Young Grandmaster

Just yesterday, a breaking tweet from my twitter homepage prompted me to research on this guy named Wesley So. Yes, I know we've heard of him before. Or for some, not. At age 14 he garnered the "Grandmaster" title making him the 8th youngest person to achieve such. 

Wesley So

So started playing at age 6, coached by his own father. At 9 he was already competing for junior active chess tournaments. In 2006, he become the youngest member of the national men's team to participate at the 37th Chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy. He has won a lot of world titles and competitions including the on-going Corus Chessfest. So has won 3 straight wins in a row. He is still to compete for a last round against a player from Poland on the 30th of January. Let's hope for this Filipino pride!

KAOS

Ever dreamed of traveling to Las Vegas to witness world-class acts? How about flying to Vietnam for Miss Saigon? Well, the Philippines has both combined in one great show.

Kaos, is a production by the Resorts World Manila in its new performing arts theater. Named after the great white lion the the production, Kaos features our very own talents from the Philippines. The story goes: “In a medieval kingdom, a lonely prince (Gian Magdangal) peers into a magical mirror and falls in love with a beautiful maiden (Martha Joy) from the future. As the past and the future converge, the two discover a love that transcends time, prevailing over a scheming adviser (Joel Trinidad) and numerous obstacles.” Aside from the theatrical twists and plots, Kaos also offers stunts like a motorcycle running in a globe-like structure, a belarus and a whole lot more. The effects are also world-class. Highlighted in their technicalities is their LED background which can portray what can not be done physically. Musical scores are done my the renowned Manila Symphonic Orchestra. They are still running its performances until May of this year.

I think we are about to reach that point that theater in the Philippines will not be taken for granted. We have something to show off now - This and Hinilawod. The arts can do so much, don't waste time badmouthing about it. Support our own, support Kaos (Even if we can't fly to the North by now).

The next mountain to climb

I have never climbed a mountain in my entire life but I'm planning on doing so. Maybe if I'm brave enough to face my fear of heights. If in my previous post my definition on mountain was trials and consequences, this time I'm going to be talking about the real thing.

Mount Pulag is the third tallest mountain in the Philippines and located in Kabayan, Benguet. Being what it is, the mountain's temperature is relatively cold compared to Mount Apo or other tall mountains. Apart from it's height, it also houses 528 documented plant species, some of them only found in the Philippines. The indigenous tribes located near this mountain regard it as "sacred". Check out: http://hinilawod.blogspot.com

 This month may be the coldest if you are planning to climb this mountain. Are you up for the challenge?

 Or just simply want to look at it's picturesque scene? You decide.

Another World Class Pinoy

Body-building may be a sport we may not know of and to my surprise, a Filipina made a name to the global arena. You thought pinoys were weak? Let me tell you this... Her name is Luzviminda McClinton. She has been doing figure competitions for six years and can lift 100 kilos in benchpress and 30 kilos in exercise. She's termed as an "Ironpinay" and has won various awards in and out of the country. Last November, she bagged a gold medal in the FAME World Championships and a silver in the sexy muscles division. Overall, she had won in around 20 competitions during her 5 years in the sport.

Another world class pinoy that we can be proud of. Aren't you proud you are a pinoy yourself?

Ilog Abatan

As I was growing up as a child, I never had my interest in rivers. Simply because humanity has placed it as dirty and unsanitary although I used to hear stories of the elders talking about how they used to swim in it. Thinking about it grossed me out. However, such rivers or shall I say river, still exist up to this time. This is the Abatan River of Bohol. The Department of Tourism launched the Abatan River Community Life Tour around early 2010. A group of my colleagues joined this tour and told me a couple of testimonies about it. For now, I'm stuck in awe with the pictures they took.

Notice the waterfalls, eh?

Paradise!

If you want to experience the tour yourself, log on to www.processbohol.org. If you want to tour around the Visayas sometime in the middle of this year, check out www.hinilawod.com for their tour offerings.

Pinoy Azkals

So much for the football fever, we heard our own Philippine team lost its way to the finals versus Indonesia. The team call themselves "Azkals" for some reason I have no idea of. But nonetheless, they say it's a first for the Philippines to have a football team make it to the international arena with something as high as the semi-finals. I guess it's something to be proud of. There's nothing to be disappointed about the team despite their defeat. Aside from their skills, they have been doing something from their hearts.


The Azkals just recently conducted a football clinic for children who wanted to learn how to love football. It is seen how these young men aim to promote football in every way they could. In every media exposure, they always stress on the issue of football's fame in the country. I believe they aren't that far from what they want to achieve. More and more individuals are slowing inclining to football. Although, I was never one myself. This might be a good start for us to join the world cup. I bet that a decade from now, we'll be yelling "Go Philippines!Kahit na waka waka tayo!" (Go Philippines!Even if we have none!) Of course, pun intended. ^_^

Have a great day ahead and Happy New Year!

Next Door

Advance Happy New Year dear reader!:)

How did the holidays go for you? I bet you had a lot of booze, food and holiday cheers. I had a fair share of that as well. In fact, I had a really good time with my family that a friendly neighbor who came calling out my name wasn't heard. When I finally did, I opened the door to see what she wanted and she didn't want anything - she was there to give out. Held in her hands was a dish made from her own kitchen. I gladly took it, thanking her with respect. Rushing inside the house, I began to rummage through my our dining hall for something to give to her in return. I managed to give her a serving of my Dad's best dish which she received with joy.

I started to ponder on what just happened and realized that it wasn't just an act of an ordinary neighbor. In truth, it was how the Filipinos went about. We give what we have to our neighbors or to our friends as a sign of hospitality. We offer our services even if we are busy. I realized that we aren't that bad as a people at all. Like what they say, it's better to give than to receive. Knock on your neighbors' doorstep, they'd be happy to have you in. :)