New Vacancies at DepEd Central Office

 Dear Friends,

Do you have what it takes to be a government servant?  Well, this is your chance to be one.  The Department of Education is looking for dedicated and talented people to join the biggest public organization in the country.  The deadline for applications is on December 29, 2021. Apply now!

Mindoro Tamaraws Booked Quarterfinals Berth in PCAP

Dear Readers,

Last Saturday, July 17, 2021, the Mindoro Tamaraws made history by qualifying to the quarterfinals berth of the just concluded Play-in of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) sponsored by SGM Wesley So via online tournament through Zoom by upsetting the ever-reliable Palawan Queens Gambit team with a score of 11-10 in the first match and subduing them again via a score of 17-4 in the second match.

With the consistent scorers of Team Mindoro, the heroics of the Arena International Master Joselito Asi from Calapan City proved to be a huge surprise as he drew with WIM Beverly Mendoza in the blitz game and then won in a seemingly losing position in the final stretch of the rapid game.  His victory proved to be crucial as the team needed 2.0 points to advance to the second match since the score was 9-10 in favor of Palawan team which has a twice-to-beat advantage by virtue of its higher ranking.  On the brink of defeat and in a losing position, AIM Asi mated WIM Mendoza during the panic time thereby helping the Tamaraws moved to the second match with the score 11-10 thereby leasing a new life.

The Tamaraws fielded the same team members while the Queens reshuffled their board placing during the second match.  Since the Mindorenos gathered some momentum during the first match, their team continued to rake points and led 4-3 in blitz and needed only 7 points to win.  

During the Rapid match, however, boards 1 and 2 fell victim to accurate moves of the Palawan Queens early in the games and the players had to wait for the results of boards 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 for the complete scores.  

It was like waiting for eternity as the break-out room where the teams were assigned was so silent due to the importance of the games.  A few moments later, points were being written in the Zoom chatbox by the 5 Mindoro players signifying that they all won their remaining games.  What a sigh of relief, and the rest was history for the Mindoro Tamaraws!

Team Mindoro is thanking its sponsors and benefactors - Mayor Arnan C. Panaligan of Calapan City, Mayor Romulo "Muloy" Festin, LGU-San Jose Occidental Mindoro, Atty. Paul Elauria (PCAP President), Team Owner Mr. Justin Tan, and others. 

Team Composition:

Team Owner - Mr. Justin Tan

Team Manager/Board 1 - AGM Emmanuel Asi

Team Coach/Lady Player - ACM Michella Obaza Concio

Lady Player/Board 2/Import - WFM Szente-Varga Fruzsina (Hungary)

Lady Player - AFM Cylliz Kaessa M. Merilles

Seniors - Cesar Cunanan and Marcelo Abeleda

Homegrowns - USNM Rainier Labay, AGM Nezil Arj Merilles, Ronald Berdera, 

                         Zejih Angelo  Merilles, ACM Richard Allen Sicangco, and AIM Joselito Asi

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Eliminating Diabetes: Rotary Club of Manila

 Thank you so much Rotary Club of Manila and your transformational leaders for sharing your precious time and resources at the Claro M. Recto High School, Division of City Schools, Manila last December 4, 2020.  I was one of the recipients during this time of pandemic and I am so proud of your efforts.  May your tribe increase! #rotaryclubofmanila #rotaryinternational

 

Lifelong Leadership Congress

Good day friends from everywhere.

I had the opportunity to attend this important event sponsored by the Career Executive Service Board (CESB) this November 2020.  Mind you, it is just the first day of the workshop and I felt that I was overwhelmed by information already.  

First and foremost, I had no intention to attend this important activity for I thought it was only for the Career Service Executive Eligibles and not for the Career Executive Service Written Examination (CESWE) passers like myself.  But the very moment that I received an email from CESB inviting me to go to that event I immediately grabbed that opportunity.

Here I am after answering the Adversity Quotient (AQ) and the  GRIT Gauge Assessments (GRIT Gauge) I felt that I was a renewed man.  AQ discusses one's ability to respond constructively and GRIT Gauge reliably predicts performance, learning, agility, resilience, tenacity, and well-being.

I did poorly on the first exam but recovered fully-well on the second one.  Amazing!

I have been attending various activities of CESB before but this one is giving me great satisfaction. 

Helping Cats in the Time of Turmoil

🏚️ Storm, Stray, and Sacrifice: A Mother Cat’s Typhoon Rescue

I’ll be honest — I’m not really a cat person. But yesterday? Yesterday changed something in me.

It was November 1, 2020, and Typhoon Rolly was throwing a fit over Binondo, Manila — strong winds howling through narrow alleys, rain pounding rooftops like a thousand drums. I was inside, focused, prepping for a big online Rapid Open Chess Tournament hosted by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines on Tornelo. All calculations, strategy, and focus.

Until life — raw and real — interrupted.

From the hallway outside our condo unit, through the screen door, I saw a mother cat scurrying back and forth, a tiny kitten gripped in her mouth. Panic was written all over her posture — not fear of humans, but that primal urgency of saving her babies from something bigger than all of us: nature in rage.

I didn’t pay her much mind at first. Chess awaited. But then she returned. And returned again. Each time, more frantic. Each time, wetter and more desperate.

That’s when it hit me. This wasn’t just a lost stray.

This was a mother on a mission.

I rushed to the door and opened it. She bolted in, kitten still clamped gently in her jaws. I wiped them dry with an old towel. But then, something unexpected happened.

She paused at the door. Looked back. Waited.

And then — zoom — ran out into the storm.

Two minutes later: she came back with another kitten.

Then another.

And another.

Until four kittens were safely inside.

This heroic feline made three dangerous trips in the middle of a typhoon, soaking wet, braving gusts that would knock a full-grown human off balance — all to save her babies.

And she trusted me — a non-cat person — with their lives. That moved me deeply.

The two older kittens we were feeding outside? Turns out, they were hers too. So I scooped them up and brought them in. A full family, reunited. Safe. Dry. Together.

I don’t know what tomorrow holds for this little clowder of survivors. But what I witnessed wasn’t just instinct.

It was love in motion, courage in action, and motherhood at its most fierce and fragile.

And somehow, in that storm, a piece of my heart got claimed by cats.

Yes — I may not be a cat person…

But maybe, just maybe, they chose me anyway. br /> style="clear: both; text-align: center;">

Vacancies at DepEd-CO (Batch 66)

There are vacancies at DepEd CO now.  If you are interested, the deadline is on March 6, 2020. Join now!

Batch 64: New Vacancies at DepEd Central Office

DepEd Central Office welcomes competent and dedicated people of all backgrounds.  Join now -  work together and inspire others!

Batch 62: New Vacancies at DepEd

Hello guys,

Sharing you the vacancies at DepEd-CO.  Join now.

Notice of Vacancy (Batch 60): DepEd Central Office

Guys,

Meron na naman vacancy sa DepEd-CO.  Halika na, join na.

A Challenging Adventure to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A Knight’s Gambit in Kuala Lumpur

August 8–11, 2019 | Astro Merdeka Rapid Open Team Championship

This wasn’t your typical travel story. It was an unexpected opening, a mid-game twist, and a chaotic but unforgettable endgame — all set against the urban charm of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The adventure began with a message from my twin brother, who was in Oriental Mindoro at the time. He asked me to book a ticket to Malaysia ASAP — we were supposed to represent the Philippines in the prestigious Astro Merdeka Rapid Open Team Championship 2019. Being the die-hard chess enthusiast that I am, I didn’t hesitate. No questions, no blink — just pure instinct and a swipe of my BDO credit card
.
Flight booked. Bags packed. Chess spirit? Lit.

Checkmate Before the First Move?

When I finally arrived at the tournament venue, I was hit with a hard reality — our team didn’t exist. My twin had a falling-out with a local chess official, which left us stranded — no teammates, no registration, no backup plan.

But in true Asi fashion, we didn’t fold.

Instead, we roamed. Met legendary Filipino players — GMs, WGMs, IMs, FMs, and other national masters. Their encouragement and energy made the setback a little lighter. We explored nearby attractions in Kuala Lumpur, soaking up culture between nervous sighs and hopeful glances at the tournament board.

Then Came the Twist…

Just minutes before the start of Round 1, a Malaysian lady — a tournament lifesaver — approached us. She asked for our names. She said, “You can join our team — just cover a bit of the cost.”

We agreed. Instantly. Like two chess pieces finally moving after being stuck for too long.

PAMA 2 was our team name. It sounded like power... but what followed was a comedy of missed chances.

The Battle (and the Blunder)

We fought. Oh, how we fought.

Unfortunately, our teammates from other countries didn’t score a single win across all eight rounds. Yes, you read that right — zero. Zilch. A statistical nightmare.

But every dark board has its highlight — and that was my twin brother, who clinched a bronze medal on Board 2 by scoring 6.5 out of 8. A clutch performance amid chaos. Props to you, bro!

Three Moves Ahead: Lessons Learned

Form your team ahead of time. Don’t play roulette with your roster.

Bring extra funds. Hidden costs always lurk behind the clock.

Study the venue online. Know where you’re going before you land — chess isn’t the only game you’ll be playing.

Final Thought:

We came for victory. We left with stories, memories, and battle scars only real tournaments can give. That’s chess — and that’s life. Not always the position you expected, but always a game worth playing.

Until the next move.

— Arena International Master Joselito Bandelaria Asi
Lessons learned:
1)  Form a team ahead of time.
2)  Bring additional funds for other expenses.
3)  Scan the venue through the internet for some vital information.

 Sharing with you some light moments with the Philippines chess experts

 Asi brothers with Jollibee

UE Players: Erwin Tabor, E. Asi, GM Nelson Mariano II, and J. Asi

 GM-elect Haridas Pascua with Asi twins

 Asean Chess Academy tarp with E. Asi

 

  Asi brothers with WGM Janelle Mae Frayna 

 

 IM John Marvin Miciano, et. al.

  Roberto Suelo, Jr., et. al.

 

GM Darwin Laylo, GM-elect Ronald Dableo, et. al.

 Emmanuel Emperado, et. al.

 

 Philippines - GM Joey Antonio, et. al.

 

 Philippines - 2nd Place led by Haridas Pascua and Emmanuel Senador

 

 Board 2 Bronze Medalist - Emmanuel Asi

UE Players (L-R): Robert Gene Mariano, Ronald Castro, 

Malik Faizal, Emmanuel Asi, and Joselito Asi

P.S.
A word of gratitude to GM Nelson Mariano (who is now a resident of Singapore) for extending us help, to all the UE players who were there, and to all the Filipino players for making our lives easy and fine.

Tawanan Muna Tayo: Joke, Joke, Jokes

I got these jokes from various sources, either I overheard them from colleagues or have watched them on TVs and social media.  I will update this post every now and then.  Please make a comment or suggestion to improve this page.  My jokes are for intelligent people only.  If hindi ka natawa, alam na!

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Situwasyon sa Bahay

Nanay: Anak, ibili mo nga ako ng sibuyas at miswa diyan sa tindahan.

Anak: (Nagkakamot habang nag-e-ML sa CP) Nanay, gabi na po natatakot po akong lumabas.

Nanay: (Naasar pero nagtimpi pa) Anak, huwag kang mag-alala, 'di ba lagi mo namang kasama ang guardian angel mo.  Dalawa kayong bibili.

Anak: Naku Nanay! Iyong guardian angel ko na lang ang utusan mo.  Idadamay mo pa ako e.

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Hugot

Tanong:  Ano ang pagkakaiba ng red sa maroon?

Sagot:  Kapag red ay pula.  Kapag maroon ka ng iba ako'y mangangamba.

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A Filipino applies for a Job at Wal-Mart. An office manager at Wal-Mart was given the task of hiring an individual to fill a job opening. After sorting through a stack of resumes he found four people who were equally qualified.

An American, a Russian, an Australian and a Filipino.

He decided to call the
four in and ask them only one question. Their answer would determine which of them would get the job.

The day came and as the four sat around the conference room table the interviewer asked, "What is the fastest thing you know of?" Acknowledging Dave, the American on his right, the man replied, " A THOUGHT". It just pops into your head. There's no warning that it's on the way; it's just there. A thought is the fastest thing I know of."

"That's very good!" replied the interviewer.

"And now you sir?" he asked Vladimir, the Russian. "Hmm.... let me see. A blink! It comes and goes and you don't know that it ever happened. A BLINK is the fastest thing I know of."

"Excellent!" said the interviewer. "The blink of an eye, that's a very
popular cliche for speed."

He then turned to George, the Australian who was contemplating his reply. “Well, out at my dad's ranch, you step out of the house and on the wall there's a light switch. When you flip that switch, way out across the pasture the light in the barn comes on. Yep, TURNING ON A LIGHT is the fastest thing I can think of."

The interviewer was very impressed with the third answer and thought he had found his man. "It's hard to beat the speed of light" he said.

Turning to Eleuterio, the Filipino, the fourth and final man, the
interviewer posed the same question. Eleuterio replied, "Apter herring da 3 frevyos ansers sirrr, et's obyus to me dat de pusstest ting known is Diarrhea."

"WHAT!?" said the interviewer, stunned by the response.

"O I can expleyn serrr ." said Eleuterio "YOU SEE SERR, De odder day I wasn't peeeling bery good and I run soooo pusst to de battrroom, BUT bepore I could THINK, BLINK, or TURN ON DE LIGHT, I alrrreddy had de sheets in my panhts. Aysos nako!" Tumae na pala...

Eleuterio is now the new "Greeter" at Wal-Mart. (CTTO, taken from FB) 

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Scene: In an interview:

Interviewer:  Are you a leader or are you a ruler?

Applicant:  I am a leader, madam.

Interviewer: Why?

Applicant: A ruler must have 12 inches, I have only 8.  So I am a leader.

Interviewer:  You are hired!

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Bata1: May kulay pala ang utot.

Bata2: Talaga?

Bata1: Oo, ano ang kulay ng utot?

Bata2: Ano?

Bata1: Pink

Bata2: Bakit?

Bata1: (Isang mahaba at mahinang tunog) Ppppppiiiiinnnnnnnkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk.

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Bata1: May kulay pala ang utot.

Bata2: Talaga?

Bata1: Oo, ano ang kulay ng utot?

Bata2: Ano?

Bata1: Black.

Bata2: Bakit?

Bata1: (Biglang utot na malakas at may sumamang laman) BLACK!!!

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Bata1: May kulay pala ang utot.

Bata2: Talaga?

Bata1: Oo, ano ang kulay ng utot?

Bata2: Ano?

Bata1: Blue.

Bata2: Bakit?

Bata1: (Habang nasa swimming pool at napautot kasama ang mga bula) Blue.Blue.Blue.

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Which came first, the coins or the bills?  Why?
Answer:  Coins
Reason:  Coin purse (coin first)

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Anong gulay ang masakit sa puso?  Ano?

Answer: Ampalaya-in ka

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Scene - Teachers and pupils will sing the Philippine National Anthem

Teacher:  Oo mga bata, tayo na tayo at aawit na ng Lupang Hinirang.  Medi - cine (Ready, sing).

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