Level Up Basketball Training Center

The Level Up Basketball Training Center is now on its third year of providing developmentally sound basketball training for players of all levels. The Level Up program was initiated by player turned coach Leo Molina.

Here is his personal letter which I requested for our blog post:


Level Up Basketball Training Center started January of 2010. Level Up started its first Module at the  Lourdes School of Mandaluyong Gym. Another training center was set up in RFM Gym in Pioneer Mandaluyong City and currently, we have the Beacon School Covered Court in Taguig City as our venue.

In the 2009 Palarong Pambansa-Tacloban City, I received the Palarong Pambansa Coach of the Year, Elementary Division. I was the very first recipient of this award this was very meaningful to me for two reasons: one, Tacloban is my father's hometown and I dedicate this award to him and second, receiving the award gave me the impression that I did something right in training my student-athletes become better students in and out of the classrooms and basketball courts.

Program planning was difficult because I wanted to create a developmentally-sound basketball program aimed at the Filipino player's physique and mentality. It took me about a year to come up with a program that considers the strengths and weaknesses of every child enrolling in it.

Several consultations were made prior to starting Level Up.  I consulted with PBA Alaska Aces Trainor Gus Vargas, where I was an understudy for a few months for the Team. PBA official doctor, Dra. Pie Aycardo, was also consulted. She was was my doctor and was very helpful in bringing me back from my basketball-related injury in 2010.

Level Up trains as young as 5 year old & Parent's who aspire to teach their kids the science of basketball and the values you can get from playing the game.

Level Up's mission-vision is to produce Student-Athletes that are responsible in their academic load too.

Level Up consistently produces student-athletes who plays UAAP, NCAA and other schools having a competitive basketball programs. The benefits are overflowing and the scholarship they get from these schools is just the icing on the cake.

Now Level Up is on its 3rd year, we are now looking into the addition of Module 3 to complete a year-round training and tournament program.    Hopefully, Level Up will produce more student-athletes and help more parents in getting their kids into sports.

If you want your game to be good, better or best, Level Up!


Coach Leo Molina
Founder

Seminar & Workshop @ St. Andrew's School 2012

I'll be in St. Andrew's School-Paranaque today and on Thursday with Ms. Sonia Mendoza to give another round of talk on Special Education. Ms. Sonia and I have been giving workshops and seminars since 2007  and somehow our tandem is working effectively.

For this year's edition, our topics will be more on Spotting and Handling Learning Difficulties in the Regular Classrooms. Although I've always been excited to do these endeavors, I feel I could have rested a bit more before plunging into action once more. Beacon School commencement happened last Friday with Mr. Jim Paredes of the APO Hiking Society gave the commencement speech on practical matters. I was glad he gave that kind of speech to our 8th graders. Going back to my previous statement, I wish this workshop could have been scheduled another week later. I never really had time to rest over the weekend as I needed to attend to personal stuffs.

But I'm ready, I'm just tired.

I haven't played online chess in a long while.

For today and on Thursday, I pray that everything will go smooth and that all of the participants, including us, will find it useful for in their classroom teaching.

Also, I think at 2 in the afternoon the the Senate Impeachment Court will resume and the buzz is that Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and his gang will be handing out their verdict over CJ Corona case. That CJ which showed the whole world the audacity to tell everyone this:

"The Chief Justice of the Republic of the Philippines wishes to be excused."

Because of this and the happenings right after he walked off the Earth, I mean walked out of the courtroom, he now is seen by the whole world as someone who used his medical condition to be excused from cross-examination. He also has become a member of the disgraceful "WheelChair Club" with former president GMA who used the wheelchair to show everyone that  they are sick and should not be bothered by these courtroom dramas.

Jessica Sanchez losses against an American, what the hell were you guys expecting? A non-American winning a contests for Americans? Please stop this craziness. And a video came out showing who strike first in the Raymart Santiago/Claudine Barreto-Ramon Tulfo fist fight over at NAIA. It was the couple's friend wearing a pink shirt.

And while all these TeleNovela is happening and satisfying the Filipino thirst for more comedies, the Philippines is doing badly in the Scarborough Shoal, no thanks to our government who would rather satisfy the demands of our foreign investors than promote our own interest.

Grace Lee continues to hug the limelight and Lourd de Veyra's shows continue to provide the only sane show in Philippine TV.

I need to go now before I forget, call time is 8 in the morning.

Pilipinas sa loob ng 48 Oras

Kaninang umaga, pagkagising ko naalala ko na mayroong Annular Solar Eclipse. Paalis na ko ng bahay ng dumating ang isang kapitbahay namin, may dalang solar glass at pinapagamit sa mga anak ko. Syempre ako muna ang sumubok at ang nakit ko ay ang simula ng eclipse. Medyo letter e pa lang ang nakita ko, yung pumuporma pa lang na matakpan ang araw ng isa pang bagay na pangkalawakan. Hanggang sa pagdaan ko palabas ng Southern  City subdivision, ang mga tila inaantok pang mga kapitbahay ko ay pawang mga nakatingala sa itaas. Karamihan ay mayroong hawak na film ng x-ray at ginagamit na panangga ng sinag ng araw sa kanilang mga mata.

Nakalimutan na ang buong kwento ng eclipse pagdating ko sa trabaho ko, sa paaralan kung saan ako ay nagtuturo ng Filipino sa mga Middle Schoolers. Gumawa ako ng mga kaukulang rebisyon sa mga marka ng grado ng mga estudyante ko hanggang magtanghalian. Medyo makulimlim pero sa gym ng paaralan namin, punong-puno ng saya at buhay. May nagtatakbuhan at may naglalaro ng basketball.

Sa kabilang banda, sa football field naman ay may grupo ng mga middle schoolers na pawis na pawis at tuwang-tuwang naghahabol sa isang bola ng football.

Walang gulo at puro saya ang buhay ng mga batang ito.

Nagayos-ayos ako ng mga gamit ko na iuuwi para sa nalalapit na summer break ng aming paaralan. Madami ang reading materials ko for summer. Mga IB publications at language learning activities and theories. Ok na ito at least bagong babasahin naman para sa akin.

Paguwi ko ng bahay at nanood ng balita, heto na puno ng balita tungkol kay Lady Gaga. Balitang nakakatawa at balitang nakakaasar.Lady Gaga, kahit anong sabihin nila, naniniwala akong isa syang naliligaw na kaluluwa at nanliligaw ng iab pang kaluluwa. Isa sya sa mga kampon ng demonyo. Sa kanyang mga awit at lifestyle, makikita natin na pawang kademonyohan ang kanyang dala.

May isang Obispo ng ating mahal na simbahan na nagsabi na kung sino man ang manood ng concert nya ngayong gabi, malamang siya ay kabilang gilid ng Kalangitan.

Ang masaklap nito, ang mga tinitingalang mga artista ang pangunahing nagsipila para sa concert. Oh di ba? Ang mga artistang ito na malakas ang hatak sa kaisipan ng mga kabataan ang siyang nagpapakita ng pagsuway sa sa kautusan ng simbahan.

Mabigat ito mga kumpadre.

Kaya nga ako at ang ilan sa mga kasamahan ko sa pagtuturo, buwisit na buwisit sa mga hinayupak na mga artista. Ang lalaki ng mga sweldo, ang sasarap ng mga buhay at ang lakas ng impluwensya sa pagiisip ng karamihan, sa kultura at sa kung ano ano pang mga bagay na may epekto sa buhay ni Juan de la Cruz.

Isa ang show business na mayroong malaking kinakaing porsyento sa mass media at hatak nito ang telebisyon, pelikula, internet, radyo, dyaryo at ilan pang mga babasahing materyal.

Mass media ang pinakamatinding kalaban ng edukasyon.  Magulo ito at lalo pang gumugulo.

Hanggang sa mga oras na ito, ang concert ni Lady Gaga ay nagpapatuloy at ang maraming tao na nagpo-protesta laban dito ay sumasabay din. Ang lupit di ba?

At bukas naman, si CJ Corona ay sasalang na sa impeachment court.

Solar eclipse sa umaga, Lady Gaga concert sa gabi at Impeachment Court bukas. Ang tindi ng Pilipinas.

At namamagitan sa mga ito ay ang Scarborough Shoal, ng umento sa sweldo at pagbaba ng presyo ng langis. kasama na rin ang balitang panghahalay ng isang German national sa ampon nilang mag-asawa. Nariyan din ang balitang Raymart at Tulfo at ang pagbubukas ng iskwela. At nariyan din ang balita at CCTV footage ng isang Panamanian national at Pinay na papasok sa condo ng banyaga sa disoras ng gabi, may laplapan pang ginawa ang dalawa sa loob ng elevator bago bumaba ang mga ito. Ngayon nasa Panama na ang banyaga at ang ating kaawa-awang kababayan ay umiiyak ng rape, humihingi ng hustisya.

Ano na nga ba ang patutunguhan ng Pilipinas? Nang Daigdig?

Magulo bro!

CCTV Footage of Filipina with Panama National

At lumabas ang video ng isa nating kababayan na nagrereklamo ng rape laban sa isang lalaking taga-Panama na mayroon daw diplomatic immunity. Matinding materyales ito pabor sa banyagang inirereklamo ng rape.

Simpleng logic lang mga kababayan ang kailangan natin dito at hindi ko na alam kung paano pa ipaglalaban ng grupong Gabriela ang kababayan natin. Ano nga ang kahulugan ng rape ayun sa ating batas? SA aking pagkakaalam, ang rape ay nangyayari kapag ang sexual act ipinilit lamang ng isang tao sa isa pa. Marami pang elemento ang napapaloob sa usaping ito at ang mga abugado ay maraming masasabi rito.

Isa lang ang nakikita ko dito, ang ating kababayan ay sumama sa condominium ng banyagang ito, nakita din sa CCTV footage na sa loob ng elevator ay naghalikan silang dalawa. Alas-onse ng gabi sila pumasok ng condo ng banyaga at lumabas ang babae ng mga magaal-una ng umaga. Hindi umiiyak ang babae, nakangiti pa nga ng siya ay kinausap ng lalake sa lobby.

Nasaan nga ba ang rape? Hindi ipinakita sa CCTV footage at sigurado ako na silang dalawa lang ang nakakaalam ng katotohanan. Marapat lamang na bigyan ng pagkakataon ang ating kababayan na marinig ang kanyang hinaing. Mali na ang sariling ahensya ng Pilipinas, DFA, ang magsasabi na maglalabas ng official statement na mayroong diplomatic immunity ang isang dayuhan na nahaharap sa kaso. Isang malaking sampal at dura sa lahing Pilipino ang ganitong gawain.
Kaya heto, panooring natin:

Pagtatapos ng Klase

Oo tama ang nabasa mong titulo ng post ko, pagtatapos ng klase. Pasensya na kung praning ang dating sa inyo, baligtad ang mundo ko. Habang ang karamihan sa inyo, mga nubenta'y kuwatro porsyento ng Pilipas, ay naghahanda na sa darating na pasukan ng klase ngayong Hunyo, ako at ang maliit na porsyento ng mga guro, mag-aaral at mga admistrador sa mga international schools dito sa Pilipinas ay naghahanda naman para sa aming summer break.

Sinusunod kasi namin ang tinatawag na Northern hemisphere school calendar kung saan ang bakasyon sa panahon ng tag-araw ay Hunyo hanggang Hulyo at ang balik-iskwela naman namin ay Agosto.

Halos tapos na ang panahon ng gawaan ng grades para sa aming mga estudyante. Natapagsumite na ang mga Middle School Years students ko ng kani-kanilang mga Summatives. Oo, summatives ang tawag namin sa mga major exams nila, at hindi ito paper and pencil test. Ang ibinigay kong mga requirements sa mga estudyante ko mula grades 6 hanggang grades 8 ay Video monologues kung saan kailangan nilang isalaysay sa wikang Filipino ang mga target vocab namin. Depende ito syempre sa klase.

Ang Grade 6 ay tungkol sa Pamilya at Kaibigan. Ang Grade 7 ay tungkol sa Serbisyo at Pamimili at ang Grade 8 ay tungkol sa Pamumuhay sa Pilipinas. Masaya ang aming mga units para sa ikatlong termino namin. At lalong masaya ang lahat dahil pagkatapos ng bukas, Biyernes, ika-18 ng Mayo, eh limang araw na lang bakasyon na kami. Oo, hanggang sa ika-25 na lang kami ng Mayo.

Masarap maging guro at lalong masarap maging guro sa iskwelahan na kung saan may sapat na resources para sa iyong pagtuturo.

Ang taong ito, 2011-2012, ay isang malaking rebelasyon para sa akin. Ngayong taon na ito kasi una ko naranasan magturo sa Middle School at unang beses ko rin naranasan magturo ng Filipino as a Second Language.

Masaya, hindi boring at lalong lalong nakakapagbigay buhay sa aking pagiging Filipino. Kaya nga nagpapasalamat ako sa mga tao na naisipang kunin akong Filipino Teacher mula sa pagiging Permanent Reserve Teacher ko sa PYP.

Oo, medyo bago ang mga acronyms na binabanggit ko sa inyo. Ang PYP naman ang ibig sabihin nito ay Primary Years Program. Ang MYP, PYP at DP at mga programa na isinusulong ng IBO o yung tinatawag na International Baccalaureatte Organization na ang punong opisina ay matatagpuan sa Geneva, Switzerland.

Kung hindi pa dahil sa Kursong Filipino ay di ko malalaman na ang salitang Filipino na "sa" ay isang napaprolific at felxible na salita. Ang "sa" ay mayroong siyam na gamit, kung ano ang mga iyon, sa ibang post ko na lang sasabihin.

O sya, kaya ko nga pala nasabi ang mga ito kasi tapos na ko gumawa ng grades at nakapaglaro ako ng 20-minute games sa ChessCube ngayong madaling araw. Dalawang laro, dalawang panalo. Yung unang panalo ko time forfeit kalaban ko at yung pangalawa nag-resign dahil sa heavy loss of materials.

Panoorin natin:

 

Drawn Game Against Caro-Kann

Heto ang isang laro ko sa ChessCube habang naghihintay ng oras kung tawagin ay after lunch. Nai-draw ko yung laro pagkatapos ko mapakain yung Rook ko, kasi naman nakikipag-chat ako sa Esmi ko habang naglalaro.

Medyo nagustuhan ko yung laro namin sa opening stage ng laro, pakiramdam ko bentahe ako, 15/g itong laro na ito, ibig sabihin labin-limang minuto ang kada player. Susumahin mo isang oras tatagal ang larong ito kung magkakaubusan ng oras.

Buti na lang nakaligtas ako ng Draw sa kalaban ko. Sayang lang kasi tingin ko kakayanin ko yung mga maneobra ng kalaban ko kung hindi ko naipamigay yung Rook ko, hinayaan ko kasing mai-fork ako ng Queen nya.

Anyways, heto na yung laro:

Filipino Language for my Blog

With the introduction of DepEd K-12 curriculum this year and the proliferation of reading materials in Filipino like Bob Ong's books and Lourd de Veyra's seminal thoughts, works and words, I am forced (inspired na lang!) to write in Filipino after this post.

Can I do it? Will I have the vocabulary fund (word bank) to sustain this task?

I tried to go Filipino last time when I started my Pinoy sa Morocco Blog but somehow I went back to posting in English.

What if I go Taglish? Englog?

Whatever it is, I feel I should answer one basic question and that is "How will I express myself better using this blog, should I write in English or in Filipino?

Maybe I'll use both. I'll try.

With my one year experience as an MYP Language B Filipino Teacher tucked in under my belly, I thinkI should really move forward and use Filipino.

I'll really try.

Until then!


  

Mother's Day 2012

This year's mother's day is celebrated on May 14, Sunday. All over the world, Mother's day is celebrated every second Saturday of May. Every year, the whole world recognizes and celebrates the important role mothers have.

If you want a historical background of the beginnings of Mother's day celebration, you may want to Google the Anna Jarvis and Grafton, West Virginia. Two years after her mother's death in May 1907, Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in her church. The service took the form of an appreciation of her mother and those of all the attendees. In 1909, this idea or practice became a common thing statewide. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson Established Mother's Day as a National Holiday.

Ironically, Anna Jarvis and her sister Ellsinore, campaigned against the what the holiday celebration had become. The person who did so much to promote the remembrance of every mother on Earth died of poverty fighting against the commercialization of the holiday.

Every mother would love a visit or phone call from their children on this day so whatever gift you may have for them, make sure you deliver it personally.

Anna Jarvis said:

A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. And candy! You take a box to Mother—and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment.

Read more about it.

Happy Mothers day to all the mothers in the world!

Thanks and happy mothers day to my mom,  Cora Buenaventura and to my mother-in-law, Emy Dandan! Above all, I'd like to say thank you to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her unending maternal love to me and the rest of her followers!

I'd like to share this book about her, The Glories of Mary.

Extending RP's Territory: Benham Rise is Ours!

In the midst of China's territorial pissing over at Scarborough Shoal, our claim to Benham Rise, a 13-million hectare area off the coast of Aurora, my father's hometown. The United Nation Commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf has approved our claim to ownership recently.

We get some, we lose some and this newly-acquired area is much bigger than the size of Luzon which is only 10.5 hectares and is a possible source of minerals and natural gas.

There's Continental Drift, Continental Breakfast and Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile, all of which are not new to us. But what is a Continental Shelf?

Well there are so many websites to give us scholarly and practical answers to our question so I better share them here:

• Continental Shelf @ Wikipedia
• Office of Naval Research: Continental Margin and Rise
• UNEP Shelf Programme 
• Anna Cavnar: Deciding Who Owns the Ocean Floor
• PHL's Claim to Benham Rise

Me and my family is scheduled to visit Casiguran and Dinalungan via Baler this year. All of which are towns in the Province of Aurora. Will we be able to island-hop and see for ourselves this new Philippine territory? Or this will just be one of those "Philippine treasures" that lived the life of a white elephant? Will the Philippine Government be putting in the necessary program and implement it for the good of our country?

What will it be?

Please read the PDF called PHL's Claim to Benham Rise and get to know more of your new territory, Filipinos should know.

Thanks to Rappler.com for the story!

Asian Continental Chess Championship 2012

The 11th Asian Continental Individual Open and Women's Chess Championship is the qualifying tournament for the World Cup and Women's World Championship. Vietnam Chess Federation is the host for this event which started May 4, Friday. Official count of players: 70 for Open section and 40 for Women's section. The tournament is a 9-round Swiss System with Phuong Trang as the main sponsor.

The Asian Chess Federation Deputy President Casto Abundo is a Filipino and has been with FIDE for almost two decades now, a hold-over from Campomanes regime.

Top five performers after Round 5 or should I say 5 after 5:

1. GM Yu Yangi of China with 4.5 points
2. IM Qingnan Liu of China with 4 points
3. GM John Paul Gomez of the Philippines with 4 points
4. GM Liren Ding of China with 4 points
5. GM Parimarjan Negi of India with 4 points 

Philippine's Official entry and score after 5 rounds:

• GM Wesley So (5th seed), with 3 points
• GM Rogelio Antonio Jr (13th seed), WITHDREW
• GM Oliver Barbosa (16th seed), with 3.5 points
• GM Mark Paragua (23rd seed), with 3.5 points
• GM John Paul Gomez (30th seed), with 4 points
• GM Darwin Laylo (31st seed), with 2 points
• GM Eugenio Torre (33rd seed), with 1.5 points
• IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia (50th seed) with 2 points

Four more rounds to go and we will find out if another Pinoy will have a chance to play in the World Cup 2013.

For the Women's section, we have the top five performers after 5 rounds:

1. WGM Irene Kharisma Sukandar of Indonesia with 4.5 points
2. WGM Thi Thanh An Nguyen of Vietnam with 4 points
3. IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul of Mongolia with 4 points
4. WGM Yixin Ding of China with 4 points
5. WGM Thi Bao Tram Hoang with 3.5 points   

Good luck to all the participants in the Asian Chess Championship! I just thought FM Paulo Bersamina should have have played in this tournament.

Here I go again, I've said this so many times...

Wesley So has been very consistent in all his games and I wonder if he has lost his passion for the game. It does happen and when it does, one must take a break from the game. I wish his fans would make him realize this, his parents too.

Burn out? Probably!  

Wesley you don't need to play the game if you don't want to. There is so much more outside of the chess arena. Huwag mong' panghinayangan yan, it will come around again. Sometimes gifts can be so hard to let go of especially when all your life, that's all you've had, chess, chess and chess. Ibang level lang talaga ang chess when it comes to World Cup and World Championship. Giftedness and talent is not enough, dedication and commitment must be part of the equation. Discipline dude, discipline.

I wish nothing but the best for you. Good luck! 

Hitler Reacts to Tulfo-Santiago Brawl

The Tulfo-Santiago brawl is still showing and Filipinos all over the world are watching! Here's the video just in case you haven't seen it yet.

We forgot all about Jessica Sanchez, Scarborough Shoal and the blatant Chinese claim that they also own the Philippines. I arrived home tonight and was welcomed with the words "Pa, nakakainis to si Raymart, paiyak-iyak pa sa interview!"

The issue has fueled the imagination of many and right now, the video uploaded by RonnVillanueva over at YouTube is gaining viewership by the minute. I just love the subtitles put in the Hitler movie and it summed up most of the problems and issues we have right now in the Philippines.

Here it is:

 

I've downloaded this one just in case it is removed from Youtube just like the TV5 T3 Episode where they gave threatening statement against Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto. I saw that episode and at first, the Tulfo Brothers made a disclaimer like in light of journalistic ethical blah-blahs. Then they took turns, giving the viewers and MTRCB shivers. Today, the Tulfo Brothers have been suspended!

And yes, Raymart replied with tears in front of the camera. This fine acting might give him that elusive FAMAS Award.

Imagine Claudine and Raymart, together with a friend in pink shirt giving Mon Tulfo the black eye and bruises? Bad for the Tulfo brand.

Empty warehouse? Airport and mall? I think Raymart should impose the house-arrest for the entire family.

Running a Scholastic Chess Club

The Beacon Chess Club, the one I moderate, coach and monitor, will have its final two meetings this week. We meet twice a week for eight weeks every term. We have 3 terms in one school year so that makes a total of 48 meetings in a year.

For our last two sessions, we will be watching the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer. Already, my second session players are excited and asked if they can bring party food. Of course I answered in affirmative.

Since 2003 I have supervised and coached scholastic chess clubs, all of which from international schools here in the Philippines. I have seen repeating patterns in running a chess club. The first time you offer it, you will get a huge turn-out for registration. But as the weeks pass, the "real ones" stay and persevere in learning the game while those who registered for "finding-out" sake, stop attending the club meetings.

I can't really blame those kids for not wanting chess. Chess is not for everyone but its worth finding out if the game is for them or not. Chess is boring, its difficult and its time consuming. It takes away "talk-time" for those who plays the game and these days, our youth would rather talk than think.

On the other hand, I've seen kids register in the club and never miss a session. These are the kids who share my passion for the game. I can't really give you guys what kind of kids they are. Some are nerdy and some are sporty. Some are into music and some are into poetry.

Running a scholastic chess club clearly eradicates the geeky chess player type in one's mind.

I never had a chess coach or a guide when I was an elementary student and I know exactly how it feels when you long to learn and play the game but the opportunity just don't show up.

I give my students this chance to learn, enjoy and play the game of chess.

Ralph E. Brown, a scholastic chess coach in the States, wrote the book A Beginners Guide to Coaching Scholastic Chess in 2006.  A very successful chess coach he is, he had this basic coaching philosophy which I admire, remember and use as a guide for my own chess teaching and coaching:

"I do not coach Chess to make future Grandmasters out of my players and there is nothing in this book that will help you coach future Grandmasters. I coach Chess because it is the only activity available to K-12 students that they can do their entire life regardless of their physical condition. I coach Chess because it is an activity that helps families be together as a family. I coach Chess because it helps my students to become better learners. Finally, I coach Chess because I love the game!"

Your approach to scholastic chess club is very, very different from your local chess club. Local chess clubs exists because there are players who need exposure to different opponent's playing skills. These are the players who are ready to move on from the advanced beginner level to intermediate level. For scholastic chess players, you will have players who knows nothing about the game except the fact that to play the game, you will have to move pieces of different kinds.

Ain't it cute?

So why aren't you running a scholastic chess club in your school? Of course, playing the game is different from teaching the game.

Oh I need to go now, my K1-G2 students are waiting for me and my assistant coach in the school lobby. We will be watching Susan Polgar's Learning Chess The Easy Way DVD while munching on some Krispy Cream I bought just before lunchtime.

Bye!

World Chess Championship 2012 Rules and Regulations

The World Chess Championship 2012 is on May 10, two days from now. You guys better not miss a single game. It will be fought in Moscow between two seasoned players, reigning world chess champion Vishy Anand from India and challenger Boris Gelfand from Israel.

And here are the rules and regulations, summed up by BusinessWorld's Chess Piece columnist Bobby Ang:

The match will consist of 12 games with a time control for each game of 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves and then 15 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting after move 61 has been made.

If the scores are level after the regular 12 games, then we go into tie breaks.

1. Four tie-break games will be played with 25 minutes for each player with an increment of 10 seconds after each move

2. If the scores are still level, then a match of two games shall be played with a time control of five minutes plus three seconds increment after each move. In case of a level score, another two-game match will be played to determine a winner. If still there is no winner after five such matches (total 10 games), we will go into sudden death.

3. In sudden death the player who wins the drawing of lots may choose the color. The player with the white pieces shall receive five minutes, the player with the black pieces shall receive four minutes whereupon, after the 60th move, both players shall receive an increment of three seconds from move 61. In case of a draw the player with the black pieces is declared the winner.

And my Scribd copy of the complete set of rules and regulations, including the schedule for the event, for the World Chess Championship 2012:  

FIDE World Championship 2012 Rules and Regulations

Writings of Blessed Maria Agreda

I have been trying to add to my collection the fourth book of Blessed Maria Agreda Mystical City of God but I just can't and I don't know why. Over at Scribd, Miguel Vas has this tons of documents and I've been collecting most of his documents including the four books of Mystical City of God.

Here is one of Miguel Vas set of collection which you guys might find appealing: The Writings of Blessed Maria of Agreda.

The NAIA Incident: Tulfo vs Mr. and Mrs. Santiago

Le'me piggy back ride on the recent internet surge and show you the NAIA incident involving Mon Tulfo and Raymart Santiago and the rest of his homies (while his children were watching on the sidelines).

 

Whoever started the fight never thought of anything like this big. It is the talk of the town, in primetime news, blogs, websites and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Mon Tulfo was at the receiving end this time and in one of the interviews he said "Masakit pala madehado" (It is painful to be in a losing situation). Mon Tulfo's siblings, Raffy, Erwin and Ben, in their TV 5 show called T3 reminded Raymart that its not yet over.

And while netizens like you and me are feasting on this celebrity death match, the airline called Cebu Pacific is inching away from it.

But what is the reason for this?

The luggage of the Santiago family was off-loaded and this caused Claudine Barretto complain to the ground stewardess of the Cebu Pacific. Mon Tulfo claims he heard Claudine verbally abuse the stewardess which witnesses and Cebu Pacific employees present confirm to be true but Claudine denies this.

And the rest they say... is now showing!

FIDE Newsletter May 2012

Here is the FIDE's Chess in Schools Newsletter for the month of May 2012:
FIDE CIS Newsletter May 2012

UN Observances for May 2012

Remember our post about FilAm Event across America for May 2012? Well I got this email from our school librarian about the United Nation's Observances during May.

May 3           World Press Freedom Day


May 8-9        Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for those
                       who lost their lives during the World War II


May 14-15    World Migratory Bird (UNEP)


May 15          International Day of Families


May 17          World Telecommunication and Information Society Day


May 21          World Day for Cultural Diversity for
                        Dialogue and Development


May 22          International Day for Biodiversity


May 29          International Day of UN Peacekeepers


May 31          World No-Tobacco Day

Watch out for the trending of these topics and keywords for the whole month of May.

Results of 2nd Isulong Mo Chess Tournament

The results of the 2nd Isulong Mo Rapid Chess Tournament last May 1 is here courtesy of NA Gatz Luz. The tournament had two divisions, the Non-Master and the Kiddies. Organized by the Sicilian Chess Club in cooperation with Alphaland Southgate Mall. Tournament officials were NA Alex Dinoy as the Tournament Director, IA Rolly Yutoc as the Chief Arbiter, national arbiters Alfredo Chay, Milo Samaniego and Gatz Luz.

Just in case you don't know what those initials stand for:

IA - International Arbiter
NA - National Arbiter

The Top Ten for the Non-Master Section:

1. Ivan Gil Biag with 7 points
2. Roel Abelgas with 6.5 
3. Jerry Areque 
4. Garry Garcia
5. Dennis San Juan
6. Nelon Mariano III
7. Christy Lamiel Bernales
8. Narquinden Reyes
9. Timothy So Kua with 6 points
10. Narquingel Reyes with 6 points

A bunch of familiar names ruled the top ten for the non-master section. Surprisingly, I found the names Timothy So Kua and Christy Lamiel Bernales. Bernales has not been landing in the top spot in a very long time while So Kua placed 9th in a field full of veteran weekend players. On the 20th spot is DLSU's main player for the women's team,  Jan Jodilyn Fronda. She probably received the Top Lady Award but Bernales is on the 7th spot so how could the latter bag the Top Lady Award?

2nd Isulong Mo - Non-Master


The Top Ten for the Kiddies Section:

1. Charles Abuzo with 7 points
2. Tucker Howard Biernes
3. Kenneth Melwyn Baltazar
4. Giovanni Mejia
5. Kyz Llantada
6. Juan Carlos Presente
7. Mark James 2 Marcella
8. John Christopher Inoncillo
9. Ian Jasper Forcado
10. Carl Terrence Valdellon

From the list, there are two familiar names: Baltazar and Mejia. Both are veteran tournament players at a very young age. Gone are the names like Lagula, Nazario, Garcia, Medina and other age-groupers. Most of these players have gone up to junior and open tournaments. 

Of course we also have FM Paulo Bersamina who holds the Philippine record as the youngest National Junior Chess Champion at the age of 12. 

So here is the Scribd copy of the 2nd Isulong Mo Kiddies Section:

2nd Isulong Mo - Kiddies Final

Fil-Am events across America May 2012

Here is your events calendar for all Filipinos living, working and most probably finding luck in America. All these activities are organized by Filipino-Americans which aims to promote the Filipino Culture among the members of the Filipino communities.

Thanks to Asian Publication Journal for the weekly informative email messages.


May 2 SF Giants Filipino Heritage Night 

Join the Filipino American Arts Exposition (FAAE) and the Bay Area Filipino Community on Wednesday, May 2 at the 5th annual Filipino Heritage Night when the San Francisco Giants take on the Miami Marlins. This event sells out every year, so be sure to secure your tickets as soon as possible! Buy your tickets today: www.SFGiants.com/SpecialEvents

May 4 Annual Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE) 

Two days of exciting programming with invited, keynote, and contributed talks and posters. There is networking opportunities for US and Philippine based members with government and industry. Theme "Science and Engineering Challenges for Society and Sustainability". Contributions from selected topics on biological sciences, biomedical sciences, chemistry, physics, materials, and engineering are accepted as oral contributions or posters. Poster session and sponsored events. Delegates from the Philippines (government, universities, Industry) will be participating. Sponsored by the University of Houston and other donors.  Event will be held on May 4-5 at the Hilton University of Houston.  To register, fill in the form (website) and send with registration fees to Dr. Jean Tiong-Koehler.  Address to send fees are in the form. Send inquiries related to registration to tiongj@ninds.nih.gov

Lea Salonga: The Journey Continues 

THE Town Hall, Broadway's landmark concert and theatre venue, located at 123 West 43rd Street , is pleased to present Lea Salonga: The Journey Continues. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning actress and recording artist will perform in concert on Friday, May 4, 2012 at 8pm. Tickets, priced at $55, $50 and $45, are now available via Ticketmaster.com (800) 982-2787.

May 5 TAGABANUA: A Philippine Dance Project by Jay Loyola 

The Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC), in conjunction with the American Center of Philippine Arts (ACPA), is proud to announce the U.S. premiere of Tagabanua (tah-gah-BAhN-wah) by renowned folkloric choreographer Jay Loyola on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 8pm at OACC. This is the inaugural piece of ACPA's new Emerging Works program. For more information on Tagabanua, please visit the American Center of Philippine Arts website: http://philippinearts.org/tagabanua.htm

May 6 Miss Philippines USA 2012 Coronation Night

This year's winner will receive over $20,000 in cash and prizes, record a commercial for ABS CBN Foundation, receive a modeling contract, become the ambassador of good will for the Fil-Am community for the entirety of her reign.Finalists will have the option to advance to other pageants with the support and assistance of Miss Philippines USA, both domestic and international.  Event will be held at the Marriot Hotel, Burbank, CA.  Doors open at 5pm.  Pageant start at 7pm.

National Museum of the Pacific War features Forgotten Soldiers

On May 6, 2012 the National Museum of the Pacific War will showcase Forgotten Soldiers, a new documentary movie about the U.S. Army's Philippine Scouts and the terrible ordeal they and their comrades suffered through on Bataan, Corregidor, and in Japanese prison camps. Event will be held at the National Museum of the Pacific War, 340 E. Main St., Fredericksburg, TX.

May 10 Community Reception for U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas

The U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance - Los Angeles (USP4GG-LA) hosts an intimate reception for Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr., on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Carla's Café - CBS Studios, 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, California 91604 in Studio City, California. The Office of the Ambassador reached out to the LA Filipino community through Ms. Loida Nicholas Lewis, Chair of the USP4GG, and through Ms. Rocio Nuyda, Secretary of the USP4GG Board of Trustees to have interaction with the LA Filipino-American community. Ambassador Thomas is a proponent for issues that are of interest to Filipinos, both abroad and in the Philippines, as the leader of the American Embassy in Manila.  $35 (Prepaid Online at USP4AMB.EVENTBRITE.COM) by MAY 3, 2012. Seats extremely limited. Reservations on first come, first serve basis while seats are available. Event will be closed once capacity has been reached. Contact Rocio Nuyda rocion@msn.com or Ted Benito paelive@tdrz.net.

May 12 Healing priest celebrates 10th Anniversary

On May 12, 2012, healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez commemorates the 10th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood with a gathering among friends and supporters of his ministry, Mary Mother of the Poor (MMP), at the Quiet Cannon, 901 Via San Clemente, Montebello, CA. "It will be an evening of fun with Fr. Suarez and friends of MMP," echoed contacts Sugar Ray (626) 991-4015 and Jeannia Parayna (626) 991-9184. Donation is $75 per person.

Cabiao Association USA Annual Fiesta family picnic

CAUSA is inviting all members and non-members of Cabiao Association USA to their Annual Family Picnic to be held on May 12, 2012 at Schabarum Regional Park, at 17250 E. Colima Road, Rowland Heights, CA 91748  (Pepper Tree Picnic Area). There will be a Traditional Food Pinoy Specialties, Games, Entertainments, Prizes, for everyone to enjoy. Please coordinate with the following officers: Lulu Driz (213) 819-6387; Jimmy Santiago-(951)205-3661; Aning Policarpio (310) 775-0820; Ming Paras (626922-3385).

Santacruzan at St. Mark's Episcopalian Church

Everyone is invited to attend the Santacruzan at St. Mark's Episcopalian Church in Van Nuys. This is the Filipino celebration of the Santa Cruzan or Flores de mayo at 5:50 p.m. and we have Sagalas and Contantino or escort.

CAM Presentation Ball

The Catholic Action of Mary would be presenting the sagalas for the 34th Santacruzan and Flores De Mayo on May 12, 6:30pm at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel.  For more information please visit www.catholicaction of Mary.

May 19 2nd Annual Santacruzan in Manhattan at Alphabet City

Everyone is invited to the 2nd Annual Santacruzan in Manhattan at Alphabet City in loving memory of Rev. Fr. Misael "Mike" Bacleon.  Event will be held at 185 Ave. D and 12th St. New York, NY 10009.  Holy Mass 12:30pm, Novena Procession 2pm, presentation of Reynas/Sagalas 3pm, outdoor fellowship reception 4pm.

Los Angeles launch of My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood

"My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood," the first book of U.S.-based journalist and Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Ruben V. Nepales, is a collection of inspiring interviews with talents of Filipino heritage who are making a name in the American entertainment industry, especially in Hollywood. Having successfully launched the book in Manila this month, Nepales will be hosted by friends and colleagues at a special book launch on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 3:00 pm at the CBS Studio Center, in 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604.

May 25 St. Paul Grand Reunion Event 

Alumni from all St. Paul's Universities and Colleges in the Philippines will gather in Washington, DC on May 25 and 26, 2012 for a grand reunion event. Over 300 Paulinians from all batches and branches are expected to come to the nation's capital for a long weekend reception, culminating in a gala night on Saturday, May 26, at the Tysons Corner Marriott, 8029 Leesburg Pike Tysons Corner, VA 22182. Information on activities, sponsorships, and tickets is available on www.paulinianglobal.org or email paulinian.alumni@gmail.com.

May 26 PAFCOM 22nd Friendship & Coronation Gala 

The Philippine American Friendship Committee (PAFCOM) request the honor
of your presence for an evening of dinner and dancing at their 22nd Friendship & Coronation Gala on Saturday, May 26 at the Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel, 128 Frontage Road, Newark, NJ at 6 pm.  Formal/Filipiniana Attire.  Donation is $110.  For details, please call Elaine Referente at (201) 716 - 9580;  Leslie Dimaya  (201) 988-1489; Ysadora Clarin (201) 653-1727; and Erno Hormillosa (646) 637-6337, Carmen Flores (201) 993-1158, Lita Pena (201) 232-1742.

Noli Me Tangere

Jose Rizal's: famous novel Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not), was written in l887, yet resonates with the "social cancer" it hoped to quell in many present day countries, even after 150 years. It will come alive in da Corneto Opera's world premiere presentation at the Harris Theatre for Dance and Music, on Saturday, May 26 @ 7pm and Sunday, May 27 @ 3pm. Tickets range from $35 to $90, and are available from Harris Theatre, 205 E. Randolph Street, Chicago, (312) 334-7777. Box Office Hours are: Monday to Friday, 12noon to 6pm. Or: online at http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/events/2011-2012-season/11-12-dacorneto. Student discounts are available.

PCG-SF Golf Tournament

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco cordially invites you to join the Golf Tournament to be held on May 26, 2012 (Saturday) at the Deer Ridge Golf Course in Brentwood, CA. This golf tournament is part of the activities to mark the 114th Anniversary of Philippine Independence on 12 June 2012.  Tee-off time is 12:00 noon (Shotgun start). Awards will be given (low gross/low net) and various prizes wil be raffled off to lucky participants. Fee is $100. inclusive of green fee, cart and dinner. For more information, please call Doy Ver (415) 433-6666 ext 319
or Tony Limgenco (415) 760-9850.

Wil Time Bigtime

TV5 International kicks off its North American launch by bringing TV5's popular television program "Wil Time Bigtime" to Filipinos living in the United States. Host Willie Revillame will visit Los Angeles on May 26 at the Shrine Auditorium and San Francisco on June 2 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium for a limited series of live concerts. Don't miss this chance to catch Willie Revillame and other TV5 stars, live! Tickets will be available at Ticketmaster and select ticket outlets. For ticket inquiries and reservations, call 1-855-KAPATID (1-855-527-2843) or email KapatidTV5@gmail.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Creative Concepts at 1-888-886-7889, or email CreativeConceptsIntl@gmail.com.

May 27 34th Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo

The Catholic Action of Mary (CAM) will hold the 34th Santacruzan and Flores De Mayo in Jersey City on Sunday, May 27, 2012 at St. Mary's Church (Second St./Erie St.). Ms. Ledy Almadin, 34th Santacruzan and Flores De Mayo Chairperson announced the Reynas of this year's Santacruzan and Flores De Mayo. The Reynas are Katherine Alcebar - Reyna Elena, Mikeala Banzuela - Reyna Del Cielo, Gabrielle Mari Manahan - Reyna De Las Flores. For further information, please check our website www.catholicactionofmary.com, facebook page Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo.

One Heart for Hope Charity Event 

The 2012 One Heart for Hope Annual Fundraising Event - "Hope Shines Through" will be held on Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Phoenix Club, Anaheim, CA.  One Heart for Hope is a recognized U.S. charity, registered under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Tax ID 26- 3057344). Therefore, your donation will be 100% tax deductible. Please visit our website at www.oneheartforhope.org to learn more of what we do or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@oneheartforhope.org.

May 31 Brown Strokes on White Canvas 2012 

Dulcie Dee is one of the artists participating in the "BROWN STROKES ON WHITE CANVAS 2012" Lasting Impressions Group Art Exhibit at the Philippine Embassy, Washington, DC opening May 31 - June 4, 2012. Dee will be exhibiting her new "Floral Fantasies" drawing, using only color pencil on black paper, it revels in depicting her everlasting dreams of the beautiful Philippine Island flowers. Opening Reception: Thursday May 31, 2012, 6:30pm - 8:30pm at the Philippine Embassy, 1600 Massachusetts Avenue North West, Washington, DC 20036.