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:
TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
Wed, 18 Feb 2026A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 18 Feb 2026PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 18 Feb 2026ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
Wed, 18 Feb 2026CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
Wed, 18 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
Wed, 18 Feb 2026Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 18 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
By Eric Armit, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 17 Feb 2026All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 17 Feb 2026WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena
Tue, 17 Feb 2026Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies"
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 17 Feb 2026LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON
Tue, 17 Feb 2026Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 17 Feb 2026