ASPIRING VICTOR

As time passes by, the things we used to be familiar with are starting to gradually disappear. Each passing generation makes way for the next to take its place in history. In today’s generation, chess does not seem to be a popular choice among the majority of youngsters, they tend to opt for physical activities and online games rather than engaging in the intellectual challenge of chess. But for Angelito Langgam, it was a different story.

Come, and be a part of something extraordinary by uplifting the inspiring life story of Angelito Langgam, one of the best wood pushers of Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS), together. At the age of 11, Angelito Langgam Jr, started to hone his skills after being introduced to chess by his friend. But at such a young age, he didn’t get any chance to participate in any competitions in his school.

Now that he is in his Junior High School, he got a lot of opportunities to try out and partake in his School’s Chess Club Team. He works hard to prepare for the competitions he will join in the future, he trained, solved puzzles, watched Youtube tutorials that can help him to enhance his skills.

It’s only natural for people to get nervous when going to a competition. Langgam felt the same way when he competed with seven different schools in the District Level held at Don Alejandro Roces Sr. Science Technology High School. But on the contrary, he ate and left no crumbs with a standing of five wins and 2 losses.

When Langgam competed in the Division Chess Competition, even though he was thrilled yet anxious because his opponents are skilled players, he still managed to triumph in four games against his seven opponents, making him take the second place. He claimed that he was delighted at that time and cried out of joy because it’s his first year competing in such a prestigious competition.

After he won at the Division Level Contest, he joined the 3-man contest held in Marikina with his subordinates Jayrald Jade Antiporta and Aviel Carredo. He was so glad when he got to be the third placer in the said competition, anyone will be glad when you achieved something worth it yet unpredictable.

After all of his winnings, he still had more opportunities to partake in different competitions. With the door open, he still wants to continue his journey to be a skilled chess player in the near future, he wants to be a better version of himself and wants his name to get known in his field of passion just like Aviel Carredo, a Grade 6 student from Bagong Silangan Elementary School (BSES), a young prodigy chess player. It’s the first yet main reason why he wanted to pursue his dream is also because he wanted to be praised by many and appreciate his efforts.

Langgam stated in his interview that he will never forget where he came from when he was just a beginner, and if he’s not fortunate enough to become a chess master, he plans to teach his younger sibling and other youngsters to play chess. His passion in his field will forever be linked with him until he gets older. ”It’s not what we can do that defines us, it’s what decisions we make.”

This group of Nationals will easily outnumber the 656 Filipino athletes who competed in 38 sports in last year’s SEA Games held in Vietnam, where the Philippines overall acquired fourth place with 52 gold medals, 70 silver medals, and 104 bronze medals.

“I’m confident these are all fighting athletes,” Tolentino said, “They will be competing in all the events despite the odds,” he added.

The 608 events in 38 sports that Cambodia has planned are still needed to be competed in by the Filipino competitors, despite the fact that the host country is favored by a certain set of regulations, particularly in combat sports.

The host is the only nation allowed to field full teams in combat sports from May 5 through May 17, all other countries are forbidden to do so.

Fun Fact On Sea Games

Cambodia is their first time to host the 32nd Southeast Asian Games for the first time in 2023. The country is gearing up to showcase its best to the world by upgrading its sports facilities and infrastructure. Cambodia’s official mascot for the SEA Games is a cute and cuddly rabbits named “borey” and “rumduol“ were chosen as the mascot of Cambodia 2023 as it’s a lovable character in the Cambodia folk tales, that depicts strong values in the teaching of Buddhism- inspiring, fairness, justice, knowledge, and helpful in the community. The choice of the rabbits also highlights gender equality in sports.