CBS Training/Malabon Chess Open

I, together with other BOO's of SOL (Mam Irma, Dick, Tony, Col and JR), were tasked to attend a CBS Seminar held last August 29 to 30, 2009 at UCPB Head Office. It was a very fruitful seminar. Little did we know that we will be the Trainors in the coming CBS conversion to be held very soon. It was a challenge that we readily accept - as if we do have a choice. Immagine we will be instrumental in the conversion (finally!) of UCPB's computer system from old to truly new. The ambiance there was very good as we saw the efforts of everybody particularly Sirs Jojo and Jerome, Coco and Nanette and the members of the CBS team. Hope I can finish all my backlogs so I can concentrate on the job.

On the 29th we were treated by Sir Jojo at Lutong Macau Restaurant in Jupiter with a very wonderful meal.

On our last day, we tested the hands-on were we discovered that there was no option for DABHP in withdrawal of Dollar. We pointed it immediately to Sir Jerome who answered that they already elevated the concern with Silverlake. Just became curios when we looked at the back where we saw young guys ala F4 etc. who happended to be Malaysians and the programmers. I thought Filipinos are good in programming, how come our CBS and AMLA were done by foreign germs. Anyways ...

There were many lessons learned as pointed out by Sir Jojo. Our marketing people gone a long way to give in to the request of clients only to stop in the end like the MC Writer. Marketing officers from Makati were deliberating on how they will treat their big clients who wanted to split their deposits to 5 ?!?. And questions regarding non clients who would like to purchase MC or apply for FEDS - wether they will fill up CAIS to be given CIF Number.

At the end of the seminar we were allowed to view an insect which have been in the cocoon for 7 years and became a beautiful butterfly in a few days. Just like UCPB which for many decades remained under an inferior system of IBM and Infinix but in a few days we will be flying like a butterfly with Silverlake.

Who can forget a guy who does not have arms and feet but proudly say - he can play drums, golf and other instruments and mind you can surf in the sea?. He also told his audience that he is happy!

It created an impact to me and I almost cried. I realized how lucky I am. All I have to do is to be focus in my job.

Our seminar finished early so I visited my twin brother in Malabon. He treated me to a 7 round Swiss Chess tournament where I scored 4/7 with 3 wins 2 draws and 2 losses. I was able to maximize my time. I was and still am happy!

AYESSA ARABELLE A. ASI

July 9, 2009 should have been one of the happiest moments in my life. My wonderful wife Amor was scheduled to give birth to our baby girl we named Ayessa Arabelle A. Asi at 7:30AM. It turned our to be a nightmare as our future Ms. Universe was diagnosed to have pulmonary infection right after her birth. We never imagined that it will happen to us. Sweetie was strong as ever and the baby was reacting positively day by day before that.

Since there were no manifestations that the baby was ill, and the Ultrasound findings were positive, we did not bother to have Sweetie's urine examined as what we did in her previous deliveries. It proved to be our undoing as our baby bacame angel just 2 days after her birth.

We fought for her life in all means immaginable. She fought gallantly on the first day but on the second, her tender body can't react to medications possitively anymore. We let God do the rest!

When our angel was put to rest on July 10, 2009, I asked: "God, why did you make our baby an angel that fast? We can take care of her, we prepared almost everything. We terminated our Prudential Pension, we loan at Philam to name a few. I can't understand."

I know God has many plans for us. He knows we can bear what happened. He did it for a reason.

Lord, maybe until now I can't understand what and why it happened but let your will be done.

Pinamalayan Open Champion

After Tarlac, life must go on...
In short notice, we (Mel, Jojo, Arnel, Judge and I) joined the Pinamalayan Chess Open last April 19, 2009.
The team agreed to share the winnings equally among ourselves if there is any.
Mel, Jojo & I fought galantly while Judge and Arnel suffered temporary setbacks. On the 3rd round however, I became careless and lost to Glenn of Socorro. I annihilated my succeeding opponents to end up 4 points out of 5 games. Enough for joint first place with Mel, Jojo, Glenn and to our suprise my victim in the first round (who was not in the top boards despite wins).
The pairing was not well done resulting to questionable results.
When tie was broken, I emerged champion. Mel was third while Jojo was 5th place . Thanks to the score of my opponents which was considered in the tie break.
Special thanks to Nelson of Pinamalayan Chess Club. I am looking forward on depending my throne next year. (lol)

2009 National Intercities & Municipalities Chess Team Championship

As President of United Chess Players of Calapan, Inc. I sought the help of Marvin Panahon of City Youth and Sports Development Department together with our Secretary Steve Alcantara to have team representation in the event.
We were able to get support from the City Government and with pride and honor, the team represented the city last April 11 to 16, 2009.
We learned a lot from the experience! All were coming to right places. We were able to register our organization with National Chess Federation of the Philippines, we met with the City's lone Grandmaster Joey Antonio, battled out against titled players ... to name a few.
However, on the 14th of April, our team mate Nicasio Jun Rizo suffered asthma. We brought him to the nearest hospital but all our efforts were futile. His life was mated and instantly at that.
Sad day for Calapan Chess....
The team opted not to continue with the tournament. I have to let go my chance to be a board medalist at board 5. What was important at that time is we brought his body in our city.
Jun, may you rest in peace.

Why CHESS?

When I was younger, I was an avid basketball player. We would play basketball with my twin brother Joselito and relatives Jaime and Ogie. We would battle it out against other kids in the block.
During summer, there will be basketball tournaments. One time, there was an ongoing selection. Joselito and Jaime were already assured to have a team while Ogie was in Batangas for a visit to relatives. I taught there would be no problem in joining the last team. After all, the remaining slot is being fought by me and Gilbert who's other hand is amputated ('Putol Na)
But shock of my life Gilbert was the one chosen. What an unfair world it is!! Enough for basketball. Nobody should play it. We don't stand a chance with other countries!?!/ Blah blah blah!

WHERE IS THE HAT?

Once there was a man who lost his hat and thought he can have another one by stealing a hat from the church entrance. Once inside, he heard the sermon of the priest about the ten commandments. When the mass was over he approach the priest. "Father I would like to thank you. I went here with a sin in my heart but when I heard your sermon I have changed my mind". "Fine" said the priest. "But what did I say that change your mind?". "Remember Father when you said -Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife- then I remember where I left my heart.

WARNING!

When I was a little boy I fell in love with theater. And since there were no movies in those days I watch peep shows as many as I could find. My father warned me though. "Son one thing you should never do is watch peep shows featuring naked woman" Of course I ask why? He said: "You will see things should never see". That settled it. The next time I had plenty of money I went straight to a peep show. Truly my father was right I saw something I should never have seen...my Dad!

KAILAN DARATING ANG UMAGA?

Bakit sa tuwina'y kaydilim ng umaga?
Mga kulog at kidlat nagbabadya baga
Luksang ulap humahadlang talaga
Sinasansala ang mithing ligaya.

Kawangis ng batong di natitinag
Ang tanging saksi sa mga naganap
Mga nakita'y di maibulalas
Pangkat walang layang makapagpahayag.

Kawangis ng mangmang na'y pinutol pa and dila
Dahil sa nakita ang krimeng nagawa
Mga nakita'y pinagwalang bahala
'Pagkat sa pagwika'y wala siyang laya.

Kawangis ng lahing minsa'y walang kibo
Laging yumuyukod, laging tumatango
Sa pagkasubasob di makatayo
Pagkat pinipigil ang mga maling turo.

Ah! Kailan nga ba sisikat ang araw?
Upang magsiwalat ng katotohanan
Upang ipabatid mga kamalian
Bunga ng ulap ng kasinungalinan.

Ang paraan kaya'y magsawalang kibo
At huwag indahin sugat na tinamo
O hanapin ang mga nagkanulo at
Kuhanin ang apdo't durugin an puso?

Happy Birthday Rik!

January 1st is the birthday of my good friend Rick of SMC. Chessplayers from Batangas gathered in his magnificent house and me as perrenial guest. Rik is the strongest chessplayer in Batangas and if not for the nature of his work, he could easily be a National Master at the very least. Every year, he sponsored mini-tournaments normally blitz with prizes for 1st to 3rd place. This year's edition was divided into two tournaments- the 10 min blitz and 5 min blitz. Rik did not play in the 1st tournament (10 min) to my dismay as I am looking forward in upsetting him. The were 19 participants and we decided to effect the 5 Round SWISS System which I volunteered to officiate. Now I realized the importance of playing and officiating as my beloved Queen was taken by my opponent without compensation in a winning position in the third round, luckily I drew the game using "gulang". I end up 3.5 points after five round which is good for 5th place. I happened to beat Bong in the last round which served as a consolation.
I was looking forward in the 5 min tournament as Rik will surely participate and the format is Round Robin. I was very excited as I will be playing white against him based on the schedule. During the game, I teased him to play Ruy Lopez which he obliged but at the back of my mind I was hoping that he will be playing Guicco Piano when I played 3. Bc4 as I observed him to reply in some of his games against other opponents in the past. In the end I was badly beaten. I placed 3rd with 9.5 points in 9 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw.
I am looking forward in beating him next year. I will emerge victorious in our battle and infict the defeat in the most important day of his life. I hope...