RP MEMORY ATHLETES AIM FOR GRANDMASTER MEMORY STATUS IN CHINA TILT

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino dynamic duo Johann Randall Paton-og Abrina and Roberto Mangaran Racasa, both eyeing the elusive grandmasters memory title before the year end.

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)-Mandaluyong-Bagong Henerasyon RP Memory Team Manager Aurelio “Reli” De Leon said Abrina, a registered nurse and UP Sports Psychology graduate student from Barangay WackWack, Mandaluyong City and Racasa, a former PUP top chess player and adopted son of Mandaluyong City have a more than even chance of clinching a GM title this year if they perform well in tough and prestigious World Memory Championships on December 1 to 6 at the Baiyun International Convention Center in Guangzhou, China.
” Malaki ang pag-asa nilang makuha ang coveted grandmasters memory title bago matapos ang taong ito. Hope maging maganda ang resulta nila sa World Memory Championships na gaganapin sa China.” said Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)-Mandaluyong-Bagong Henerasyon RP Memory Team Manager Aurelio “Reli” De Leon.
The 28-year-old Abrina, memorized a deck of card in lightning fast in 1 minute and 20 seconds bagging his first Grand Master (GM) norm in memory which paved the way for the Silver Award conferred upon him in the just ended 4th UK Open International Memory Championships held last August 26 to 27 in London, United Kingdom.
“Hope masuportahan kami ni Robert (Racasa) ng gobyerno natin lalung-lalu na sa training namin,” said Abrina, who needed two (2) more Grand Master (GM) norm to complete his GM Memory status and become first Filipino GM (Memory).
The 34-year-old Racasa, meantime woved the spectators when he memorized three (3) decks and 768 digit binary numbers in thirty (3) minutes, breaking the United States (US) records of memorizing two (2) decks of cards and 630 digit binary numbers with the same time duration.
“Crucial ‘yung gagawin namin ni Johann (Abrina) sa pag training namin. Y’ung mga kalaban namin ay top 10 sa buong mundo at matagal ng naglalaro sa local at international competition sa event na ito pero kami ni Johann ay second time pa lamang y’ung sa China sa Disyembre.,” said Racasa, a former “kristo” or bet-taker in a cockfighting arena in Marikina City.
Delegation Head and Coach Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., RP and US chess master added:
“Tiyak na paghahandaan na din tayo ng mga makakalaban natin ibang bansa kahit paano nakapag perform tayo ng maganda sa London kahit first time lamang natin naglaro sa tournament na ito,” said Bernardino, also a sportswriter and radio commentator.
On Tuesday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)-Mandaluyong-Bagong Henerasyon RP Memory Team arrive the country aboard Emirates Airlines with a warm welcome from officials and employee of Mandaluyong City hall.
On Wednesday, the RP Memory Team (Abrina, Racasa, De Leon and Bernardino) paid a courtesy call to Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos Jr. in the morning followed to PCSO General Manager (GM) Atty. Ferdinand Jose “Joy” Rojas II and chairman Margie and Vince Juico in the aftenoon.
Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-List introduced resolution congratulating and commending the RP Memory Team (Abrina, Racasa, De Leon and Bernardino) for winning the Grand Master (GM) Norm-Silver Medal to the 2010 UK Open International Memory Championships in London, United Kingdom.
Rep.Bernadette Herrera-Dy accompanied the RP Memory Team (Abrina, Racasa, De Leon and Bernardino) to Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte at the House of Representative, Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

On Thursday, the RP Memory Team (Abrina, Racasa, and Bernardino) guest in Umagang Kay Ganda followed by ANC hosted by Karen Davilla.
On Friday, the RP Memory Team (Abrina, Racasa, De Leon and Bernardino) guest in SCOOP Forum in Kamayan Padre Faura in Manila. Marlon Bernardino
Photo caption:

from left to right:
Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-List, RP Memory Delegation Head/ Coach Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Roberto Mangaran Racasa, Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, Team Manager Aurelio “Reli” De Leon and 2010 UK Open International Memory Championships Silver Medallist Johann Randall Paton-og Abrina at the House of Representative, Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Wednesday.
from left to right:
RP Memory Team Manager Aurelio “Reli” De Leon, Delegation Head/ Coach Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., PCSO chairman Margie Juico, 2010 UK Open International Memory Championships Silver Medallist Johann Randall Paton-og Abrina, Roberto Mangaran Racasa and PCSO General Manager (GM) Atty. Ferdinand Jose “Joy” Rojas II at the PCSO office in Quezon City on Wednesday.
from left to right:
RP Memory Team Manager Aurelio “Reli” De Leon, 2010 UK Open International Memory Championships Silver Medallist Johann Randall Paton-og Abrina, Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos Jr., Roberto Mangaran Racasa and Delegation Head/ Coach Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. at the Mandaluyong City hall on Wednesday.