Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Fraud Run-a-Mayweather, The Devil, and The Fear of Losing
In my previous post (December 5, Round 1 to Mayweather), I pointed out that Fraud Run-a-Mayweather gained a big advantage in luring Manny Pacquiao into a March 13, 2010 fight barely 2 months before the national elections in the Philippines where he is running for a congressional seat. Fraud probably thought that Manny would not agree but he did. Then, negotiations appear to be running smoothly with the only unknown being the venue. Once that is decided, what happens next?
It appears that there is likely another smooth running going on coupled by some devilish trickeries on the part of Run-a-Mayweather. First, they agreed that there will be no disclosures to media about the negotiations although information leak out so fast that this has no use at all. However, no direct communication to the media has really taken place until the Fraud camp starring Run-a-Mayweather, Ellerbe, and Schaefer announced that the other side is refusing their request for random blood sampling prior to the fight to detect illegal drugs. They did this to insinuate that the other camp is trying to hide something and walk away from the fight. Some media people seem to support this right away and hurried to write their reports. The Devil is at work again.
Pacquiao, by all comprehensive accounts, agreed to have his blood drawn in January prior to the scheduled press conference and again after the fight. In addition, he also agreed to have his urine taken at random anytime during training and then the usual before and after fight night as in the Nevada regulations. Is this enough? Is there a point for having additional blood sampling done?
The Truth About Drug Testing
Most write-ups that I see share the same conclusion that urine sampling is the most effective and efficient way of detecting illegal substances. The only drawback is that samples can easily be substituted or altered. In this level, however, I don't see the Nevada Athletic Commission being so negligent as to not ensure that substitution and alteration are prevented. There is a reason why this commission takes urine samples only in some inclusive period such as immediately or up to a couple of days before and after the fight. However, there are drugs that have recently evolved that can be hidden within that short detection period and so there is some merit in getting random urine samples. Oral fluid or saliva can also be substituted for blood sample. With the exception of a couple of drugs, none of which gives any advantage for the user in the sport of boxing, oral fluid samples detect what blood samples can.
So, is Manny trying to hide something or Bob Arum just got tired of unnecessary demands by Run-a-Mayweather and is now thinking that there is really no sense to continue the talks?
Did Fraud find a way to run away again and then pretend that his proposed opponent refused to fight? Is his fear of losing overcoming his desire for money which he can get anyway by appearing in more less-risk fights?
Team Pacquiao feels that they are being harassed and would like this to stop and rightly so.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Queen’s Sacrifice: A Look Into My Cousin’s Fascinating and Selfless Virtue
Chess history and literature are filled with illustrations of combinations that involve the sacrifice of the Queen, the most powerful piece on the chess board. Such a move is always the most brilliant and fascinating of all and often the most difficult to undertake in a game of chess. Yet most masters or even the lesser mortals of the game have at one time or another demonstrated their ability to make the ultimate sacrifice for either a quick win or a clear advantage.
The life of Margarita or Meg Santos, the first born of Felix and Petronila Santos, has seen this parallel all throughout and continues on to this day. In 1975 at a young age of 19, she threw herself into this other end of the world and left her family in order to support them. Two years of hard labor in the prairies and soon after her father's death, it would become clear that Meg would be the official breadwinner for her family. Three more agonizing years will pass before the family would finally re-unite with their queen. On December 30, 1980, each member of the Santos clan flew from Manila to meet Meg in Saskatoon. This started, not ended, another parallel and a lot more to come.
From thereon, Meg has dedicated herself even more for the service of her mother and siblings who have gained success one by one. The siblings would later gain stability and enjoy all privileges of living in Canada. However, none of their successes could be credited for each alone. They help and support each other to the fullest but no one could equal that that comes from Meg. Meg would end up as the last member of the family to own a house and she always drives the oldest car. Meg's unconditional support for her family would be the primary reason why she has not married. She would not tell you so but I am 100% sure.
A few years later in 2001, I would become a beneficiary of the Santos family's generosity. Leading the pack is…You guessed it – Meg! My brother, too, would not escape Meg's onslaught. And now that so many of our old neighbors back in Bacoor, Cavite have moved to Saskatoon in the hope of a greener pasture, Meg won't be the last person to offer her support – guaranteed. In fact, any success story that would come out from these people can be attributed to the queen because if not for her original sacrifice, none of us could even think of coming to Canada.
Thank you, Meg for all your sacrifices! You have shaped our future. Now, we can stand-up for ourselves. Through your example, we can pass it on to our families. It is now time for you to think of your own future. Your legacy has been secured but your future deserves better!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
TO MY MOM, THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL!
Christmas Day 1935, almost 74 years ago, a girl was born somewhere in a remote barrio in Bacoor, Cavite. I now realized that she could have been a US-born citizen if not for Manuel Luis Quezon and the 1935 Philippine Constitution.
She would, however, later become my grandparents’ Mona Lisa, beautifully crafted and yet genetically armed with great rearing abilities. Sadly enough, they would not have the opportunity to witness their daughter’s greatness. My grandfather died during the war and his wife succumbed to Tuberculosis not long after leaving my mother and 2 more siblings, not even in their teens, separated and to the hands of caring relatives. Some other closer relatives would later deprive them of their right for a greater share of inheritance than what they got. An old case of the greedy taking advantage of the hungry who have no means to fight back.
The eldest became the greatest domestic helper of all time. Way before courses for this profession started to enjoy popularity in that part of the world which is the top exporter of domestic help, she was already making news in the neighborhood. Hampered by a physical affliction, she would not marry and instead would look after every single child in the family and in the family she stayed with right after my grandparents’ death. She would take care of everybody from my oldest brother to my cousin’s youngest daughter - not one was not hugged, fed and loved by my Auntie. People say I was her favorite but purely, she loved everybody.
The youngest, who is like poker’s Money-Maker, first became a seamstress and later did anything and everything that could earn her income. Extremely hard-worker and wise, she would become financially the most successful of the three.
My mother found herself helping out in a relative’s turu-turo in Baclaran and became adept in cooking before she found my dad or my dad found her. Despite being twice her age, she chose to marry my dad, a famous mechanic from Hagonoy, Bulacan. The two would have 6 kids: Reynaldo, Florencio, Rolando, Natalia, Julieta, and myself. From a small nipa hut in a remote, mostly farming land of Looban and a measly amount my father got from selling his share of my other grandparents’ property in Bulacan, the two would start a motor vehicle repair business and also operate a couple of passenger jeepneys. The number of customers would grow. Although most of them wanted free service, they would help increase the number of jeepneys too and life was really getting better.
However, another tragedy would strike the family. Rolando was born with a blue baby syndrome. He had heart defect and would only live 4 months. But my parents would be unfazed. They worked so hard to give my brothers and sisters good education knowing the things they were deprived of will be our ticket to escape poverty. They would re-build our home into a more solid structure and cleaner, safer place to live on.
But success would be halted once again. My dad, wiring our ceiling lights, suddenly fell from the chair he was standing on. He got blood clot on his brain which the doctors had to open-up. The surgery was successful so it was a complete surprise to me to hear the news that on the 21st of January 1975, he died of kidney failure. I hardly remembered anything except for a few encounters with my father and the long way to the cemetery during the interment. I was barely 6 years old and just about to attend school in June of that year. He did not witness Reynaldo graduate from High School getting numerous academic recognitions along the way and Natalia honored as her school’s valedictorian during her own elementary graduation that same year. She would go on to become a Salutatorian in High School and thereby gain scholarships from the University of the Philippines.
With the help of Rodrigo or Ato, who is my father’s godson and more than a brother to me, and to some degree wonder kid Florencio, the family would keep the repair shop and the jeepneys. Slowly but surely, however, the jeepneys were decreasing in number and the business looking as bleak as ever. Mother, knowing best, had to do something and so she did.
She would sell the remaining jeepneys except one to start her own grocery store in the Zapote marketplace. She would get loans here, there, and everywhere and borrowed money from individuals and some well-to-do relatives just so we can continue our studies. She would make all the necessary sacrifices, I know, to make sure we finish our education. She would, of course, pay them all back which allowed her to gain their trust and give her more loans.
In the early ‘80s and in fact even before that, most adult male in our old neighborhood would go to oil rich Saudi Arabia for a promise of a better job and income. Florencio, armed with his Radio and Electronics Technician diploma from Samson University, and Rodrigo would be no different. They worked there to help my mom. Rodirgo would come back less than a year later and the amazing Florencio, who once called himself the greatest technician in the world, became the back bone of the family’s income. He would come back after finishing his contract to reopen the old shop and included electronics repair at home and also to continue his Mechanical Engineering studies.
By 1988, Reynaldo, a graduate of Chemical Engineering, has spent some time in another oil rich country, Kuwait. Natalia, a BS Chemist from UP, has been promoted to a supervisory position in a chemical processing plant in Rosario, Cavite. And Julieta recently finished her BS Commerce degree in the University of Santo Thomas. In the meantime, I was working on completing my own Electrical Engineering degree and have planned on graduating by October of that year. Include Ato to the mix who also finished Automotive Mechanic course and one could interpret this as an overwhelming success for my mother, once a homeless orphan child separated from her 2 beloved sisters. She was definitely so proud of all of us and the success we had were likely not possible without her hard work and perseverance.
Then, a group of heavily armed men surrounded and sprayed bullets on a tinted pick-up truck owned by a relative but at that time was being driven by my brother. Florencio died instantly. (It’s been more than 21 years since that incident and I still find it hard to accept). Tears in the family won’t stop for a while and those from my mother’s continue to drop to this day. Long after his death, I still continue to have dreams of him coming back to us and rejoining our family.
Since then, more tragedy struck the family via the destructive forces of fire. My mother’s store got totally burnt 4 or 5 times and worst of all in 1995 our own home for so many years got burnt down to ashes completely.
Today, thanks to my mother, we all stood tall despite those misfortunes. Although we are all living in far away places and not seeing each other except for me and my mother who are together here in Edmonton, we are proud to say we have become successful in our own little ways and we stay together in our hearts through our mother.
To this day, she still has not stopped taking care of me and nothing I do to her including sacrificing my life would be enough to repay what she has done to me and my brothers and sisters. Let this be my tribute to her and come Christmas day I hope I can find the way to tell her how much she means to me and how much I love her. Now, I dream of one day re-uniting together with my brother and 2 sisters, Ato, together with all our children and my 2 aunts in front of my mother. That is probably the greatest gift we can give back to her and I hope it happens soon.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM! AND MERRY CHRISTMAS, TOO!
She would, however, later become my grandparents’ Mona Lisa, beautifully crafted and yet genetically armed with great rearing abilities. Sadly enough, they would not have the opportunity to witness their daughter’s greatness. My grandfather died during the war and his wife succumbed to Tuberculosis not long after leaving my mother and 2 more siblings, not even in their teens, separated and to the hands of caring relatives. Some other closer relatives would later deprive them of their right for a greater share of inheritance than what they got. An old case of the greedy taking advantage of the hungry who have no means to fight back.
The eldest became the greatest domestic helper of all time. Way before courses for this profession started to enjoy popularity in that part of the world which is the top exporter of domestic help, she was already making news in the neighborhood. Hampered by a physical affliction, she would not marry and instead would look after every single child in the family and in the family she stayed with right after my grandparents’ death. She would take care of everybody from my oldest brother to my cousin’s youngest daughter - not one was not hugged, fed and loved by my Auntie. People say I was her favorite but purely, she loved everybody.
The youngest, who is like poker’s Money-Maker, first became a seamstress and later did anything and everything that could earn her income. Extremely hard-worker and wise, she would become financially the most successful of the three.
My mother found herself helping out in a relative’s turu-turo in Baclaran and became adept in cooking before she found my dad or my dad found her. Despite being twice her age, she chose to marry my dad, a famous mechanic from Hagonoy, Bulacan. The two would have 6 kids: Reynaldo, Florencio, Rolando, Natalia, Julieta, and myself. From a small nipa hut in a remote, mostly farming land of Looban and a measly amount my father got from selling his share of my other grandparents’ property in Bulacan, the two would start a motor vehicle repair business and also operate a couple of passenger jeepneys. The number of customers would grow. Although most of them wanted free service, they would help increase the number of jeepneys too and life was really getting better.
However, another tragedy would strike the family. Rolando was born with a blue baby syndrome. He had heart defect and would only live 4 months. But my parents would be unfazed. They worked so hard to give my brothers and sisters good education knowing the things they were deprived of will be our ticket to escape poverty. They would re-build our home into a more solid structure and cleaner, safer place to live on.
But success would be halted once again. My dad, wiring our ceiling lights, suddenly fell from the chair he was standing on. He got blood clot on his brain which the doctors had to open-up. The surgery was successful so it was a complete surprise to me to hear the news that on the 21st of January 1975, he died of kidney failure. I hardly remembered anything except for a few encounters with my father and the long way to the cemetery during the interment. I was barely 6 years old and just about to attend school in June of that year. He did not witness Reynaldo graduate from High School getting numerous academic recognitions along the way and Natalia honored as her school’s valedictorian during her own elementary graduation that same year. She would go on to become a Salutatorian in High School and thereby gain scholarships from the University of the Philippines.
With the help of Rodrigo or Ato, who is my father’s godson and more than a brother to me, and to some degree wonder kid Florencio, the family would keep the repair shop and the jeepneys. Slowly but surely, however, the jeepneys were decreasing in number and the business looking as bleak as ever. Mother, knowing best, had to do something and so she did.
She would sell the remaining jeepneys except one to start her own grocery store in the Zapote marketplace. She would get loans here, there, and everywhere and borrowed money from individuals and some well-to-do relatives just so we can continue our studies. She would make all the necessary sacrifices, I know, to make sure we finish our education. She would, of course, pay them all back which allowed her to gain their trust and give her more loans.
In the early ‘80s and in fact even before that, most adult male in our old neighborhood would go to oil rich Saudi Arabia for a promise of a better job and income. Florencio, armed with his Radio and Electronics Technician diploma from Samson University, and Rodrigo would be no different. They worked there to help my mom. Rodirgo would come back less than a year later and the amazing Florencio, who once called himself the greatest technician in the world, became the back bone of the family’s income. He would come back after finishing his contract to reopen the old shop and included electronics repair at home and also to continue his Mechanical Engineering studies.
By 1988, Reynaldo, a graduate of Chemical Engineering, has spent some time in another oil rich country, Kuwait. Natalia, a BS Chemist from UP, has been promoted to a supervisory position in a chemical processing plant in Rosario, Cavite. And Julieta recently finished her BS Commerce degree in the University of Santo Thomas. In the meantime, I was working on completing my own Electrical Engineering degree and have planned on graduating by October of that year. Include Ato to the mix who also finished Automotive Mechanic course and one could interpret this as an overwhelming success for my mother, once a homeless orphan child separated from her 2 beloved sisters. She was definitely so proud of all of us and the success we had were likely not possible without her hard work and perseverance.
Then, a group of heavily armed men surrounded and sprayed bullets on a tinted pick-up truck owned by a relative but at that time was being driven by my brother. Florencio died instantly. (It’s been more than 21 years since that incident and I still find it hard to accept). Tears in the family won’t stop for a while and those from my mother’s continue to drop to this day. Long after his death, I still continue to have dreams of him coming back to us and rejoining our family.
Since then, more tragedy struck the family via the destructive forces of fire. My mother’s store got totally burnt 4 or 5 times and worst of all in 1995 our own home for so many years got burnt down to ashes completely.
Today, thanks to my mother, we all stood tall despite those misfortunes. Although we are all living in far away places and not seeing each other except for me and my mother who are together here in Edmonton, we are proud to say we have become successful in our own little ways and we stay together in our hearts through our mother.
To this day, she still has not stopped taking care of me and nothing I do to her including sacrificing my life would be enough to repay what she has done to me and my brothers and sisters. Let this be my tribute to her and come Christmas day I hope I can find the way to tell her how much she means to me and how much I love her. Now, I dream of one day re-uniting together with my brother and 2 sisters, Ato, together with all our children and my 2 aunts in front of my mother. That is probably the greatest gift we can give back to her and I hope it happens soon.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM! AND MERRY CHRISTMAS, TOO!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
British Porn Star is Latest Member of the Club
The membership keeps growing. According to the London Daily Newspaper, the latest addition is Holly Sampson, a popular British porn star. The report said:
“One of the two further women who came forward yesterday is a porn star named Holly Sampson whose CV includes films such as Lingerie Or Bust and Diary Of A Horny Housewife. The second is an unnamed cocktail waitress who says she had a two-year affair with the billionaire golfer and claims he told her his marriage was a sham and 'just for publicity'.”
If I were blonde, I would have joined this million dollar club as well. But Phil is really my guy. GO GET THEM, PHIL!
“One of the two further women who came forward yesterday is a porn star named Holly Sampson whose CV includes films such as Lingerie Or Bust and Diary Of A Horny Housewife. The second is an unnamed cocktail waitress who says she had a two-year affair with the billionaire golfer and claims he told her his marriage was a sham and 'just for publicity'.”
If I were blonde, I would have joined this million dollar club as well. But Phil is really my guy. GO GET THEM, PHIL!
Monday, December 7, 2009
I Had Sex With Tiger Woods
If you are good-looking, have a gorgeous body, white, female and you want to have a million dollars, come join the latest club: I Had Sex with Tiger Woods club. Announce to the world that you had an affair with Tiger and you earn free membership. Just beware of another club – Tiger’s golf club - which can smash your car’s windows into pieces if it ends up in the wrong hands – Elin’s.
Family first; why can’t we fill our minds with that first before we even think of something else? Truly, success and money or fame and fortune are nothing but artificial and without the spiritual balance, can lead to the hazards of life. In a golf course, I have no doubt Tiger can extricate himself and find a way to win when confronted with many hazards. Such a talent cannot help him in dealing with life and family hazards. I can only hope he finds the right path, one that does not ensure winning major championships but can win his family back.
From now on, I will be rooting for Phil Michelson. He knows more about family than some other guys. I do think that 2010 is Phil’s year. GO GET THEM, PHIL!
Family first; why can’t we fill our minds with that first before we even think of something else? Truly, success and money or fame and fortune are nothing but artificial and without the spiritual balance, can lead to the hazards of life. In a golf course, I have no doubt Tiger can extricate himself and find a way to win when confronted with many hazards. Such a talent cannot help him in dealing with life and family hazards. I can only hope he finds the right path, one that does not ensure winning major championships but can win his family back.
From now on, I will be rooting for Phil Michelson. He knows more about family than some other guys. I do think that 2010 is Phil’s year. GO GET THEM, PHIL!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Saint Andrew’s School (SAS) Grand Alumni Homecoming Dec. 29th, 2009
Ikinalulungkot kong ibalita sa inyo mga kapatid na hindi ako makakarating sa nalalapit na pagtitipon ng mga Andreans at maging sa reunion ng Batch ’84. Ganunpaman, ako’y labis na nagagalak sapagkat si pareng Felipe Pagtakhan, Jr. at Roy Arimas na pawang taga rito sa malamig na ciudad ng Edmonton ay makapaghahatid ng mga balita sa inyo. Umaasa akong sa pamamagitan nila ay maging bahagi rin ako ng selebrasyon bagkus ay hindi sa pisikal na paraan. Sabik akong maghihintay sa kanilang pagbabalik dala ang inyong mga ala-ala na kanilang ibabahagi sa akin. MABUHAY ANG MGA ANDREANS! MABUHAY ANG SAS BATCH '84!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Round 1 to Mayweather: Is Manny Pacquiao Becoming Overly Confident?
It appears that Uncle Bob has succeeded in luring Manny Pacquiao into fighting Floyd Mayweather , Jr. as early as March 13th next year. This will create more distractions in Team Pacquiao’s camp as if it is still lacking in that department. Although distractions in the camp do not affect his performance in the ring as Manny has proven repeatedly, this one might be entirely different.
Vying for a congressional seat in the Philippines for the second time after a debacle in his first try is a monstrous task even for a real hero. Which candidate would not have this election in mind 24 hours a day? Some of them even resort to barbaric execution of opponents and their supporters that threaten their positions. Manny just could not say no to anybody and this attitude always succumbs to devilish trickeries. The boxing hero now plunges into dangerous territories against a fighter known for his mastery of the sweet science and whose objective is always to hit without getting hit.
All the advantages now point to Mayweather. How to overcome all these is the job for master trainer Freddie Roach. He may have a doubly difficult task at hand. During the fight with Miguel Cotto, Manny appears to be oozing with too much confidence as he allowed himself to get hit and left his guard wide open too many times. He cannot afford to do the same thing against Mayweather and Freddie Roach better be ready with the correct strategy – again. Confidence is great but too much of it can be disastrous.
While he has looked invincible and has improved astronomically in his last four fights, Manny has yet to prove in the ring that he can effectively deal against a good tactician and counter puncher. David Diaz, Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Cotto are all southpaws. All but one uses the orthodox stance. Dela Hoya, Hatton, and Cotto have 3 things in common – They are all southpaws, uses the conventional stance, and their main weapon is the left hook. The ever smart Freddie Roach knew all along that they will be susceptible to Manny’s lightning quick right hook which the duo developed with tremendous success. The master trainer saw this in the Diaz fight and they gave full use of it the rest of the way.
Alas, what a big difference a style makes! Mayweather’s right straight counter will be quicker and more powerful than Marquez’s and he rarely throws left hooks. Manny and Freddie should prepare for this as well. Then there’s Mayweather’s left jab. With a 5-inch advantage in reach, the bigger man might be able to keep the little guy at bay by constantly throwing jabs.
Wapakman may be invincible but the real hero in Manny Pacquiao is only human. And although he is far greater (in the deepest meaning of the word) than his opponent, he has far more weaknesses and disadvantages that can be exploited.
Indeed, if Manny Pacquiao succeeds once again, he can be considered the new G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time). For if there’s another human being not just boxer who has accomplished more and overcame more odds from an impoverished and forgotten place in society, I would be totally surprised.
Vying for a congressional seat in the Philippines for the second time after a debacle in his first try is a monstrous task even for a real hero. Which candidate would not have this election in mind 24 hours a day? Some of them even resort to barbaric execution of opponents and their supporters that threaten their positions. Manny just could not say no to anybody and this attitude always succumbs to devilish trickeries. The boxing hero now plunges into dangerous territories against a fighter known for his mastery of the sweet science and whose objective is always to hit without getting hit.
All the advantages now point to Mayweather. How to overcome all these is the job for master trainer Freddie Roach. He may have a doubly difficult task at hand. During the fight with Miguel Cotto, Manny appears to be oozing with too much confidence as he allowed himself to get hit and left his guard wide open too many times. He cannot afford to do the same thing against Mayweather and Freddie Roach better be ready with the correct strategy – again. Confidence is great but too much of it can be disastrous.
While he has looked invincible and has improved astronomically in his last four fights, Manny has yet to prove in the ring that he can effectively deal against a good tactician and counter puncher. David Diaz, Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Cotto are all southpaws. All but one uses the orthodox stance. Dela Hoya, Hatton, and Cotto have 3 things in common – They are all southpaws, uses the conventional stance, and their main weapon is the left hook. The ever smart Freddie Roach knew all along that they will be susceptible to Manny’s lightning quick right hook which the duo developed with tremendous success. The master trainer saw this in the Diaz fight and they gave full use of it the rest of the way.
Alas, what a big difference a style makes! Mayweather’s right straight counter will be quicker and more powerful than Marquez’s and he rarely throws left hooks. Manny and Freddie should prepare for this as well. Then there’s Mayweather’s left jab. With a 5-inch advantage in reach, the bigger man might be able to keep the little guy at bay by constantly throwing jabs.
Wapakman may be invincible but the real hero in Manny Pacquiao is only human. And although he is far greater (in the deepest meaning of the word) than his opponent, he has far more weaknesses and disadvantages that can be exploited.
Indeed, if Manny Pacquiao succeeds once again, he can be considered the new G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time). For if there’s another human being not just boxer who has accomplished more and overcame more odds from an impoverished and forgotten place in society, I would be totally surprised.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Wesley So Needs His Freddie Roach
Wesley So’s exploits in international chess competitions have now reached phenomenal level. He is the latest of the young prodigies that come out of the Philippines – a list that even includes current world champion and India’s pride Viswanathan Anand. Yes, Anand started to play chess while growing up in the streets of Intramuros, Morayta, Recto, Divisoria, Quiapo, etc. While Wesley’s accomplishments at a young age of 16 have been nothing but amazing already, I hate to see him fail to realize his full potential as a chess player.
What does Wesley have that Anand did not? You might think I am mistaken in the way I ask this question but no, this is right because the answer is the failure of the Philippine government to fully and effectively support the development of young talents in the country. Most of these wiz kids start on their own with parent support as in the case of Anand, Wesley, Mark Paragua , and others. Once the National Chess Federation of the Philippines or the Philippine Chess Federation in the old days takes over, they will improve but only to a certain extent. Then, when they become complacent like their government, they start to decline. This has been a recurrent theme in the Philippine chess scene. Anand did not have to go through it and became very successful.
Obviously, something is wrong. Wesley So and the Philippine government need to get their acts together to prevent another failure. If this cannot happen, Wesley better find another country that can do the job for him. You cannot do it by yourself, Wesley. Even Robert Fischer needed help and he got it in the end. Manny Pacquiao did not reach his full potential until he found the Wild Card gym and Freddie Roach.
What does Wesley have that Anand did not? You might think I am mistaken in the way I ask this question but no, this is right because the answer is the failure of the Philippine government to fully and effectively support the development of young talents in the country. Most of these wiz kids start on their own with parent support as in the case of Anand, Wesley, Mark Paragua , and others. Once the National Chess Federation of the Philippines or the Philippine Chess Federation in the old days takes over, they will improve but only to a certain extent. Then, when they become complacent like their government, they start to decline. This has been a recurrent theme in the Philippine chess scene. Anand did not have to go through it and became very successful.
Obviously, something is wrong. Wesley So and the Philippine government need to get their acts together to prevent another failure. If this cannot happen, Wesley better find another country that can do the job for him. You cannot do it by yourself, Wesley. Even Robert Fischer needed help and he got it in the end. Manny Pacquiao did not reach his full potential until he found the Wild Card gym and Freddie Roach.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Manny Pacquiao: The Greatest Boxer who Ever Lived
Manny Pacquiao: "The greatest boxer who ever lived" claim is not without merit. Consider these:
1. The first and only boxer to send Morales to the canvass and he did it multiple times.
2. The only boxer to knockdown Marquez 3 times in 1 round and a total of 4 times in 2 fights.
3. The only boxer who dominated Dela Hoya.
4. The only boxer who dominated Cotto and can be recognized as the first and only fighter to beat him legally.
5. The only boxer to send future HOFs in retirement or semi-retirement after beating them convincingly and emphatically. Remember the great names of Barrera, Morales, Dela Hoya, Hatton, and probably Cotto.
6. The first Asian boxer to hit the real big time in the US and, in fact, in the whole world.
7. The first boxer in decades to be featured in the cover page of the prestigious Time magazine.
8. The first and only boxer who owns a semi-pro basketball team and plays in it.
9. The first and only boxer to run for government office while still highly active in his career.
10. The only boxer who leads a political party.
11. The first boxer to sing in Jimmy K's show live.
12. The only boxer who competed in his country's national pool (billiards) championships and reach the quarterfinals.
13. The second boxer to raise fighting birds in his own farm (the firsts were Roy Jones, Jr. and his father).
14. The only boxer I know who plays chess as a hobby.
15. You know about the 7 in 7 and possibly 8 in 8 come the near future and before everything is said and done.
16. Soon to become the first and only former boxer to serve his country as its president.
Try and beat that.
1. The first and only boxer to send Morales to the canvass and he did it multiple times.
2. The only boxer to knockdown Marquez 3 times in 1 round and a total of 4 times in 2 fights.
3. The only boxer who dominated Dela Hoya.
4. The only boxer who dominated Cotto and can be recognized as the first and only fighter to beat him legally.
5. The only boxer to send future HOFs in retirement or semi-retirement after beating them convincingly and emphatically. Remember the great names of Barrera, Morales, Dela Hoya, Hatton, and probably Cotto.
6. The first Asian boxer to hit the real big time in the US and, in fact, in the whole world.
7. The first boxer in decades to be featured in the cover page of the prestigious Time magazine.
8. The first and only boxer who owns a semi-pro basketball team and plays in it.
9. The first and only boxer to run for government office while still highly active in his career.
10. The only boxer who leads a political party.
11. The first boxer to sing in Jimmy K's show live.
12. The only boxer who competed in his country's national pool (billiards) championships and reach the quarterfinals.
13. The second boxer to raise fighting birds in his own farm (the firsts were Roy Jones, Jr. and his father).
14. The only boxer I know who plays chess as a hobby.
15. You know about the 7 in 7 and possibly 8 in 8 come the near future and before everything is said and done.
16. Soon to become the first and only former boxer to serve his country as its president.
Try and beat that.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
How to Save the Philippines?
The Maguindanao massacre, unimaginable and despicable act of barbarism in the worst kind, is unmistakably the result of the worst political system in the entire universe. THIS SHOULD BE THE END! Filipinos, whatever good is left in you, should once and for all unite as one and convert this tragedy into a turning point in the nation's history.
I am doing my part right now. This terrible incident has inspired me to write this and html a plan to salvage what is left of my home country and wishfully transform it into what India and China are becoming economically these days and even surpass them.
So what is the first step?
1. THE PHILIPPINES NEEDS A DICTATOR
Yes, unfortunately but seriously, we need one. Only a dictator can do the following:
a) Dismantle all private armies all-over the country and force the armies to join the real one – the military. Make sure they get all the basic training they need. Use their lord's money for the expenses and their salaries. Their job is to defend the dictator and force obedience to anyone who opposes him.
b) Gather all the drug lords and all the corrupt politicians and military officials who have enriched themselves through public funds and criminal activities. Then, force them to use their millions or billions to form manufacturing and agricultural-based companies and employ and generously pay skilled Filipinos from janitors to directors. One might say why not just get their money and jail these people. If that can be done, why not? So long as the money can be used as I planned, I have no problem with that.
Examples of these manufacturing companies are: steel or iron works from fabrication to finished products like steel cabinets used as electrical enclosures; mechanical and electrical equipment manufacturing; civil construction firms; computers and electronics equipment manufacturing, etc. The ultimate goal is to be able to design, manufacture and export our own locally branded farm equipment, car, computer, electrical apparatus, TV, fishing boat, etc.
c) Collect taxes and the profit from the above companies. Return a portion to the employees and use the rest to accomplish the rest of the steps.
2. TOTAL CLEAN-UP
Cleaning-up the garbage, the streets, smokey mountain, the criminals, and everything else dirty would be a lot easier if people have jobs and doing well financially. There would be more challenge in cleaning-up the pollution brought by industrialization but it would be manageable.
3. BUILD NEW ROADS AND CITIES
This will create more jobs. In the new cities, move some government services to reduce the congestion in Manila. Then, the time is ripe to instill discipline to every driver. If needed, public transportation services can be placed under the dictatorship and be made affordable and convenient to every citizen. Use the postal service or e-technology as alternative to lining-up in the corrupt government buildings.
4. BUILD MORE AIRPORTS AND STIMULATE AIR TRAVEL WITHIN THE COUNTRY
By formulating means to increase business travels using air transportation, the dictatorship can boost the economy. Combined with a better tourism plan that focuses on local citizens visiting the tourist spots int heir own country, this would surely have lasting effects for the Filipino workforce in terms of appreciating the beauty of their country and the rich historical heritage that they are trying to give meaning to as they participate in the whole scheme of nation re-building.
5. GO BACK TO DEMOCRACY and hopefully it works this time.
These are short cuts. There are things to hurdle along the way but the end should justify the means in every case.
I welcome any inputs, critics, and supports. Come and join me spread this and let us select the right dictator!
I am doing my part right now. This terrible incident has inspired me to write this and html a plan to salvage what is left of my home country and wishfully transform it into what India and China are becoming economically these days and even surpass them.
So what is the first step?
1. THE PHILIPPINES NEEDS A DICTATOR
Yes, unfortunately but seriously, we need one. Only a dictator can do the following:
a) Dismantle all private armies all-over the country and force the armies to join the real one – the military. Make sure they get all the basic training they need. Use their lord's money for the expenses and their salaries. Their job is to defend the dictator and force obedience to anyone who opposes him.
b) Gather all the drug lords and all the corrupt politicians and military officials who have enriched themselves through public funds and criminal activities. Then, force them to use their millions or billions to form manufacturing and agricultural-based companies and employ and generously pay skilled Filipinos from janitors to directors. One might say why not just get their money and jail these people. If that can be done, why not? So long as the money can be used as I planned, I have no problem with that.
Examples of these manufacturing companies are: steel or iron works from fabrication to finished products like steel cabinets used as electrical enclosures; mechanical and electrical equipment manufacturing; civil construction firms; computers and electronics equipment manufacturing, etc. The ultimate goal is to be able to design, manufacture and export our own locally branded farm equipment, car, computer, electrical apparatus, TV, fishing boat, etc.
c) Collect taxes and the profit from the above companies. Return a portion to the employees and use the rest to accomplish the rest of the steps.
2. TOTAL CLEAN-UP
Cleaning-up the garbage, the streets, smokey mountain, the criminals, and everything else dirty would be a lot easier if people have jobs and doing well financially. There would be more challenge in cleaning-up the pollution brought by industrialization but it would be manageable.
3. BUILD NEW ROADS AND CITIES
This will create more jobs. In the new cities, move some government services to reduce the congestion in Manila. Then, the time is ripe to instill discipline to every driver. If needed, public transportation services can be placed under the dictatorship and be made affordable and convenient to every citizen. Use the postal service or e-technology as alternative to lining-up in the corrupt government buildings.
4. BUILD MORE AIRPORTS AND STIMULATE AIR TRAVEL WITHIN THE COUNTRY
By formulating means to increase business travels using air transportation, the dictatorship can boost the economy. Combined with a better tourism plan that focuses on local citizens visiting the tourist spots int heir own country, this would surely have lasting effects for the Filipino workforce in terms of appreciating the beauty of their country and the rich historical heritage that they are trying to give meaning to as they participate in the whole scheme of nation re-building.
5. GO BACK TO DEMOCRACY and hopefully it works this time.
These are short cuts. There are things to hurdle along the way but the end should justify the means in every case.
I welcome any inputs, critics, and supports. Come and join me spread this and let us select the right dictator!
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