Seeing a news item about chess in the upper front page of a major daily in the country is indeed a promising sign for the development of our beloved sport in this politically challenged land.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer’s article titled “DepEd includes chess in school curriculum” landed on its front page last January 13, 2009.
Chess news on the front page?
News editors are looking for a number of elements for a news item to deserve a space in the front page.
Is it because this development is so rare in this country?
Is it because this development is extraordinary?
Is it because the Philippine media nowadays have come to realize that the sport of chess in the Philippines has a huge following – which translates to huge readership (print media), viewership (TV), listenership (radio), and clicks (online media). [For instance, the number of readers and followers of this simple blog grows each day.]
Is it because the local chess community – composed of star players, officials and supporters, fans, kibitzers, sponsors – has made the sport interesting enough to draw the media’s attention?
Or is it simply because of the name “GM Wesley So” and the words associated with him such as “prodigy”?
Would you believe that a recent news items on inq7.net entitled “Chess in DepEd curriculum ‘a brilliant move by Lapus’ and “Grandmaster So leaves for Corus Chess” are tagged as “Most Read” article?
Whatever the reason, one thing is sure. Chess development in the country is geared up for a revolution.
4 Comments:
everytime i opend my compu, the first thing that im looking are write ups about chess esp local news. a friend of mine gave me ur site, and im very happy that i have now something to read daily.
i am a father of 3 from iloilo, the 2 boys are chess age group participants for 3 consecutiv yers na, and my 10y.o. boy already playd paulo bersamina and unix samantilla, the kids u always featurd here.
gud move mr. sec.....
thats a novelty!!
Mga Sir, tnx for your comments!!
Doon naman po sa nag-post na taga-Iloilo, sino po yung anak mo na nakalaban na ni paulo bersamina? Baka pwedeng i-feature natin dito sa blog? Salamat po.
His name is Lanz Renuel Otero. They playd last 2006 age group, 8 under cat pa wer my son lost to Paulo. Pasok c Lanz sa top 10 (6th)sa elim but we're not able to play the championship (round robin) coz his name was not mentiond during the awarding, d kami nakapag complain that time coz they wont entertain complaints (at ang gulo) during the awarding. I called Mila to clarify (12mn), she chekd it at doon nakita nya pasok pala c Lanz, but at that time wer already at the airport (3.30am)waitn 4 the 1st flite to iloilo
Paolo playd here sa iloilo last 2007 shell elim, i was able to chat with his mom, dont know if she still remember it. Paolo placed 2nd, my other kid (12yo) 4th and Lanz 7th.
Post a Comment