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:
Tyson Fury gets a unanimous decision victory after 12 rounds against Arslanbek Makhmudov in England
Sun, 12 Apr 2026'The Take Over' Renden Oppas Scores Win in Australia
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 12 Apr 2026CK Ingles: A Chess Player, Chess Team Manager - CHESS KINGS, Chess Tournament and Event Organizer
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 12 Apr 2026Hebert Conceicao Sousa Wins Perilous Unanimous Decision over Johan Gonzalez in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Prudential Center in Brick City
Sat, 11 Apr 2026ARGENTINE KO KING CHAVES FACES MADUENO IN LAS VEGAS
Sat, 11 Apr 2026Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
Sat, 11 Apr 2026Weights From ‘Mielnicki vs. Huerta’ Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
Sat, 11 Apr 2026Boquiren to face Olmillo in RFL on April 18
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 11 Apr 2026USA Opens Strong at 2026 Gee Bee Tournament In Helsinki
Sat, 11 Apr 2026Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 11 Apr 2026Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0
Fri, 10 Apr 2026Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 10 Apr 2026Ilar, Infiesto to play in Guevarra Chess Cup
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 10 Apr 2026Pabular to face Kitano on April 13 at Korakuen Hall
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 10 Apr 2026Five reasons why IBA NOMAD 14 in Almaty is worth watching
Fri, 10 Apr 2026