Tim Burton's The World of Stainboy

Thanks to Open Culture, we now have the complete animated series of Tim Burton The World of Stainboy. There are six episodes and I'm posting them all herein our blog.  Enjoy watching!

Episode 1 Stare Girl:



Episode 2 Toxic Boy:



Episode 3 Bowling Ball Head:



Episode 4 Robot Boy:



Episode 5 Matchstick Girl: 



Episode 6 The Origin of Stainboy:

The Face of Webster University

Wesley So is the current face of Webster University.

Beat that!

Drawn Game in Time Trouble

Here is a game I played early this morning. Time trouble causes a chessplayer to miss out on basic, simple checkmating maneuvers. After gaining a Bishop in the almost-endgame part of the game, I had difficulty playing out moves to trap his King.

Here it is:

[Event "Live Chess"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2013.11.14"] [Round "?"]
[White "The_Brown_ManPH"] [Black "tebogo555555"] [Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "1436"] [BlackElo "1355"] [PlyCount "111"] [EventDate "2013.??.??"]
[TimeControl "2"]

1. e4 c5 2. f4 Nc6 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bb5 Bd7 5. O-O g6 6. d3 Bg7 7. c3 Nf6 8. Be3 O-O 9. h3 a6 10. Ba4 b5 11. Bc2 e6 12. Nbd2 Re8 13. Nh2 Rc8 14. e5 dxe5 15. Bxc5 exf4 16. Rxf4 Ne5 17. d4 Nc4 18. Ne4 Nxe4 19. Rxe4 Bc6 20. Re1 Bd5 21. b3 Nd6 22. Ng4 Nf5 23. Be4 Bxe4 24. Rxe4 Qc7 25. Qf3 Rcd8 26. Rae1 Nh4 27. Qf2 Nf5 28. Rf1 a5 29. Ne3 b4 30. Nxf5 exf5 31. Rxe8+ Rxe8 32. cxb4 axb4 33. Bxb4 Bxd4 34. Qxd4 Rd8 35. Qf6 Rd3 36. Ba3 Qb6+ 37. Kh1 Rd2 38. Be7 Qb7 39. Rg1 Qa8 40. Bb4 Qxa2 41. Bxd2 Qxd2 42. Qe7 Kg7 43. Qe5+ Kh6 44. Qg3 Qg5 45. h4 Qd2 46. Qg5+ Kg7 47. Qxd2 h5 48. Kh2 f4 49. g3 g5 50. Kh3 Kh7 51. Qd4 g4+ 52. Kh2 Kh6 53. gxf4 g3+ 54. Kxg3 f5 55. Qf6+ Kh7 56. Kf3 1/2-1/2

Bishop and Knight Checkmate

Here is one more game to add to my collection of quick won games. After this blitz-1-minute-game, my opponent punished me with 12 consecutive defeats before I won again and he quit.

So here it is, a nine-move checkmate right from the opening:

What's UP Baranggay?

The 2013 Baranggay Election is happening on Monday, October 28. To serve the community, to help and aid the neighbors and the lead the pack are some of the sold-out, tested campaign shout-outs for the candidates.

But what do we really know about the Local Government Unit? Our country's agency in-charge of the administration of the leaders of each baranggay.

I found one Vimeo video, produced by the UP Open University. Let's watch:

GMA News' Katipunan: Unang Kabanata

GMA News and Public Affairs did it again!

I hope this series reaches all Philippine classrooms and aid our students in learning more about Philippine history, culture, language and values. This is Katipunan Episode # 1- Unang Kabanata: Teresa aired October 19, 2013.

Let us have more of this on Philippine TV!

Ang galing GMA News!

LSMS-Chess @ Brent 2013

The League of Southern Manila Schools-Chess Tournament is happening this Saturday, October 19, 2013. The tournament was rescheduled from the original date of October 12 due to typhoon Santi. The time control is 30/g.

Format for the tournament is kinda' odd though:

2013 LSMS CHESS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

TOURNAMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

I.              GENERAL:

1.     The Tournament is open to all chess teams representing the Member Schools of the League of Southern Manila Schools (LSMS). This event will be conducted in four (4) separate Divisions, namely; the BOYS & GIRLS GRADE SCHOOL DIVISION and the BOYS & GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION.

2.     Each participating team shall be composed of Five (5) players; whereby, Four (4) Regular Board Players and one (1) Alternate. The competition shall be played over Four (4) Boards.

3.     The playing members of each team must be listed in the order of their specific board assignments (Boards 1 to 4) which shall be strictly observed throughout the tournament.

4.     All players shall maintain their designated board assignments during the entire duration of the event. In no case shall a player play on a board lower higher than his original board assignment. Substitution of players shall be done via Slide-Rule.

5.     The color assignments (White or Black) based on the Pairing shall be referred to Board 1 & 3 players. The Board 2 & 4 teammates shall play the opposite color as assigned on the Pairing.

6.     The FIDE Laws of Active Chess, unless otherwise specified in these rules, shall govern the tournament.

II.            TOURNAMENT SCHEDULES AND VENUE:

This two (2)-day competition will be held at the Atrium Area of Brent International School-Manila, Brentville Subdivision, Brgy. Mamplasan, Biñan, Laguna, and will have the following schedules;

D A T E	T I M E	A C T I V I T Y
October  19, 2012 ( Saturday )	8:00 AM – 9:00 AM   9:00 AM – 10:00 AM  10:10 AM – 11:10 AM 11:20 AM – 12:20 PM 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM 2:10 PM – 3:10 PM	Submission of Team Line-up and Coaches’ Meeting R O U N D  1 (Elimination Phase) R O U N D  2 (Elimination Phase) R O U N D  3 (Elimination Phase) R O U N D  4 (Elimination Phase) R O U N D  5 (Elimination Phase)
October 26, 2012 ( Saturday )	8:30 AM – 9:30 AM    9:40 AM – 10:40 AM 10:50 AM – 11:50 AM 12:30 PM	R O U N D  1 (Championship Phase) R O U N D  2 (Championship Phase) R O U N D  3 (Championship Phase) Awarding Ceremony

                

NOTE:      The Starting Time for each Game may vary or be adjusted as the need arises.

III.           TOURNAMENT SYSTEM & FORMAT:

1.     Each Division will be conducted in a FIVE (5) ROUND SWISS SYSTEM ELIMINATION PHASE. The Seed Number of each Team will be determined thru the Drawing-of-Lots which will be conducted during the Coaches’ Meeting. After the Elimination Phase, the TOP FOUR (4) TEAMS in each Division shall then advance to the CHAMPIONSHIP PHASE. In the Championship Phase, the four (4) chess teams shall compete in a SINGLE ROUND-ROBIN FORMAT. Their seeding of these four teams will be based on their Final Ranking in the Elimination Phase. The team with the highest total Game Points after the Single Round-Robin will be declared the Champion Team.

2.     The Scoring System shall be Game Points. The Defaulting Time will be set 15 minutes after the start of every Game.

3.     The Rate of Play for each player to make all his/her moves necessary to finish the game shall be THIRTY (30) MINUTES. The use of chess clocks shall be mandatory.

4.     Recording of moves is OPTIONAL. However, each team, through their Coach and/or Team Captain, must fill-up and submit the Team Result Form to the Chief Arbiter for proper recording of every Match Result.

IV.           TIE-BREAK SYSTEM:

1.     For the Final Ranking in the Elimination Phase and the Final Standings in the Championship Phase, ties shall be broken as follows;

1.1       Total Match Points,

1.2       Direct Encounter (result of the match/es between/among the tied teams (winner-over-the-other). If the match is drawn (1-1 tie), then the result of the game on Board 1 shall decide the tie. If the result on Board 1 is a draw, then the result of the game on Board 2 shall decide the tie. . If the result on Board 3 is a draw, then the result of the game on Board 4 shall decide the tie.

1.3       Sonnenborn-Berger (SB) System.

1.4       More No. of wins based on Match points

2.     For the Final Individual Board Results (players tied only on percentages), based on the Elimination Phase;

2.1       by winner-over-the-other,

2.2       by the most number of games played,

2.3       by the most number of won games,

2.4       by the most number of black pieces handled

I wonder how can there be ONLY four teams in the championship round if there will be 2 sets of Top 4 teams after the elimination phase---remember the two divisions? Gotta ask my Athletics Director about this.

In the meantime, the position below came up in our chess training the other in our Sports Program After School:

PhoneVideo Capture from Shell Grand Finals 2013

Here is one Endgame I captured from the event I covered. Sorry about the viewpoint!

Live Coverage: Day 2 of 2013 Grand Finals Shell NYACC

Day 2 of our live blog coverage is made possible through the assistance of the following people and organization:

• Mr. Robert "Bobby" Ang, RP's Premier Chess Journalist
• Sheila Mariano and the Filipino Migrant News-NZ
• Dra. Daigdig "Dig" Paras, OBGYN
• Mr. Carlos Ansus, IT and Software Solution Specialist 
• Mrs. Rose Christensen and Family
• Ferdinand A. Buenaventura

Live Coverage: 2013 Grand Finals Shell SNYACC

This live blog coverage is made possible through the assistance of the following: 

• Mr. Robert "Bobby" Ang, RP's Premier Chess Journalist
• Sheila Mariano and The Filipino Migrant News-NZ
• Dra. Daigdig "Dig" Paras, OBGYN
• Mr. Carlos Ansus, IT and Software Solution Specialist 
• Mrs. Rose Christensen and Family

 

Countdown to the 2013 Grand Finals of Shell NYACC

We are covering it live!!!

Ely Buendia Sings for PETA

"Ely Buendia sings for PETA", a one night only fundraising concert for PETA's Endowment Fund.

Watch this music icon upclose & personal as he performs his greatest hits inside The PETA Theater Center's intimate 400-seater blackbox theater this Sept 20, 8:00P.M.

RESERVE NOW! Tickets are P1000 (balcony side), P2000 (orchestra side, balcony center), P2500 (orch center), P5000 (VIP). Contact 725-6244 or 0917-518 3654 to reserve.

UP College of Music: Freshman Show 2013

Everyone is invited to the Freshman show on Wednesday @ 4 PM, September 4, 2013 at the Abelardo Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

The UP College of Music Freshman show is directed by Viel Eugenio. ANother product of homeschooling program.

Admission is free!

Teaser:

:

Teen Talk: Chastity

With all the scandals that have plagued our society, thanks to the beyond-the-border reach of Internet, this email announcement/invitation reminded me that there indeed is hope for a brighter and better future for all of us:

Speakers for this event are Internationally recognized Chastity Education spokespersons: JASON & CRYSTALINA EVERT.  The event will be on September 5, Thursday, from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, at the Li Seng Giap Auditorium, 3rd Floor ACB Building, University of Asia & the Pacific, Pearl Drive, ortigas Center, Pasig City.  Ticket Price is at Php 500.00

The talk will have as its market high school teachers, Guidance Counselors, Church and Religious groups and organizations,  and other groups or associations that handle the formation of teens.

For more details, visit the Official Website at Cor Magistrorum.

 

Trese Series: Twist and Shout

Yes I read the 5 books in the Trese series created by Budjette Tan and illustrated by Kajo Baldisimo about two months ago. I was introduced into the series by one of my students last year when we were discussing Pinoy Pop Culture, particularly Filipino Komiks.

When she brought the 5 books and showed them to me, I simply nodded to show her that I do approve her reading the series but I never read it nor even touched any of it. I thought this was another thrashy-time-wasting-publication that National Bookstore was propagating by having so many stocks on display all over the Philippines.

Then I chanced upon one of our school librarian and IT guy discussing about Alexandra Trese and how almost everything in the stories are very Filipino. Something ticked and I said I should start reading Trese.

Then one Friday afternoon, the universe opened and before I knew it, I was reading Book 1 and could not even put it down. Thanks to Mr. F for lending me his 5-volume collection of the series, I managed to read it everything in one weekend.

And my daughter did the same thing, she read after me and beside me on the sofa. She would ask me which book I' have read so that she can read too. And we were in awe! Filipino mythology in twisted form that will leave the readers screaming, shouting for more.

Where's Trese Six?

Thanks Budjette and Kajo!

And today I chanced upon Rappler's interview of the creators of Alexandra Trese, Budjette and Kajo:

   

Little League Dodgeball September 2013

The Little League Dodgeball Games main man, Teacher Ron, sent us an email with invitation for everyone:

Greetings!

I would like to invite your students/children to join our Little League Dodgeball Games on September 14, 2013 (Saturday) to be held at the Meralco Sports Center Covered Tennis Courts from 9:00am to 12:00nn.  No previous experience necessary and we will conduct a short clinic at the onset of the activity to teach the basic rules and how to play the game.

Dodgeball is a fun sport for children. It uses a ball specifically designed for the sport made of a rubber sac covered with soft foam and cloth to significantly decrease the impact of the ball upon hitting an individual. This makes it relatively safe for children, boys or girls.

Dodgeball is played with teams composed of 6-8 members; all male, all female or mixed gender.  You may form more than one team.  However, in case you can’t meet the minimum of 6 players, you may opt to form a team with the other participants in the venue who also don’t have a team yet.

The participation fee is only Php 100.00 for each team member.  However, for a group of 5 members, you may pay a discounted fee of Php 300.00.  Furthermore, a team of 8 members will pay only Php 500.00. Our future direction is to establish a little league which would meet on a regular schedule to be set by the interested participants. 

Should you find this activity interesting for your students/children, kindly send me an email @ ronald.devilla@gmail.comor you may also call our office at 972.5974 on or before Friday, September 6, 2013.  

Attached is the poster of the activity. We hope to see you there!

Thank you very much!

Sincerely,

Teacher RonThe Builders’ School972.5974

 Register now!

Million People March Against Pork Barrel

Ten years ago, former Senator Ping Lacson wanted the Pork Barrel Fund scrapped and when he took the podium and gave the privilege speech, he was torn to pieces with all the attacks coming from all directions aimed at character assassination.

Two decades ago, during my college days, Datu's Tribe screamed on top of their lungs:

 

And Lourd de Veyra's Radio Active Sago Project came up with this:

 

2013 Philippine National Juniors Chess Championships

Congratulations to NM Jerad Docena and WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda for winning this year's edition of Philippine National Juniors Championship for boys and girls divisions respectively.

NM Docena bested twelve other players with a score of 6.5 points in 9 rounds while WNM Fronda scored 6 points in a field of 11 players in 7 rounds.

Check out 2013 National Juniors Championship Boys Division and Girls Division for an overview of all the players results.

And if you would want your kids to learn chess and play like these age groupers who seem to play like the pros but don't know where to start, you can direct them to http://chesscademy.com/login. Learning chess via online videos, nothing new, nothing spectacular but very effective --and its Free.

Watch Online: The Conjuring 2013

Scare yourself and watch this year's best horror film, The Conjuring.

I couldn't help but post this link here ==> Watch Online: The Conjuring 2013.

Here is one of the reviews I read:

"Overall, watching the film will really immerse you into the intense malevolence that terrorized the Perron family. Many creepy images you see will stick with you for a long time. All the hype was accurate this time. This IS one of the best horror films in recent years. 8/10"-  Fred Said

RIP Rudolfo Tan-Cardoso

Asia's first-ever International Chess Master Rudolfu Tan-Cardoso died of a heart attack at the age of 75 last August 21, 2013 at 3:10 P.M.. 

A chess player, enemy over the board, teacher and father/lolo figure in the Philippine chess community, he is best known for beating Robert "Bobby" Fischer in this game in 1957.  The year before this, he won the Philippine National Junior Championship.

He played for the flag in four Chess Olympiads with the following board assignments and results:

• 1956, Board 4 in the 12th Chess Olympiad in Moscow (11 wins, 4 draws, 2 defeats)
• 1958, Board 1 in the 13th Chess Olympiad in Munich (10 wins, 5 draws, 4 defeats)
• 1972, Board 2 in the 20th Chess Olympiad in Skopje (10 wins, 3 draws, 4 defeats)
• 1974, Board 2 in the 21st Chess Olympiad in Nice (9 wins, 4 draws, 6 defeats)  

He won the silver medal at the 1956 Olympiad with a winning percentage of .765.

I met Mang Rudy a couple of times in tournaments and chess workshops while I "chaperoning" for my brother-in-law in these events while he would simply look around and check out talents. 

Thanks for all the contribution you have given to Philippine chess. They will not be forgotten. You students will always remember you.

Farewell IM Rudolfo Tan-Cardoso! 

 

Mother Mary: The Queen of Heaven

Today we celebrate the Queenship of Mother Mary:

"The purpose of the Feast is that all may recognize more clearly and venerate more devoutly the merciful and motherly sovereignty of her who bore God in her womb" (Ven. Pius XII, Ad. Coeli Reginam). 

On the day of her Assumption, Mary our Mother was solemnly crowned by Christ and received by the whole court of Heaven as Queen.  

What Christ has done in Heaven and the Church has done on our behalf we should now do individually, that is, we should recognize Mary's Queenship, enthrone her in our homes, consecrate ourselves to her and, by this means, establish in our lives the reign of Mary Immaculate Queen of the Universe."

Click instructions on How to Enthrone Mother Mary in your Home and Consecrate your Family to Her.    

   

Quo Vadis Pugad Baboy?

After a week of waiting and no news as where Pol Medina Jr. will bring his "baboys" in the Pugad that he created and nourished for a good 25 years, I ask the question now, Quo vadis Pugad Baboy?

The events leading to PM's resignation has been publicized and almost everyone on the Internet has something to say about it, I thought I should refrain from riding the wave of hits for my blog traffic. But here I am, writing about Pugad at almost 12 midnight.

I should.

I should because Philippine Komiks is back and in the mainstream with all the publication coming out every month and the recent turn out of Summer Komikon, Pinoy Komiks is back and I really hope its for good.

PM never wavered in following his passion and perfecting his craft. Pugad Baboy has become part of Pinoy consciousness. During the lean years, PM stayed and worked on his Pugad. He has inspired thousands of Filipino artists and one of them is Arnold Arre,

Arre created the video Pugad Baboy Shuffle as a simple thank you to PM. Let's watch it now:





Pol Medina Jr.'s comic strip that caused a sensation and which led him to resign over at Philippine Daily Inquirer:

And the now-collectible resignation letter from Pol to his boss, Ms. Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc:

I envy the guy holding this copy, seriously!

Win with a Crazy Opening

Here is an easy win for me using a crazy opening, 6-Pawn plank:

 

National Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary 2013

The consecration of the Philippines to the Immaculate Heart of Mary happens today at ten in the morning. We can join the activities or pray the Holy Rosary with your family at home. Here is the official letter from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila:

Circular No. 2013-16
May 10, 2013

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, RECTORS, CHAPLAINS, SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS OF PARISHES, SHRINES, CHAPLAINCIES AND COMMUNITIES, RELIGIOUS AND LAY FAITHFUL

RE: NATIONAL CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY ON JUNE 8, 2013
 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines declared in its 106th Plenary Assembly on January 28, 2013, “the holding of a simultaneous National Consecration to the Immaculate  Heart of Mary on June 8, 2013, feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, at 10 in the morning in all cathedrals, parish churches, shrines and chapels in all the archdioceses, dioceses, prelatures and apostolic vicariates of the country.

This solemn act entrustment and consecration is part of our Year of Faith observance and also part of the nine-year preparation for the 2021 celebration of the arrival of the Christian faith in the Philippines.

This act of renewal, accompanies necessarily by our renewal of consecration to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, relies on the immense grace from God that passes through the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary for us, her children whom she loves.  “Pueblo Amante de Maria”: Isang Bayang Sumisinta kay Maria. The national consecration desires that under the banner of Mary all Filipinos will be one and in peace in faith and love.

The Archdiocese of Manila will be in solidarity with the entire Church in the Philippines on June 8, 2013.  We are sending all parishes and shrines, chaplaincies and communities the primer, novena and liturgy (in English and Tagalog) for the event.  We ask that the event and its activities be announced in all masses starting May 15, 2013.  The novena (May 30 to June 7) is to be done before the morning and evening masses.

On June 8, there can be a procession followed by the praying of the Rosary before the Mass at 10 a.m. where the consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary will be done.  And at 12 noon let us all ring the bells in our churches and chapels for the resounding call for the Angelus, the prayer of Mary.

The electronic file of the poster showing the image of the “Madonna and her motherly mantle” (the Schutzmantel Madonna) as ‘inculturated” by priest artist Fr. Armand Tangi, SSP, is available at our website, www.rcam.org and can be downloaded for printing of tarpaulins and other promotional purposes.  The novena and liturgy are also posted on the website.
I also invite parishes and communities to send delegates to san Fernando de Dilao Parish, Paco, Manila where, together with delegates from suffragan dioceses, a common celebration of the Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Province of Manila will be held.  I will preside at the Eucharistic Celebration at 10:00 in the morning.

Let June 8, 2013 be our very special day with our Blessed Mother, our very own Mother’s day, when we all come together under her mantle of care and protection, of comfort and consolation, of love and peace, and be renewed in faith in Jesus Christ, sent to us by the father through the Holy Spirit.  We will do this confident that we are Pueblo Amante de Maria, Isang Bayang Sumisinta kay Maria.

I ask all to gather in your parishes, shrines, and chaplaincies and really pour our heart and soul in this act of consecration, to reinvigorate the world in the love of God.
 (signed)

LUIS ANTONIO G. CARDINAL TAGLE
Archbishop of Manila

Visit the National Celebration for the Consecration of the Philippines to the Immaculate Heart of Mary  page for further details.

Tricky Diagonals FTW!

Here is the only game I won in five games against my opponent. The use of diagonals with my bishops and queen were very helpful for me to get the win. Here is the game:

Philippine Registry for Occupational Therapy Centers

The national association for occupational therapists in the Philippines, also known as Occupational Therapy Association of the Philippines Inc. (OTAP), will be launching a database of all centers, clinics and hospitals offering occupational therapy services all over the Philippines. The said database or registry will be launched by July of 2013 and will be updated on a quarterly basis.

You will have to do:

1. Accomplish the registration form
2. There should at least have two (2) active OTAP Members ( in GOOD STANDING, I added this one) practicing in the clinic
3. Pay the annual registration fee of PhP 500.00 thru Metrobank Robinson's Galleria Branch: Account Name: OTAP, Inc and Account Number: 6297629002479
4. Send the following to otap_inc@yahoo.com with subject heading: OTAP Clinic Ad (Name of Clinic):

• Accomplished form
• Scanned copy of the deposit slip with the clinic's name written on it
• Logo of clinic or institution

For further inquiries, you may send an E-mail to Ms. Joan Dominique O. Go, OTRP @ joan_go07@yahoo.com.

FIDE Trainers Seminar - RP 2013

We now have the result of the recently-concluded FIDE Trainers Seminar in Manila, Philippines. Midas Hotel was the host for the Asian Continental Championships and the seminar. THe lecturers were GM and FST  Efstratios Grivas (Greece - Secretary of the FIDE Trainers’ Commission), assisted by the first ever Asian GM (& FST) Eugene Torre and GM & FT Jayson Gonzales (both Philippines).

At least our Filipino chess teachers have "teaching certification" to show their paying clients and I do hope they know the basic tenets of teaching and learning process. As we all know, chess coaching or training is more than being a strong chess player. Chess teaching is basically teaching, bringing in the fun and excitement.

Some easily recognized names in the field of Philippine chess coaching and teaching are in the list: Erwin Carag, Rudy Ibanez and Joel Hicap.

So may I present to you the graduates of the FTS-Manila 2013:

FTS Table by buenaventura_f_a

Champion with a Perfect Score @ ChessCube

Whenever I use my wife's FB account for my chess activities over at ChessCube, I always score a high percentage. And tonight I did something I've never done before and that is winning a tournament with a perfect score.

Here are the screenshots:

Time control is 2 minutes and we had 31 players for the tourney. At the start of the tournament, I asked my son, M, to sit beside me because he was my lucky charm. I wasn't expecting this result.

Lucky, lucky lucky!

Education According to Madelo and Pangilinan

Here is something I thought every Filipino should see:  Education by Numbers, an infographic created by Diane Marie Madelo with research by Rei Pangilinan for ABS-CBNNews.com: INFOGRAPHIC: Education by the Numbers | ABS-CBN News.

Looking Back at 2012-2013

Today, June 1, 2013, is the very first day of my summer break from work. After the commencement exercises last night, I had a long impromptu chat with my friend Ricky at the parking lot. The usual review of the year and plans for next year.

Let me take this chance to look back at the year that was.

It was a good year and we had so much to thank for. Hearing the speakers for the night, the two student awardees and the special guest,  made me feel like I am home. It was interesting to listen to the thoughts and hopes of the leaders of the batch. They spoke of how the school nourished their lives, how the school has become their home in the last nine or ten years. They saw the school as a place where thy can be who they want to be and they did. They are the product of what the school is.

About my former colleague, I have all my prayers for her. She was the "Mother" I had when I was a newbie in my school. I had this great opportunity to work with her when she was working as the homeroom teacher for the fourth graders. Tears did fall from my eyes but I had to hold back. I didn't want to make a scene nor be noticed that I was crying. I thought I would see her after the ceremony but she left as soon as she was done with her speech.

I wanted to tell you this but I never had the chance:

Dear Mrs. Z, 

Thank you for the kindness and guidance you have shown me when you were with us. The time I had with you was short, maybe less than a year but those precious times I worked with you were remarkable. You were a mother to me without trying to. You gave me reminders about being a father and about being a teacher in Beacon. You shared stories and TOBLERON whenever you had a chance. You would always tell me that I was in a good place, I was in Beacon. I know now what you meant when you said that I was in a good place, I was in Beacon. Beacon is not just a school or a place for me to teach and work. Beacon is a family. 

Thank you so much. May the Lord our God guide you thru and give you more years to shower your loved ones with the same guidance and you have given me.

And the gifts.
   
Of all the gifts I received from my students last night, there was one I received where I felt my hair on my neck stood and my heart beat faster. The gift was a letter from my student, SB. The student wrote simple but meaningful letter in Filipino. It was a letter of thanks and a letter of looking back. It was heartfelt and it was the first thing I showed my wife and kids when I reached home. So to SB, thank you very much!

For my chess this year, we claimed the MISAA Chess Championship for the first time. I am now reaping the fruits of  more than two years of ground work with the students. As always, students will come and go but those who remain are the ones who truly loves the game of chess. The way I see it, our club will have a solid line up in the next two years. With the material that I have now, both PYP and MYP will play at a much higher lever this coming school year. Will we find a way to play for the DEPED Taguig Sports Meet? I don;t know.

For my Language B class, I have learned more about my subject this year. I have become more relaxed in teaching the units and has befriended the Language B guide more. I got into Pinoy Graphic Novels because of my Pop Culture unit. And now, my own kids are teasing me that my new chess is graphic novels or komiks.

For learning support, I have had the great opportunity to be part of SENIA-Manila. My coordinator, Ms. Y, asked us to present in the SENIA-Manila's Gathering of Professionals and it was great. Thanks!

But I still need to learn something more. It is in "doing" that we learn something more. I have to be more meticulous in my documentation. I have to, I need to.

It was a great year. Another year done, another year of fun.

Thanks much, thanks much!

 

The Philippne Standard Time Law 2013

PNoy signed the Philippine Standard Time Law recently, also known as Republic Act 10535. Its no joke and if any of the TV and Radio Stations violates this law by publishing or broadcasting the wrong time, they may be fined by 30,000 to 50,000 pesos.

All government agencies are mandated to synchronize and display the official  PST in their offices and bundy clocks.

You may read the PDF copy of the PST Law Philippine Standard Time Law 2013 by buenaventura_f_a
 or watch the video below:

 

Mid-term Elections 2013

Die Nasty!!! Die Nasty! Die, die, die!!! End the establishment and reign of political dynasties! Die Nasty! Die, die, die!!

Election time is here and now is the time to do something for the country, for the future of the country and that means your children and the children of your children. Election time is a great opportunity for us to participate in the democratic process which is our very right in the first place.

I wish for the following to happen:

1. All the political clans in the Philippines to stop from establishing a dynasty which ruins the democracy, real democracy, our country is trying to achieve. Die nasty!, die nasty!

2. Stop the personality-based voting. Just because he or she looks nice on TV, has a very accommodating persona or they come from a political family that is familiar to you.  Stop it please!

3. Equal rights to every Filipino. Stop the discrimination! Easy to say but truly difficult to achieve. But we can try and inch by inch, we might move forward.

4. Basic services be provided with ease of access among the Filipinos namely: Health, Education, Employment and Livelihood, Housing and Security.

Just these four and our country will be fine, just these four!

And here are some takes by KomikeroDOtCom guy, Gerry Alanguilan, about the Philippine Elections:

Chess with Jughead

Chess was featured in the Best of Jughead, Crowning Achievements by Tom Root, Craig Boldman and Rex Lindsey.

In the story The Right Moves, Jughead was playing chess with Archie in the opening frame:

Archie: "I didn't know you were a chess player!"

Jughead: "The grand game of strategy and skirmish? Sure!"

Go out and buy this one, for the comic book freak and lover of chess.

Free Comic Book Day 2013

If you have time, you can still make it to the Free Comic Book Day at Fully Booked and Comic Odyssey:

2013 Summer Chess Camp @ Beacon School

The word is out, together with FIDE Instructor Norlito Bersamina, I'll be running the first Summer Chess Camp @ Beacon School this month of June. Yes you read it right, its summer time for us come June and everyone is invited to join in the fun.

The Camp is open to all interested, Beacon or non-Beacon students, fourteen year old and below.

Scholastic Chess 2013

RP's Labor Day 2013

In support of all the workers all over the world, I am sharing some links about May 1, also known as International Labor Day! Here in the Philippines, we observe this day as a national holiday.

• International Worker's Day
• Labor Codes of the Philippines
• The Philippine Labor and Employment Plan

Wikipedia has an entry for May 1 celebration in the Philippines: 

"May 1 is known as Labor Day and is considered a public holiday. Labor unions and organizations hold mass protests in major cities, while schoolchildren have no classes as it is part of the local summer holiday. 

On May 1, 1903, the Union Obrera Democratica Filipina (Filipino Democratic Labor Union) held a massive rally in front of the Malacañan Palace demanding workers' economic rights, and the granting Philippine independence. Ten years later, the first official celebration was celebrated on May 1, 1913 when 36 labor unions convened in Manila.^[33]

During the Presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the holiday economics policy was followed, where holidays were moved to weekends to give workers a longer vacation. This was applied on Labor Day in 2002, which caused the holiday to be held on April 29; this was protested by labor groups, as they accused the Arroyo administration of belittling the holiday.^[34] By 2008, Labor Day was excluded in the holiday economics policy, returning the commemorations every May 1, no matter what day of the week it falls under."

Bank Fraud in the Philippines

Think about it, an established commercial bank falling prey to fraud. Read the news story below, thanks to the Journal Online for the scoop.

A 60-YEAR-OLD widow who withdrew $9,000 from the dollar account of a media practitioner inside a Makati bank was arrested and is being held at the National Capital Region Police Office headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
Elaine Ramos Mable, of 84-A Saturday St., Poblacion, Mandaluyong City, was turned over to the NCRPO Police Intelligence and Operations Unit by officials of the Eastwest Bank Legaspi-De la Rosa branch in Makati Friday afternoon, said NCRPO chief Director Leonardo A. Espina.

Espina said their initial investigation showed that with the help of unidentified cohorts who remained at large and using fraudulent identification cards and other bank papers, Mable withdrew $9,000 from the Bank of Guam dollar account of one Peter Paul Sales, 38, media practitioner, of Merville Park, Parañaque City.

The NCRPO chief said that the fraud was detected at 4:30 p.m. Friday by bank officials led by Joel Bambao, prompting them to hold the widow for investigation. The suspects reportedly managed to get hold of Sales’ personal check worth US$22,661.70 and withdrew $9,000 (roughly Php360,000) from it.

Espina said the Makati bank referred the case to the NCRPO-RPIOU headed by Supt. Ronald Lee which is now investigating the case. 

The widow was brought to the Makati city Prosecutor’s Office for filing of criminal charges.

She is now being held at the RPIOU headquarters pending resolution of the criminal complaint against her. 

Espina said the other suspects are still being hunted by Lee’s men.  

Free Download: Wasted by Gerry A

I found Gerry Alanguilan's Wasted and I'm sharing it thru my Scribd.

I've been looking for Filipino Komiks the last two weeks for my Pinoy Pop Culture Unit and almost all printed graphic novels in the bookstores are in English. It says much about the state of Filipino Language, our mother tongue.

Wasted by Gerry Alanguilan

A Win Against 8-Year Old Josh

I lost a 10-minute-game against Josh this morning but was aching to get one over him and I did this afternoon. Thanks to Chessmaster XI Grandmaster Edition.

Let us watch the game below:

A Chess Game Against an Eight-Year Old Josh

Here is a game I played and unfortunately lost against Chessmaster XI Grandmaster Edition Software's Joshua Waitzkin. The game setting was 10/g with Josh at the age of 8 and a rating of 1600.

Post-mortem analysis showed an advantageous position for my white pieces but was slowly and methodically eaten away by Josh. I guess I was too relaxed at the fact that he was down on time, position and material that I neglected the "basics" of playing the game.

In the end I lost on time in a losing position.

Bad!

Here is the game:

 

Easter Break 2013

Tonight is the beginning of my six-day break from school. Most of my colleagues and students are all out flying towards their vacation or are already there. Its nice to know that everyone is taking this break and that they are spending their time with their families and loved ones.

That's good and that's really good!

You guys might find this one helpful when the sun sets and everyone gathers to chill down:

Summer Enrichment Program: Ultimate Frisbee

Here's another post for a summer enrichment clinic for your kids, Ultimate Clinic with Coach Peng:

RP's State of the Nation 2013

Here comes the rain again. When all we get from the news is about ruined relationships by personalities in Philippine Society. Aren't you tired of seeing them throw tantrums on national television?

Why do your laundry in public? And it doesn't help when everyone is jumping in to such "issues" and giving their own opinions.

C'mon guys! You are smarter than all of these.

We have, for the Nth time, Kris Aquino hugging the primetime last night and announcing her resignation to all her shows. My daughter told me this last night and all I said was "Anak, let Kris do her thing and get all the attention she wants. Let her be."

And we have the Chiz Escudero/Heart Evangelista-Ongpauco Saga. I hope this one is settled soon.

We've had enough. We don't need this. We dont!

There are so many problems we have to face these days and you guys aren't helping.

Check out NASA's Current Impact Risk Assessment.

NASA asks the world to pray, nothing more, nothing less.

In the end, these agnostics, skeptics and atheists go back to the essential: praying and believing in God.