GM Eugene Torre Supporters (GETS)
R & R With The Legends
by: spawn2
June 30, 2012
Pics by: wordfunph & pinoymaster77
The group really had fun during the Karaoke Night but it seems, 5 hours was not enough to satiate the hunger of the group to bond with NM Iskubadayb and GM Genius. Since Master Isku will return to the Land of Milk and Honey by 1st week of July, an activity has to be set in order to have some additional face time with the Master.
Phones started ringing trying to arrange a schedule and a venue that is acceptable to everyone. It was Master Isku himself who suggested that the venue could be a resort so that everyone can relax and unwind.
There were several options..a beach resort in Bataan (too far), a private pool in Laguna (it maybe too small). When I mentioned these options to Atty Nanobrain, he said that he knows a place in Calamba Laguna called Batis ng Makiling which has very good facilities. (continue reading …)
spawn2: <R & R with the Legends> Part 2 So the group agreed to go to Batis ng Makiling on Saturday, June 30. Regge Tee, Dari Castro, wordfunph, pulsar, nanobrain, sheriff, epistle, allan d, pinoymaster77 and of course Master Isku confirmed that they will join. Everyone got even more excited when GM Eugene texted Friday evening that he will join us. Wordfunph and Allan D said that they will go straight to the venue while nanobrain and sheriff will wait for us (GM Eugene, Master Isku, pulsar, epistle, spawn2) at Shell SLEX where we will have our breakfast. By 9:30 am, we were already entering the compound of Batis ng Makiling where a banner welcoming the arrival of Master isku is prominently displayed at the entrance (courtesy of wordfunph and allan d). We were kidding Master Isku and started calling him “Mayor” because the banner resembles the tarpaulin local groups put up to welcome an important personality in their town. When we arrived at our designated hut, chess boards and pieces were already set-up and nanobrain and sheriff who arrived ahead of us (I made a wrong turn which added 15 minutes to our travel time) were already engaged in cerebral battle that started in Jollibee SLEX. We rested and surveyed the resort which boast a very huge swimming pool and 2 smaller pools (hot spring). Aside from the cottage, we were also provided with a room (nice and comfy) where we can change. After 30 minutes of joking and bantering, its time to hit the waters. GM Eugene went straight to the smaller pool while Master Isku, pulsar, wordfunph and I went to the bigger pool. Water was cold but the sun was doing a good job in reducing the impact of the cold water to our tired bodies. We were looking at wordfunph and it looks like he will execute a butterfly stroke but stopped before completing it..butterfly ba or butterdog stroke (combination of butterfly and langoy aso hehehe) After a few laps, its time to try the hot spring. continue reading …
|
June 16, 2012 : The Karaoke Night : Venue – Music 21
PRE – Karaoke Night : Yakimix, SM North EDSA
Pics courtesy by: wordfunph & epistle
spawn2: <The Karaoke Night> Part 1 <Brief History> Around 2 years ago, Philippine’s Chess Living Legend was kind enough to meet with three fans for dinner and swapping of chess updates. That first time became a tradition and almost every quarter, Asia’s First Grandmaster and GETS (Grandmaster Eugene Torre Supporters) will meet. After our last dinner in April (which happens to be the anniversary of the first meeting) we decided to introduce a “Novelty”. Instead of the regular dinner, why not go to a Family KTV to sing the night away. AFGM sings well and others in the group also sings well while some of us well, we sing so it was not really difficult to see the TN move. So the ball started rolling, text and email messages were sent and received to iron out the details. Karaoke Night was set in June 16, 2012 at Music 21! <The Karaoke Night> Part 2 Fast forward to June 16, 2012. Everybody is excited. Call time was set at 7:00 pm but nanobrain introduced a deviation from the main schedule and invited everyone to lunch at SM North Edsa. Site of the congragation is at Yakimix at 12 nn. He is there together with sheriff to meet a client. I texted the gang and Nf3em, epistle and pulsar replied that they will go. Atty. Roy is also on the way while me, I need to pick-up Master Isku at his residence. This is one of the things that made the Karaoke Night truly exciting. Master Isku who is now residing in the U.S. was one of GM Eugene’s support during his Candidates campaign in Alicante, Spain. He also represented the country twice in the Olympiad. According to Master Isku, its been 23 years since he last saw GM Torre! We withheld the information to GM Eugene that Master Isku is here in the Philippines. After the sumptuous lunch, we went looking for a place where we can play some chess. We landed at Persian Kebab and we were allowed to commandeer three tables for our playing pleasure. We started at around 3 pm and blitz our way until 6 pm.
<The Karaoke Night> Part 3 The time flew so fast that we did not notice its time to go the venue. If there is an early bird award, that will go to Morphyeus of Cavite who was at the venue by 5:30 pm. From SM North Edsa, 3 cars left at around 6:20 pm. Epistle with Atty Roy, Sheriff and pulsar with nanobrain , Nf3em and Master Isku with me. We arrived at 7 pm in the venue and GM Eugene was already there sitting comfortably at Rm 13 on the 2nd floor. He said that his meeting finished early which allowed him to go to the venue right away. Master Isku wore a dark eyeglasses and a cap and I introduce him to GM Eugene ” GM bagong member ng GETS and they shook hands with GM Eugene not recognizing Master Isku right away: ) Master Isku sat beside GM Eugene and for about a minute did not say anything. But since he can no longer contain his excitement, removed his eyeglasses and embrace GM Eugene : ) GM Eugene was really surprised. He said the dark shades and the cap made it difficult for him to recognize Mr. Bernie right away. They immediately swap stories, the 23 years of not seeing each other did not make any dent on their friendship. No awkward moments, they immediately warmed up to each other. The attendees started pouring in. Mr. Regge Tee, wordfunph and allan d from faraway Laguna and life of the party Dari Castro. We missed Master Glenn pinoymaster77 and kardopov. I need to mention Nf3em who traveled for 3 hours from Batangas just to be with the group. He will leave for Singapore this coming Tuesday. Mr. Llamo of Bacolod or was it Iloilo arrived latter part of the evening. Everyone are sitted, food is on the table, microphone and sound system were checked..its time to blast the night with music! From OPM songs to Western genre and even Russian inspired songs, the mic went around the table landing on the hands of the person with the good voice or with a brave heart hehehe GM Eugene, Atty. Roy, Morphyeus, sheriff, Nf3em, pulsar, epistle, allan d, spawn2, Master Isku and wordfunph took turns. Not so sure if our combined vocal repertoire was the reason Typhoon Butchoy decided not to make landfall. Regge Tee, nanobrain and Mr. Llamo decided to just watch in the sidelines while Dari confessed that he is more of a dancer rather than a singer. It was suppose to end at 11 pm but since everyone was having such a good time, we decided to extend our stay by another hour. The last 45 minutes was used to discuss chess and its impact on the lives of those playing it and how the learning you derived from the game can be use for the betterment of one’s life. Once again, the evening is about to end and everyone is tired but still smiling. Good food, good music with good friends, how can you beat that! GM Eugene was the first to leave and the others followed afterwards. Another memorable night with memorable people. As they say, Chess and Music can definitely make people happy. Salamat po sa mga naging bahagi ng Karaoke Night. Hmm..next time beach or resort vacation perhaps with more attendees??: ) source: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=15793&kpage=312 |
Maging Sino Ka Man at Meralco Canteen – Feb 4,2012
Other GETS activities … to be continued
Much thanks for the Pics ka- BW/GETS official photographer pinoymaster77 !!!
Thanks for Sharing!!
Ok na ok!!