known

That anyone who fled to your protection

Implored your help

Or sought your intercession

Was left unaided

inspired by this confidence

We fly unto you

Oh virgin of virgins, our mother

To you we come

Before you we stand

Sinful and Sorrowful

Oh mother of the Word Incarnate

Despite not our petitions

But in your mercy

Hear and answer us.

Amen."

"Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed our you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death Amen."

"Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy. Hail our lives our sweetness and our hopes. To you do we cry poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then most gracious advocate. Your eyes of mercy toward us and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus!"

Happy birthday Mother Mary!

A Truce with Vietnam in Round 10

In round 10 of the 40th Chess Olympiad, Philippine Men's team drew all their matched with fellow Asians, Vietnam. With lower FIDE ratings we have against the Vietnamese, we did not lose a single game against them.

Our team performed beyond our expectations to the point of over-achievement! I'd like to say to all the members of the Team Philippines in the 40th Chess Olympiad "Very good boys and girls, now rest and be ready for the final round".

Up next, Romania against Philippines in the Open Category and Bosnia and Herzegovina versus Philippines in the Women's section.

Good luck!

RP suffers defeat against China

Round 9 was acceptable, it was that difficult to swallow and somewhere along the way, our team was expected to take a beating.

This time, no upsets, no speculations,  no wishful thinking and no lucky ones. Just plain logic winning over fortunate players. GM Wesley So drew his game on board 1 while the rest of the games resulted in favor of the Chinese team. Philippine Men's chess team suffered a crucial 3.5 - .5 loss against the Chinese. This brought our ranking in the tournament to 12 coming into round 10.

For round 10, we are matched against Vietnam, another Asian powerhouse. This one will be epic.

If round 9 was crucial, this round 10 matches will decide whether whether we place within the top twenty or go down to the lower ranks.

I still feel good about our team. Unless we give away rounds 10 and 11, I can say we have over-achieved and that's worth every money the Filipino people have paid for in their taxes.

Good luck!

RP beats the Brits

The Philippine chess team won over the England with a score of 3-1. GM Oliver Barbosa and GM Eugene Torre won over their rivals on board 2 and 3 respectively while GM Wesley So and GM Mark Paragua drew halved the point with their opponents.

Another spectacular round for the Filipinos and tonight, in round 9, they will be against China. Will there be another upset in favor of the Filipinos? We will find out.

Congratulations and good luck!

A Draw in Round 7

A heroic draw by the 35th seed Philippines against 4th seed Hungary whose board 1 is  guy named Peter Leko, currently ranked at 20 in the world and is one of the few super grandmasters.

Here is part of the report of the Olympiad organizers about round 7:

"The Philippines, seeded only 35th in the starting list, bravely resisted the 4th-seed Hungary to go home with a 2-2 tie. Wesley So and Peter Leko played a wild line of the Marshall Attack, but the game ended in a draw.

Zoltan Almasi took his team into the lead with a win against Oliver Barbosa, but the legendary Eugenio Torre, first Asian Grandmaster and record holder with 21 appearances in the Olympiads, escaped from a passive position to pull a victory against Ferenc Berkes and equalise the score." 

Another strong team effort from our team! 

It will be England versus Philippines for the Open category and Philippines versus the United States for the Women's section.

Women's team is also doing well with 18.5 points.

Keeping my fingers crossed for the next four rounds!

Phl Shocks Bulgaria

The round 6 of the 40th Chess Olympiad will forever be etched in the annals of Philippine chess history. The GM Jayson Gonzales captained Philippines team, with two former child prodigies, two young hotshots and one veteran in the name of Eugene Torre.

What happened?

On board 1, GM Wesley So drew the game with the white pieces against a former challenger for the world championship, super-GM Veselin Topalov. The 100-point difference in their ratings didn't matter after all.

On boards 3 and 4, GM's Torre and Paragua drew against higher-rated opponents.

And on board 2, GM Oliver Barbosa pulled off a victory with the black pieces against GM Kiril Georgiev. A victory everyone hope, nobody expected but Barbosa produced.

The games for the 6th round of the 40th Chess Olympiad can be viewed here. You can also download all the games from the Olympiad here, round by round.

With the win, the Philippine Men's team will play against Hungary in the 7th round with Peter Leko playing against Wesley So on board 1, another super-GM.

Hold on tight!

Phl win in Round 5

Philippine Men and Women's team scored 3-1 against their respective opponents in round 5 of the 40th Chess Olympiad in Istanbul.

Result here and here.

Round 6 assignment:

Philippines - Bulgaria (Open)

France - Philippines (Women's)

Good luck!

Phl losses against Armenia

It was a tough loss for Philippine Men's team against the defending two-time olympiad champion Armenian chess team with a score of 1.5 - 2.5. GM Wesley So drew the game against super-GM Levon Aronian on board 1, and so are the games on boards two and three with GM Barbosa and Paragua. IM Dimakiling's defeat on board 4 was the deciding match.

Although the Armenian's won, GM Aronian, currently the world's number 2, had praises for GM So.

For Round 5, GM Eugene Torre will play on board 3 and this will mark a record of 21 Olympiad stints. Philippines will be playing against Iceland and rating-wise, we are expected to win this one.

Congratulations!

Safety during Earthquakes

Please watch this video, it may save your life:

Phl Earthquake Bulletin #1

Be safe, pray and keep calm! Attached is my Scribd document coming from the NDRRMC Update:

NDRRMC Update Re Earthquake and Tsunami

RP Sweeps Round 3

Another won match for the Philippine Men's chess team in the third round of the 40th Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.  With a higher average-rating points, the heavily-favored Philippine team scored all the points against the Kazahkstan team pushing us further up the win-loss standings.

With this win, GM Wesley So and his teammates will be facing defending two-time olympiad champions Armenia with super-GM Levon Aronian on board 1.

Now the real games begin.

Will it be a romantic, blue-moon evening for the Philippine team or will it be a sad, earth shattering defeat for them?

As I write this piece, I think about the people in the southern part of the Philippines, Samar and nearby provinces. Let's hope and pray for the safety of our brothers and sisters. Tsunami Warning Level 3 was raised after a 7.9 earthquake jolted Samar and other neighboring towns.

Be safe!

RP Chessers Win in Round 2

Philippine Men's chess team scored a victory against Moldova, a higher-ranked team on the seeded on the 23rd rank compared to RP's 35th. GM's Wesley So, Oliver Barbosa and Mark Paragua held their ground on boards 1, 2 and 3 respectively. International Master Oliver Makiling scored the key victory on board 4 against a fellow IM.

RP's Women's chess team lost their match against the 16th seed Slovenians with a score of 1.5-2.5. Although we lost this one, first-time Olympiad player Janelle Mae Frayna won over a higher-rated opponent on board three.

For the next round, Philippine Men's team will be up against Kazakhstan and our Women's team will be playing against Turkmenistan.

Congratulations and I hope you guys keep the momentum going!

RP Chess Teams Sweep Round 1

Our Team Philippines sweeps their matches in the first round of the 40th Chess Olympiad in Istanbul. Check out my Tweets and the live games section of the tournament.

Wesley So essayed the Caro-Kann Exchange variation on board 1 with the black pieces while Oliver Barbosa played the Queen's Indian Defense with white on board 2. Mark Paragua on board 3 with blakc pieces defended with Przpiorka Variation and Oliver Dimakiling played white on board 4 with Reversed Closed Sicilian, English Opening.

For the Women's section, Philippines won over the Pakistan team, 4-0,

Congratulations!  

Round 1 for RP Chess Team

Board pairing and matches for the Philippine Team in the first round of the 40th Chess Olympiad in Istanbul:

Open Category: :

Board 113 : Libya vs Philippines

Board 1:     Abobker Elarbi, 2259          - GM Wesley So, 2652
Board 2:     FM Ahmed Al-Zayat, 1977  - GM Oliver Barbosa, 2554
Board 3:     FM Hussien Asabri, 2211    - GM Mark Paragua, 2508
Board 4:     Hassan Asabri, 2179           -  IM Oliver Dimakiling, 2428

To give you guys an idea.

Of the one hundred fifty-eight nations participating in this edition, we are on the 35th rank. Two years ago, we were seeded on the 38th but finished at 50. Our country was represented by GM's Wesley, So, Eugene Torre, Darwin Laylo, John Paul Gomez and then IM Richard Bitoon. 

And for the Women's category.

Board 121 : Pakistan vs Philippines

Board 1:         Zenubia Wasif                               -    WIM Catherine Perena, 2091
Board 2:        Nida Mishraz Siddiqui, 1670  -    WFM Rulp Ylem Jose, 2061
Board 3:        Ghazala Shabbir                           -    Janelle Mae Frayna, 1991
Board4:         Fatima Shabbir Khua                 -    Jedara Docena, 2061

Out of the one hundred twenty-five teams playing in this tournament, the Women's team of the Philippines is ranked at 57. 

It appears to be a an easy, bonus round for the Philippines but I just hope and pray that they won't fall into the trap called over confidence and "drawtitis" which some of the Filipino players have proven to be good at.

Good luck!

King's Gambit Win

Here is a 30/g I played over at Chesscube. There were at least two obvious mistakes made by my opponent. He resigned when my passed pawn can no longer be prevented from promoting into a Queen.

It has been a long while since I last played chess online although we've had so many NO CLASSES this schoolyear, I never really took time to log in and play at Chesscube.

I guess my love for Teaching Filipino and working as a Learning Support plus my Coursera hours are really taking much of my free time and I like it that way.

Chess can be so time consuming, very time consuming.

So here is the game:

Team Philippines for 2012 Chess Olympiad

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines formed a team for the Open section and the Women's section of the 40th Chess Olympiad happening in Istanbul, Turkey.

According to the Registered Countries section, the official line-up for Team Philippines:

Open Category:

Board 1:  GM Mark Paragua (2508)
Board 2:  GM Oliver Dimakiling (2428)
Board 3:  GM Wesley So (2650)
Board 4:  GM Oliver Barbosa (2554)
Board 5:  GM  Eugene Torre (2469)

Here is the correct board assignments:

B1: GM Wesley So (2650)
B2: GM Oliver Barbosa (2554)
B3: GM Eugene Torre (2469)
B4: GM Mark Paragua (2508)
B5: IM Oliver Dimakiling 2428)


Women's Team:

Board 1: WIM Catherine Perena (2091)
Board 2: WFM Rulp Ylem Jose (2061)
Board 3:  Jedara Docena (2061)
Board 4:  Jan Jodilyn Fronda (2022)
Board 5:  Janelle Mae Frayna (1991)

You may visit the Official Website for pairings, schedule, round by round reports and other details you might need.

We wish our players safety and may they beat the teams they are expected to beat and play with all their might against the teams that are simply superior to them (rating, resources and training)  and who knows they might pull the something extraordinary out of it.

Manual on Population Development Education

Here is my copy of the PopDevEd Manual, published by the San Carlos University Press in cooperation with Philippine Commission on Population and Development. It was surprising to find out about this manual because it was meant to be used for teaching students Catholic schools in the elementary, high school and college levels in the Philippines.

You can download the manual and use it for teaching purposes.

Maybe the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines can use this to spread their cause. The resources are there, why not use it in enlightening the people instead of waging war in the Senate and Congress?

Win without fighting, fight with all your will!

Here it is:

Population and Development Education

RIP Robredo

My prayers and condolences to the family of DILG Secretary Jesse Manalastas Robredo whose body was recovered 2600 feet off Masbate and 180 feet deep.

I discovered something new about Secretary Robredo and I'm sharing it here, thanks to Wikipedia:

"Robredo studied at Naga Parochial School, a private Catholic school in Naga City, for his elementary education. While studying there, Robredo began to hone his talent and love for the game chess. Naga Parochial School was known and had established a record for winning Bicol's annual province-wide chess tournament and Robredo's brother had been among its champion competitors. However, when it was Robredo's turn to represent his school, Robredo only garnered second place."

A moment of silence for the soul of a fallen hero, a public servant, a father, husband and chess warrior.

Ikaw ba si Margie?

The end of August is near and no thanks to the typhoons we've had and Habagat, we missed out on celebrating Buwan ng Wika and Buwan ng Bayani. As my way of taking part in spreading the love for my country I'm sharing this article. Taken and adapted from the book Tagalog for Beginners by Joi Barrios (2011).

Here is a part of Joi's Appendix 6 article called “Understanding Margie: The Filipino Heritage Learner”:

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Who is the heritage learner (HL)? In my opinion, almost all heritage learners are “activists” in the broadest sense of the world... Through observations, three in-depth interviews and a focused group discussion, I have come up with a composite character whom I will call Margarita Louella, with the nickname Margie. Why was she named Margarita Louella? Well, she was born in 1973, the year that Margarita Moran was crowned Miss Universe. Her mother’s name is Lourdes and her father’s name is Joel, thus the name Louella. In our attempt to understand the activist Filipino Heritage Learners (FHL), let us turn to Margie Louella, our composite character based on my interviews with six FHL learners.

Margie was born in the U.S. She grew up in either nuclear household with parents and siblings or in a single-parent household. Her mother speaks to her grandmother in Visayan, her parents speak to each other in Filipino, but they speak to Margie in English and the code-switching Taglish (or Tagalog English). There are three possible reasons for this use for Taglish : the neo-colonial relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines resulting in a colonial way of thinking among many Filipinos; the hegemony of the English language in the Philippines underlining disparities in class and status; and discrimination in the site of migration because of Filipino accents that mark the person’s ethnic identity and otherness. At four, Margie’s mother will speak to her saying, “Let ninang make subo you”. Ninang is the Filipino word for “godmother” and “subo”, the verb for “hand-feed,” is made English by attaching the English word “make”. Her mother Lourdes code-switches because of the following: she is the product of bilingual education; as a child, she was fined for speaking Filipino in School; and in speech classes, she had to repeat over and over. “This is an apple. This is an apple...” to get the perfect American accent.

In contrast, Margie’s father struggled with the language because he attended a public school in Cagayan twelve hours from Manila. He can read and write, but hesitates when he speaks because he is afraid of pronouncing words incorrectly. When Margie was growing up, he took English classes. One time, he got angry at Margie’s brother and said, “Lintik kang bata ka...” Years later, Margie would ask her Filipino teacher, “Why did my father call my brother lightning?”

Margie grows up knowing the Filipino words for objects, a few body parts, and people: kalamansi, adobo, lola. She also knows that the prefix mag- when accompanied by a verb in English renders the verb Filipino- “mag-toothbrush ka na” – especially when commands are given. She knows basic greetings like “Kumusta” and “Magandang Umaga” and “Salamat”. She watches a few Filipino movies but her household does not subscribe to the Filipino channel so she is not familiar with “Wowowee” (a Philippine variety show broadcast on ABS-CBN) nor addicted to any Filipino soap operas. Her mother tells her “Mahal Kita”.

It is in college that life changes for Margie Louella. To learn more about her identity, she enrols in a Filipino/Tagalog class. She watches Filipino plays on identity by Teatro ng Tanan; one is entitled "Tunggalian” (Conflict); and the other is based on Freddie Aguilar’s song “Anak.” As she dances the Tinikling at the Philippine Cultural Night (PCN) at her university, she also learns the favourite PCN word- diwa or “spirit.” She becomes fascinated with the word saing... sinaing (cooked rice), magsaing (to cook rice)- ah, there is a Filipino word for cooking rice, and many words about rice. She tries to learn the baybayin and considers getting a tattoo word “Malaya” (“Free”). She becomes aware of student issues and joins the campaign for Filipino American Studies and American Studies. She learns about the Filipino American history and the struggle of the farm workers. She becomes more involved in community organizing. At the Filipino Community Center, she greets the older people with “Kamusta po kayo?”

Margie Louella joins a Filipino American Political group. As her Political consciousness grows, she learns the word “hustisya,” and in political rallies can shout: “Makibaka, huwag matakot” (Struggle, Do not be Afraid!) and “Ibagsak!” (Down!). However, when one speaks to her in Filipino, her conversational ability is limited to five minutes. Margie Louella travels to the Philippines three times: First, to visit family, during the Christmas holiday season. She notices her relatives straining to speak to her in English. Second, she returns for three weeks, spending half the time with her family and the other half volunteering with Karapatan (literally “Rights”), a human rights organization.

However, when she attends a celebration hosted by the Amando V. Hernandez foundation (a non-government organization that gives writing workshops to workers and peasants) and listens to Filipino poetry, she realizes one thing - she does not know Filipino. She says to herself, “I do not want to end up like this... a person who does not know Inang Wika (Mother language).” On her third visit, she stays for five months, spending most of her time with peasant communities in the countryside. She learns more about the struggle of the Filipino people ----and calls it “paglalamay sa dilim” (“to work in the darkness of night”). She learns to sing songs such as “Rosas ng Digma” (the rose of war). She is touched as she leaves the community when they give her a despedida for her maligayang paglalakbay (Happy travels). Back in the United States, she corresponds with people in the Philippines. Through numerous exchanges of letters and e-mails, she learns more about written Filipino.

--------------

Forged Records on YouTube

Here is a discovery I made which I'm sharing at The Brown Man Diary. The YouTube Chanel Forged Records that has eight videos with a name Joey Tandem says "My small-scale, indie home recording label". There is this treasure behind the rawness of the material and I'm glad that we have another Pinoy showing his stuff online. You guys can watch, listen and download all his videos. Let me share what I like, sounds like a cross between a Had-rockin' The Dawn band and Raymond Marasigan's Sandwhich:
 

Coursera Courses

What a great way to actually walk one's talk.

I've been a believer and preacher of education in the 21st century, interactive, online and flexible. In case you guys have been wondering where I've been in the last four weeks, it's Coursera.

I've enrolled in three online courses and all these courses are recognized by Ivy League Schools.

Go to Coursera.com and look for the topic you would like to enroll in.

Good luck!

RP's Hyper Habagat

Typhoon Gener started it then came hyper Habagat that brought water into the lives of many Filipinos in NCR and neighboring provinces.

This nameless wind that brought torrential rains destroyed properties, killed at least 10 people and made me stay at home for the whole week. 

Its a pity to see families go through such a calamity. Properties are destroyed, lives are lost and income generating work hours are gone.

But we Filipinos are resilient. We will recover from this and we will. 

With prayers and diligence, we will recover from this!

SONA 2012 of President Benigno "PNoy" Aquino III

Bukas ng umaga, ika-23 ng Hulyo, and Presidente ng Pilipinas, si BS Aquino ay magbibigay ng kanyang State of the Nation Address para daw sa mga Filipino. Meron pa kaya siyang sasabihin sa atin na hindi natin alam na kalokohan lang? Meron pa kayang sasabihin ang pinuno ng Republika ng Pilipinas na hindi natin alam na kasinungalingan lang? Meron pa kayang sasabihin si PNoy, isang produkto ng dalawang pamilyang mayayaman, maimpluwensya sa larangan ng politika, negosyo at showbiz, na hindi natin alam na pampabulaklak lang sa kanyang administrasyon?

Meron pa nga ba?

Napatalsik ng administrasyon si CJ Corona dahil daw sa pagiging kurakot. Pwede, malamang at marahil totoo at naniniwala rin naman ako sa paratang sa kanya. Pero sa tingin mo ba si CJ Corona eh mapapatalsik sa pwesto nya kung isa sya sa mga bata-bata ng Aquino Administration?

Yung pinapalutang na balita ng administrasyon na pulis na nakabanggaan ng PSG convoy, pinatulan ba ng masang Pilipino? Hindi pero dapat lang mabigyan ng leksyon yung kupal na pulis na yon.

Heto magandang tanong, anong gagawin ng PNoy administration sa napabalitang katangahan ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno sa Zamboanga kung saan ginawang human stand ng electric fan ang dalawang bata sa inagauration ng three-storey, 27-classroom building sa Zamboanga City High School.  

Astig di ba?

Ipinapakita dito na importante na mahanginan ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno kapag sila ay naiinitan. Mga hunghang kayo, galing sa bulsa ng mga taong nagbabayad ng buwis ang ipinagpatayo ng gusali na yan!!!

O ano ngayon ang masasabi mo diyan PNoy?

Pampapogi na naman yan ihihirit mo!

Malinaw na pang-aabuso ng kapangyarihan yan at kawalan ng respeto sa kapwa tao!!!

Yung Spratly dispute, ano naman kaya ang ibibida sa atin ng bata nating si PNoy?

Sigurado ko sasabihin nya, atin yan at kailanman hindi natin ibibigay sa iba yan. Astig na naman ang dating mo diyan PNoy! Pero ano nga ba talaga ang ginagawa mo para maiayos yan?

Kaya mo bang makipagsabayan gaya ng ginawa ng Russia laban sa mga Instik nung pinasok nila yung karagatan nila? Pinagbabaril lang naman sila ng mga Ruso!

Oh baka naman hinhintay mo si Uncle Sam pati rin ang sasabihin ng Filipino-Chinese Business Community?

Yang mga negosyanteng Instik na yan na nakinabang ng husto sa bayan natin, tahimik di ba? At ang malupit, nangunguna pa sila sa pagsasabi na walang sinabi ang Pilipinas kung makikipaglaban tayo sa China. Pero mga hayup kayo, dito kayo sa Pilipinas nagpayaman, nagpaaral ng mga anak ninyo. Dito kayo Pilipinas nakaranas ng kaginhawaan at karangyaan, hindi sa labas ng bansa.

PNoy, ano pa nga ba ang ibibida mo sa amin?

Namatay si Pidol at pinilit mong pasayahin ang pamilya nya at ang dating mo sa taumbayan, mabuti ang pagpapatakbo mo sa Pilipinas. Ay sus, pwede ba iwanan nyo na yang issue na yan.

Bumabagyo, bumabaha at ang mga pamilyang nakatira sa lansangan ano ang ginagawa ninyo?

Ay sus!!!

SONA 2012 ni BS Aquino ano pa nga ba ang dapat nating marinig?

Yung pinapadalang pera ng mga OFW sa Pilipinas?

Saan naman napupunta?

Sa bulsa ni Congressman Manhik Manaog, sa bulsa ni Mayor, sa rancho ni Senator. Pero syempre di rin magpapatalo si Konsehal at Konsehala sa labanang yan, pati nga si Baranggay Captain dapat maambunan dahil opisyal sya ng gobyerno.

Sobra na 'tong mga katangahan ng Pilipinas, sobrang sobra na!

Ano magagawa ng Pilipino, yung Boss ni PNoy?

14 and Under ASEAN Champion FM Bersamina

Nandito na ang kumpletong laro ni FIDE Master Paulo Bersamina sa 13th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championship. Si Paulo ang nagkampeon sa 14 and Under category na ginanap noong June 11 hanggang June 22, 2012 sa Hue, Vietnam. Ang Hue City as isang makasaysayang lugar na matatagpuan sa gitna ng Vietnam at ito ay naitalaga bilang isang UN World Heritage site.

Ang swerte nga naman ng mga batang chessplayers, nakakapasyal na sila ng libre, nakakapaglaro pa sila ng paborito nilang laro. yun nga lang, kailangan matikas ka gaya ni Paulo.

Heto na ang mga laro nya. Take note, puro Vietnamese yata ang mga nakalaban ni Pau sa edition ng ASEAN Group na ito. Malaking bagay na magkampeon sa mga age group tournaments lalo't ASEAN ito sapagkat makikilatis ng player ang kanyang level sangayun sa mga ka-edad nya at sa hinaharap, gamay na nila ang bawat isa.

Walang talo si Paulo dito.

Unang round:




Pangalawang round: Pangatlong round: Pang-apat na round: Pang-limang round: Pang-anim na round: Pang-pitong round: Pang-walong round: Pang-siyam at panghuling round:

Alikabok at Agiw

Matagal-tagal na din ang di ko pagsusulat dito sa blog natin, meron na ring mahigit dalawang linggo. Kung sisilipin pa nga natin eh noong ika-labingdalawa pa ng Hunyo o ang Araw ng Kalayaan ng mahal nating Pilipinas.

Bakasyun ko ngayon at inasahan ko na mas marami akong maisusulat at maibabahagi dito pero kabaligtaran ang nangyari.

Nag-enroll ako sa Action Research class sa De La Salle-Manila kaya't tuwing Huwebes ng gabi hayun, nakaupo ako ng tatlong oras mula alas-sais ng gabi hanggang alas-nuwebe. Syempre research class yon, sandamakmak na reading tasks ang gagawin ko duon. Ika nga ng propesor ko na madre, ang dami ng babasahin mo eh sya rin ang dami ng maisusulat mo sa iyong concept paper.

Okey na okey sana kung binata ako at sarili ko lang ang iniisip ko at responsibilidad ko. Pero hindi nga eh, ang dalawa kong anak na lalaki naka-homeschool kaya syempre hand-on ako pati na misis ko.

Hindi rin ako tumigil sa binibigay kong chess lessons kay Shawn na paalis na rin ng Pilipinas.

Ang dami nang nangyari nitong bakasyun kong ito pero hindi ko rin naisulat sa blog na ito.

Nabawasan nga ng husto ang chess time ko online: chesscube at chessDOTcom.

Alikabok na nga ang pinagpag ko nung binuksan ko ang blog na ito. Yung mga agiw kinailangan ko na ring walisin.

Ano-ano nga ba ang mga nangyari sa akin ngayon?

Nag-recital si Freedom para sa piano lessons nya, nag-basketball lessons sina Miguel at Freedom. Ang daming field trips at ang daming household chores. Kinasal ang isa sa pinakamatalik kong kaibigan at si misis inanyayahang umawit ng ilang kanta. Syempre ihahatid at susunduin ko sa mga praktis nya kasama ang mga ka-banda nya. Malayu-layu din yung praktisan nila. Tapos host pa kami ng 1st Kids Art group dito sa lugar namin. Ang dami.

Lahat ng ito buhay ng isang ama.

Pero hindi rin kailanman mawawala ang pagmamahal ko sa pagsusulat. Mapa-Ingles o Filipino   kailangan kong mailabas ito.

114th Philippine Independence Day

O sya sige makikisakay ako sa keyword trending online, Philippines celebrates its 114th Independence Day!

Malaya nga ba tayo talaga?

Eh sa istorya pa lang ng ating bansa ang gulo na di ba? Pati ang mga kung sino ang naunang presidente at kung pang-ilang presidente na si PNoy magulo din. Isama mo na rin ang tisoy na Philippine National Anthem natin, ang gulo.

Hindi rin naman lihim ang katotohanan na pinatira ni Emilio Aguinaldo si Andres Bonifacio di ba? At ang magiting na pintor na si Juan Luna ay binaril at pinatay ang kanyang asawa at ang kanyang biyenang babae sa Pranses.

Malupit na istorya ng ating bayan at ang mas malupit nito, pilit na ibinabaluktot ang katotohanan at itinatago sa mga Pilipino.

Nariyan pa ang mga kwentong kutsero at balasubas na sinasabi na ang Pilipinas eh isang malaking breeding ground ng ibat-ibang lahi.

Halo-halo ka'mo!

Natyempuhan ko isang dapit-hapon si Carlos Celdran sa Simbahan ng San Agustin dyan sa Intramuros habang dumidiskarte sya ng negosyo yang Intramuros Walk. Magaling si Celdran. Nasa kanya ang mga kakayahan na kailangan upang maging isang gabay para sa mga turista. At di basta gabay lang ha, may kasamang acting ito syempre. Magaling si Celdran.

At ang nakahuli sa akin ng kanyang matinding speech eh ang kanyang halo-halo speech kung saan sinasabi nya na ang disenyo ng San Agustin Church ay hindi kung ano man ang iniisip ng mga turistang iyon. Sinabi din nya na lumingon-lingon lang ang mga ito sa paligid at makikita na ang mga Pilipino ay halo-halong lahi.

Walang ipinagiba ito sa lumabas na patalastas o advertisement ng isang kumpanya na gumagawa at nagdidisenyo ng mga damit. Sinabi sa patalastas na iyon na para makasigurado kang world-class o global ang gilas o galing, eh paghaluin mo ang lahing Pinoy sa ibang lahi at hayun, Azkal ang lalabas dito. Yun nga lang, sexual harrasment cases eh baka maikaso.

Pero bilib ako sa mga tweets ni Manuel L. Quezon III o mas kilala sa kanayang online name na MLQ3. Ganda ng mga links na ibinahagi nya sa mga followers nya ngayong araw na ito. Salamat sa 'yo MLQ3. Hindi man ako sang-ayon sa pagiging miyembro mo sa diskarte ni PNoy, hanga ako sa iyong talino at galing.

Isa-isahin natin ang mga links na ipinamahagi nya:

• Official Gazette: Timeline of Philippine Revolution
• Storify: Mapping the Revolution 
• Multimedia: Philippine Revolution 
• Philippine Flag Unfurled? 
• Re-constructing colonial Philippines
• Phl National Anthem: Lost in Translation

Pero syempre marami pang dapat mailabas tungkol sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas at ng mga Pilipino. Hanggat may nagmamahal sa bayan natin, ang katotohanan ay lalabas din. At bago ko tapusin ang post na ito, heto ang isang Animation ng Philippine National Anthem: