Month: August 2009

Poll Result: Who’s the Greatest Player to Ever Play Basketball

Our survey, which arose from the heated discussion in Mon’s post, “Michael Jordan: The Greatness of his Airness, came to a close today after running for exactly one month. 52 respondents cast their votes, and here are the results:

  • Michael Jordan – 33 votes – 63%
  • Kobe Bryant – 6 votes – 12%
  • Deuts Ambuscade – 5 votes – 10%
  • Lebron James – 3 votes – 6%
  • Oscar Robertson – 2 votes – 4%
  • Magic Johnson – 1 vote – 2%
  • Larry Bird – 1 vote – 2%
  • Others – Manu Ginobili – 1 vote – 2%

So here it appears Michael Jordan is the clear winner. Of course we haven’t obtained the demographics of the respondents. So we really can’t tell whether MJ is still popular especially to the younger generations who haven’t yet seen him play. Continue reading

The ‘Hangtime’ Move by Deuts Ambuscade

Deuts Ambuscade is Brewing Coffee in the Air.

Wearing jersey no. 8, Deuts Ambuscade of the San Antonio Spurs gets past three defenders in this impressive move to the basket.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32OilCr2_FU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]

Okay, not to confuse with the real life NBA, this was just a clip from my favorite Playstation 3 game, the NBA 2k9. Deuts Ambuscade was a created player of mine and a superstar playing for the San Antonio Spurs.

Parañaque Chess Open ’09 — Another Photo Op with the Masters

Went to the Parañaque Chess Open ’09 today, not really to join in the tournament (although I would have loved to), but to take some pictures. Another photo op with the young Grandmaster Wesley So.

I recalled four (4) grandmasters participated in the tournament: Wesley So, Bong Villamayor, Mark Paragua and Darwin Laylo (somebody correct me if I missed some other grandmaster/s who was/were in the tourney). Wasn’t able to get the final results, although I heard Wesley So lost the tournament to the defending champion Darwin Laylo by tie-break (everybody is welcome to post the actual/official results in the comments below). Continue reading

Donaire wins WBA super flyweight title by unanimous decision

LAS VEGAS — Nonito Donaire unanimously outpointed Rafael Concepcion on Saturday night in his first super flyweight fight to take the WBA interim title.

Donaire, the 26-year-old Filipino star who vacated his IBF flyweight title to move up in weight, improved to 22-1 with his 21st consecutive victory. Judge Max De Luca scored the fight 117-111, Duane Ford had it 115-113, and Jerry Roth called it 116-112.

via Donaire wins WBA super flyweight title by unanimous decision.

Congratulations to Nonito Donaire! We Filipinos are truly proud of you!

The Curious Case of a Chess Enthusiast

Got a comment in my post, “Wesley So, the Gifted Child“. I prepared a long response that I decided to actually just post a new entry about it instead. And so here goes.

Here’s what my commentator has to say:

I don’t think that Wesley So is a gifted child. In today’s world where computer softwares are readily available to budding chessplayers earning a GM norm or title is not really that hard anymore. And to compare him to the great Bobby Fischer is indeed a blasphemy! Fischer was a true genius never before and shall never be seen again in chess. However, Wesley’s achievements should make the Filipinos proud. But as we all know India is million miles ahead of us in chess considering its long list of Super GMs.

To Mr. Panday, if you think Wesley So is not a gifted child, that’s your opinion. You’re definitely entitled to one. Any software is available to everyone to help him/her in analyzing a game, but it does not conclude anyone can also be a grandmaster. It takes patience and determination on top of the inherent skills in someone who is a grandmaster in order to master the craft of chess. Computer chess softwares are merely a tool in studying and preparing for a game or tournament. They are not there to think for you during the actual game. Continue reading

Initial Tests for ERR99 and EF-S 17-85mm

Canon EFS 17-85mm f/4-5.6 iS USM

Canon EFS 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

My initial tests revealed it might be with this lens, the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, might have been causing the error. Yet, I still have to do more rigid tests, as when I attached back this lens after rubbing off gently its gold contacts, error was gone again.

The Cory Aquino Funeral and the Error 99

I don’t think I could let it pass when I knew that former President Cory Aquino’s funeral march will pass by near my place. So I grabbed my camera and tried my best to document the event despite the heavy rains.

However, as I was shooting around, I got the much dreaded Error 99 by every Canon camera owners. Maybe it was because of the dying battery, maybe the CF card, maybe the lens, or worst–the camera itself (God forbid!)

Everytime the error occured, I had to turn off the camera and back on again before I can actually get the shot. It was real annoying, but at least I got to take some pictures (see below). Continue reading

Serenity and Peace

Imagine that deep blue sky, the white cotton clouds, the beach with the powder-fine sand, a lazy late-afternoon walk along the beach lines–miles away from the busy life in Makati.

It could only be perfect!

Sungha Jung: The Next Youtube Sensation?

As is usually the case, what determines the success of a great musician is how great he/she is at his favorite musical instrument as well as at singing. They usually go together. The chances of success when you’re only playing an instrument is lower than when you can do both well at your instrument and singing.

Oftentimes, in a rock band or any musical band for that matter, the vocalist becomes more popular than everyone else. Continue reading