PHL MEMORY BETS READY FOR THAILAND OPEN; FILIPINA BETS WILL SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 06 Jul 2012
Manila, Philippines -- THE caliber of Philippine Memory Players will be put to a big test when they compete against the best in the world with first Filipino Grandmaster (GM) of Memory Mark Anthony Castaneda and veteran campaigner Roberto Racasa bannering the Philippine campaign in the 2012 Thailand Open Memory Championship gets underway today, Friday, July 7 at the Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand.
The team, which finished second overall in the 20th World 'Olympic' Memory Championship (WMC) last December in Guangzhou, China, will test its mettle against some of the best memory athletes from all over the globe.
Castaneda from Barangay Old Zaniga in Mandaluyong became the first Filipino Grandmaster of Memory. The 23-year-old Rizal Technological University Mandaluyong BS ECE graduate memorized a 1,140 digit numbers in an hour en route to his 1st grandmaster (GM) norm. He memorized a deck of cards (equivalent to 52 playing cards) in 1 minute and 10 seconds in the speed card category for his 2nd GM norm and memorized 13 decks of cards (equivalent to 676 playing cards) in an hour to earn his third and final GM norm during the 20th World 'Olympic' Memory Championship (WMC) last December in Guangzhou, China.
"I hope to do well in this event (Thailand Open Memory)," said Castaneda.
Racasa, a former PUP Sta Mesa Manila top chess player for his part: "The Thailand Open Memory Championships will also serve as a training ground for this year's Australian Memory Open Championships set October in Melbourne and this year's World 'Olympic' Memory Championships gets going on December in London," said Racasa, who was also able to break several US records at the 2010 UK Open International Memory Championships with the Philippine Memory Team captured the silver medal.
Other member of the Philippine Memory team are Anne Bernadette Bonita, Cristine Barao, Ydda Habab, Shairmaine Dianquinay, Princess Mendoza, Blessy Mae Ayalde, Ian Roi Spencer Betiong and 10-year-old whiz kid Jamyla Lambunao.
"I have always dreamed of bringing honor to our flag and country, this could be my chance." said Bonita, who work as project engineering assistant at PLDT.
"This would be the first time Filipino women will take part in this prestigious and rare event," added Bonita, who hails from Caloocan City and ECE graduate from PUP Sta. Mesa Manila.
"This would also be the first where Philippine Memory Team will have representatives for Junior division and one of the interesting player for this event is the 10-year-old whiz kid Jamyla, who can memorize a deck of cards in 2.57 minutes," last word of Bonita.
Completing the Philippine Memory team are team Manager and delegation head Aurelio "Reli" de Leon, US and PH chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. and Edwin Llamo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weigh-in Results: Collazo and Valdez On Weight for Flyweight Showdown in Oceanside
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 20 Jun 2026“I feel Murat’s style is a perfect match for me.” Tony Yoka prepares for Murat Gassiev
Sat, 20 Jun 2026Alex Eala continue her magical run by beating World No. 8 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 20 Jun 2026BOXING LEGEND: JIMMY CARRUTHERS
By Ray Dunbar, Fri, 19 Jun 2026WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH H2O SYLVE vs. JOJO DIAZ
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Collazo vs. Valdez Final Press Conference Quotes
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Alex Eala beats World No.2 Elena Rybakina
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Jun 2026Undefeated Cuban Middleweight Pedro Veitia Scores Electrifying Stoppage of Previously Unbeaten Taiwo Afolabi
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Riyadh Season boxing events will stream free starting in November
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 19 Jun 2026Heavyweight Contender Gustavo "The Cuban Assassin" Trujillo Returns June 28 in Main Event of "Fist of Fury 11"
Fri, 19 Jun 2026DC Eagles routs Perfect, 5-1 in R5
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 19 Jun 2026PCCI Las Piñas Leaders to Visit Lipa for the June 20 JCI Rapid Chess Tournament
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez eyes five squads in JCI Senate Lipa 3X3 Open Rapid Chess Tournament on June 20
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Jun 2026PACHECO CLASHES WITH ALEEM ON STACKED LA CARD
Thu, 18 Jun 2026Rising Mexican Contender Neider Valdez Steps in to Face Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo in WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Championship Fight
Thu, 18 Jun 2026