https://chessdailynews.com/wesley-so-will-switch-federation-to-the-us/
Hello Wesley So, thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to talk with us. Your recent decision to change federations is big news in the chess world. We are sure that your fans are interested to know more about the details of your decision.
Chessdom: Why do you need to switch federation? Can’t you achieve the same thing by staying with the NCFP?
Wesley So: There are many more strong events in the United States. I would like to have the opportunity to compete in high level events.
But this is not the only reason. One of problems is the current system in the Philippines. I will give you my personal example. At this stage of my career, I need to have serious training, and have the opportunity to compete in level appropriate events (category 19-20-21 or higher) in order to improve.
I train very hard every day at Webster University, with the help of my coach Susan Polgar. I went from around #100 in the world before I came to Webster University less than 2 years ago, to #15 right now. I hope to be invited to many strong events in the near future.
In the Philippines, there is no serious training system. There are also very few strong tournaments in Asia. Besides, I am required to fly back from the U.S. during my school year to compete in events such as the South East Asian Games, which seriously conflict with my study at Webster University. I have to live with the fear that if I am unable to play, I may get deprived of financial support.
When I did not compete in the Asian Indoor Games in 2013, and instead played in the World University Games(which was a very strong event), in spite of winning the first ever Gold medal for the Philippines, I was denied the official recognition from the NCFP. No player should be treated this way, especially when I worked so hard to bring pride to my country.
This is the same problem for players like Sadorra, Barbosa, or Paragua, etc. They need help with training, play in stronger events, and know that they will have consistent support from the NCFP. This is to the benefit of the federation. There is also a need for a high level training system in the Philippines to help young talented players excel. There is no reason why this cannot be done, especially given the fact that chess is quite popular there.
Chessdom: Do you have any financial agreement with the USCF?
Wesley So: I did not make any agreement. On the contrary to the rumors out there, I receive no support from the U.S. for switching.
What I receive is serious training (from my coach Susan Polgar) and support system at Webster University. However, this is independent from me switching federation. Webster University does not require me to play for team USA.
Chessdom: What are your future chess goals?
Wesley So: My next goal is to break 2750, then top 10 in the world. My ultimate goal is to be able to one day compete for the world title. But I am only focused on one goal at a time.
Chessdom: Did you ever make a request to the Chess Federation of the Philippines for consent to switch federations?
Wesley So: Yes. I made a request last November to the President of the NCFP. I offered to play for the Philippines one last time at the Tromsø Chess Olympiad, with the condition that I would be granted permission to switch federation at the conclusion of the event. My request was simply disregarded. I never received a direct answer.
Because of this, I had no choice but to sit out for 2 full years, and filed the necessary paperwork for the switch. There was no deal with the USCF. Therefore, there will be no chance that they will pay for the compensation fees. I am an average college student. I do not have 50,000 euros to pay to the NCFP as compensation.
At this point, it is too late for me to represent the Philippines in the upcoming Olympiad in Tromsø, even if the NCFP accepts the offer I made last November. I made other commitments after the June 1st deadline to submit the Olympiad team roster.
I was told by the NCFP President in the past that he wants to see me reach the top. I hope that he will keep his promise and grant me the opportunity to reach my dreams without losing more valuable time. He is the only one who can make the decision to help me. If he chooses not to help, but instead punish me by refusing to consent, I will have no choice but to lose another valuable year. I will wait and hope for a positive response. I will let you know as soon as I have the answer from the NCFP.
Chessdom: Do you consider yourself Filipino, Canadian, or American?
Wesley So: I am a proud Filipino, always will be a Filipino at heart, and never forget where I came from. I am thankful for all the support in the past. My parents now live permanently in Canada. But I live full time in St. Louis right now and I hope to reside permanently in the U.S.
The big question is will Pichay keep his word to Wesley So or will he show the true color of a politician and seek revenge against the kid? All eyes are on him.
What was the reason why NCFP not recognize him for world university gold? That’s so stupid. Who ever made this decision should resign from his/her post.
Statement from NCFP Secretary General Abraham Tolentino on GM Wesley So departure: “We can’t do anything it, it’s a FAMILY DECISION and of course, WE CANNOT GIVE WHAT THE UNITED STATES IS OFFERING. Its beyond our control.”
Statement from Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richie Garcia on GM Wesley So departure: “HE’S a BIG LOSS. HE IS VERY TALENTED CHESS PLAYER. IT WILL BE LONG BEFORE WE FIND ANOTHER LIKE HIM.” (Chairnan Garcia has yet to pull the plug on So’s monthly allowance of $ 916 (Php 40,000) a month but will do so until the issue has become final)
Statement of Legendary Philippines GM Eugene Torre on GM Wesley So deparure: ” There is nothing to be sad since the 20 years old So will be recognized as someone who came from the Philippines REGARDLESS of his newfound country. WE CAN’T JUDGE HIM (So) if his ambition is to become a world champion. IT’S HIS PERSONAL DECISION, anyway. The best thing to do right now is to agree to his (So) offer to play for the country one last time in the World Chess Olympiaf in Tromso, Norway this August and SET HIM FREE. IN THE END, IT WILL BE UP TO THE NCFP LEADERSHIP TO MAKE A FINAL DECISION ON THAT MATTER.”
Latest from the Philippines: National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President Prospero Pichay still REFUSED TO GIVE CONSENT for GM Wesley So transfer of Federation from Philippines to US Chess Federation. Rumors has it that the refusal to give consent is meant as a PUNISHMENT IMPOSED on GM Wesley So for his apparent transfer to other country and for not following Pichays order. Pichay apparently is willing to place the Chess Carrer of GM Wesley So in a FREEZER so to speak and possibly destroy his chances of being an elite grandmaster as a PUNISHMENT for the transfer. The only way for GM Wesley So to avoid the punishment imposed to him by Pichay is to pay the transfer fee of € 50,000 euro to the NCFP, otherwise he will be forced to sit out on any FIDE organized or sponsored events like the World Chess Championship, World Chess Olympiad, Workd Cup, World Cup qualifucations like the Zonals, World Rapid and Blitz Championship, Asian Championship and the like and he is FORBIDDEN to represent the Philippines in international chess competitions for 2 years. But since it has been 1 year since he filed his request for transfer, he still has 1 more year to wait before he will be allowed to represent the US Chess Federation in international chess competitions. His transfer to US Chess Federarion can be hasten if some good hearted person out there who would help him raise the € 50,000 euros transfer fee payable to NCFP. Otherwise, he waits for 1 more year.
Latest from Philippine Chess circles:,Two (2) more Philippine Chess Granmaster will be changing Federation from the Philippines to some other country, possibly the US Chess Federation. The two has not been named but all points to US based Philippine GM Catalino Saddoro (2600) and Mark Paragua. It can also be GM Oliver Barbosa (2592). GM Wesley So is the # 1 rank GM in the Philippines; GM Sadorra is # 2 and GM Barbosa is # 3. GM Mark Paragua is the first Super GM of the Philippines with peek elo of 2,610 + but somehow his chess career spiraled out and got beaten badly in chess competitions for apparently lack of training and support fron his federation. A wasted talented. If the news would be indeed true, the Philippines standa to lose its top 3 Grand Masters and will severely weaken the Philippines as chess power in Asia. With lack of adequate support from NCFP, more exodus of GM are expected. The Philippines also lost a top Women IM to Australia.
The talented women chesser that transferred from Philippines to Australia was Women Masters Arianne Coalli (with elo of 2,164 as of June 2014 Fide Rating) and ranked # 3 in Australia. She used to play for the Philippines in the Chess Olympiad and one of the bright and promising women chess player in the Philippines. She was abandoned by the in-fighting of Chess officials and lack of support from her federation thats why she opted to change federation to Australia. Besides her parents I suppose is an Australian citizen. Sad state of Philippine chess due to non-support of the local chess body.
The 2 Philippine Grandmasters who will be changing federation are GM’s Oliver Barbosa (2,592 as of June 2014 Fide Rating and rank # 3 in the Philippines) and GM Mark Paragua (2,510 as of June 2014 Fide Rating and rank #7 in the Philippines and a former Super GM). GM Oliver Barbosa withdrew from the World Rapid and Blitz Championship event in Dubai, a Fide organized event. Both GM’s are now in the US which leads to the possibility that both will switch to US Chess Federation. Another GM, Catalino Saddora (2,600 as of June 2014 Fide Rating and rank # 2 in the Philippines) is presently based in the United States and married to an American. With recent developments in Philippine Chess where the number 1, 3 and 7 ranked Philippine GM’s switching Federation to the US, he might also consider changing Federation to US as he is already US based. Mass exodus of top Philippine GM’s which makes the Philippine Chess Team contingent in the Tromso, Norway Chess Olympiad SEVERELY DEPLETED. If GM Sadorra will follow, that would be 4 members of the Philippine Team to the Chess Olympiad missing. The Philippines might as well withdraw its participation or risk being humiliated by fielding weak and unprepared replacements.
Jesus loves you. I’m sure you are the chess player of all time and forever will be remembered. No matter how much time passes will be a legend. ‘m Roger Hull, editor of the blog Chess 3000. Want to congratulate you for being among the top 10 most intelligent people alive today. You can visit our publishing: http://ajedrez3000.blogspot.com/2014/06/dos-ajedrecistas-figuran-en-el-top-10.html
A stray bullet eh? Your statement has no relation to the topic discussed… your like Nakamura Mr Roger Casco lol But since lots of people are reading this hot issue about Wesley So its a perfect venue to promote your blog eh :d
Latest from the Philipines: The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) “claimed that So has not personally furnished it a copy of his letter, adding they could have worked out the matter.” It seems that NCFP President Prospero Pichay DENIED RECEIVING the LETTER of GM Wesley So requesting for his transfer among others. Should he received they could have some sort of settlement or agreement with GM Wesley So camp. Darn, GM Wesley So and Coach Susan Polgar, NCFP President Pichay is telling now DID NOT RECEIVED Wesley’s letter. NCFP President Pichay now washing his hands like Pontius Pillate. INCREDIBLE!
The National Chess Federation of the Philippines still did not sent to Fide its list of team for the Tromso, Norway Chess Olympiad in August. With the GM Wesley So, Oliver Barbosa and Mark Paragua all changing federations, they will definitel NOT BE PLAYING for the Philippines. Since NCFP seeded GM Wesley So, Catalino Sadorra and Oliver Barbosa outright to the team and the NCFP has yet to stage the Finals for the selection of other members, NCFP is now in disarray. That leaves the Philippines with only GM Catalino Sadorra as member of the Philippine team to Tromso Norway Chess Olympiad. And they have to select thru qualification tournament the remaining 4 members. But it seems the Fide deadline for the submission of complete lineup for the Chess Olympiad had already ELAPSED. So technically, the Philippines will be not participating in the Chess Olympiad this August unless they were given some kind of a special deadline.
Since Wesley So would no longer be available to play for the Philippines in Tromso, Norway Chess Olympiad due to the previous non-response of NCFP and accompanying deal, that would leave Wesley So vacant from August 1 to 14, 2014 the schedule of the Chess Olympiad. And since he had already commited to other events other than the Chess Olympiad, I suppose his tournament schedule in August would most likely be the 42nd Annual World Open from June 30 to July 6, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia USA. Its Fide rated event sponsored by the Continental Chess Association 🙂
Excerpts from interview of GM Eugene Torre by Ruben Terredo (www.spin.ph/sports/chess/eugene-torre-says-he-ubderstand-wesley-sos-bid-to-switch-allegiance-to-us-federation#read) -Translated to English for convenience to non-tagalog readers: <> Decisiob of So to relinguish his status as Phil chess player has a lot to do with his desire to reach his full potential as a chess player. <> Torre said “Perhaps GM So realized that his dream/goal can ve achieved if he is in United States as its citizen, which prompted him to decide to change federation. I understand his position. Also, So might have realize that he can join more strong tournaments in the United States. His current coach Susan Polgar has lots of connection (in the chess world community). He can have the full support of US chess fans/supporters if he is an American citizen as they will only do so on their own citizen.”
Excerpts from interview of GM Eugene Torre -translated to English for non-Filipino readers (www.spin.ph): “Torre said he will bat for So to be given the release by the NCFP, but added it will be better if he competes for the Philippines one last tine in the 41st World Chess Olympiad in Norway this August as his “swan song” as Filipino chess player.
Excerpts from the interview of GM Eugene Torre -translated to english for non-filipino readers (www.spin.ph): “Torre urged fans not to hastily judge So for his decision. Even if So becomes an American citizen, Torre believes that Filipino chesd communities should continue to support the young GM. He further adds… the important thing is, being a Filipino, we should also support him (So). His goal is perhaps to be a world champion someday. Wesley perhaps realize that he can achieve his goal if he us in the United States (as a US citizen). Nevertheless, it is still a fact that Wesley So was born in the Philippines. His mother is an ilongga, you cant deny that he is still has Filipino blood in him. We have to respect his decision.”
Nakamura will not switch federations. He will even volunteer to play for USA and Philippines and win gold for both boards. In short, Nakamura is better than So and all the Polgar sisters combined
Hi Wesley So hater, jealous eh? lol Nakamura is a CHOKER. Nakamura NEVER won Gold in Board 1 of the Chess Olympiad. The Polgar sisters are BETTER than Nakamura at least they already BEAT Kasparov but Nakamura cant even beat Kasparov apprentice Carlsen, 10-0 head-to-head match in favor of Carlsen. Suck on. Keep on wetting you crab mentality So hater lol
FYI: Judith Polgar already beat Kasparov in an official Fide event. Kasparov is Magnus Carlse master. Nakamura never beat Carlsen. 10-0 in favor of Carlsen. If Nakamura cant beat the apprentice in Carlsen, he will surely cant beat the Master Kasparov. At least Judith Polgar already beat the Master Kasparov lol
Hello Wesley So hater, jealous eh? lol Just because Wesley So change federation you former turncoat/plastic Wesley So fan eh now running your bad mouth? Go get some work instead of ranting your ass there. Go back to pacland and start your own hate thread, LOSER lol
Pichay can’t hide forever. He can’t no longer claim that he knows nothing. Either he’ll let Wesley go or he won’t. This will be huge political implication if he decides to ruin a kid’s life to satisfy his own ego.
The Precursor to the tragedy:
The snub by sports officials of his gold medal earned in the Kazan Olympiad has already convinced Wesley that there is no point in representing the country …any honor and glory he will bring will be spurned in the end in favor of dirty politics.
Hence, Wesley stayed away in World Juniors chess.
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Published : Thursday, September 12, 2013 00:00
Article Views : 1,557
Written by : Ed Andaya
KAZAN Universiade gold medalist GM Wesley So will not be there in the 2013 World Junior Chess Championships scheduled Sept. 12-27 in Kocaeli, Turkey.
“I won’t be playing in the World Juniors,” said So, who made history by winning the country’s first-ever gold medal in the 27th Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia last July and reaching the second round of the World Cup in Tromso, Norway last month.
“My next event is Hoogoven on Oct 18-26,” added the 19-year-old Filipino champion, who is still widely considered as one of the world’s strongest junior players with an ELO of 2710.
No official reason was given, but people close to So and his family now based in Canada said the Filipino champion felt slighted by the perceived runaround given him by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
The NCFP, headed by president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, refused to recommend So for a financial incentive from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) despite winning a historic gold medal in Kazan.
The PSC, through executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy, said the absence of a formal recommendation letter from the NCFP prevents the government agency from giving So his financial reward as mandated by law.
“We only need a letter from the NCFP to facilitate the release of a financial incentive for Wesley,” said Iroy in an interview with People’s Tonight.
“We have given financial incentives to other deserving athletes, like the Gilas-Pilipinas basketball team and gold and silver medalists in the recent Asian Youth Games. Wesley deserves to get an incentive, too, for wining a gold in Kazan,” explained Iroy.
The snub by sports officials of his gold medal earned in the Kazan Olympiad has already convinced Wesley that there is no point in representing the country …any honor and glory he will bring will be spurned in the end in favor of dirty politics.
Hence, Wesley stayed away in World Juniors chess.
Print
Email:
Published : Thursday, September 12, 2013 00:00
Article Views : 1,557
Written by : Ed Andaya
KAZAN Universiade gold medalist GM Wesley So will not be there in the 2013 World Junior Chess Championships scheduled Sept. 12-27 in Kocaeli, Turkey.
“I won’t be playing in the World Juniors,” said So, who made history by winning the country’s first-ever gold medal in the 27th Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia last July and reaching the second round of the World Cup in Tromso, Norway last month.
“My next event is Hoogoven on Oct 18-26,” added the 19-year-old Filipino champion, who is still widely considered as one of the world’s strongest junior players with an ELO of 2710.
No official reason was given, but people close to So and his family now based in Canada said the Filipino champion felt slighted by the perceived runaround given him by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
The NCFP, headed by president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, refused to recommend So for a financial incentive from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) despite winning a historic gold medal in Kazan.
The PSC, through executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy, said the absence of a formal recommendation letter from the NCFP prevents the government agency from giving So his financial reward as mandated by law.
“We only need a letter from the NCFP to facilitate the release of a financial incentive for Wesley,” said Iroy in an interview with People’s Tonight.
“We have given financial incentives to other deserving athletes, like the Gilas-Pilipinas basketball team and gold and silver medalists in the recent Asian Youth Games. Wesley deserves to get an incentive, too, for wining a gold in Kazan,” explained Iroy.
So’s mother, Leny, refused to comment about the cash incentive for his son for winning the Kazan Universiade gold medal, but confirmed that the Filipino champion decided to skip the World Juniors and focus on his studies at the Webster University.
“We’re sorry but Wesley will not represent the country in the World Juniors. It’s better that he concentrates on his studies now,” wrote Mrs. So.
Added Ms. So: “Wesley fought hard for our beloved country in a world competition. Not being recognized for what he has done is not good.”
So was supposed to represent the country in the prestigious world competition, along with newly-crowned National Junior champions Jerad Docena and Jan Jodilyn Fronda.
The two other Filipino campaigners, however, left for Turkey at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday.
They will be accompanied in Turkey by coach Yves Ranola.
“It’ s really unfortunate that Wesley will not be in Turkey to represent the country,” said one local chess analyst.
“Wesley has a very good chance to win there considering that he has already beaten two world junior champions, Zaven Andriasian of Armenia and GM Alexander Ipatov of Turkey in the last two months,” he added.
Andriasian, who ruled the world juniors in 2006, was the same player beaten by So in a heart-stopping Armageddon game to capture the gold medal during the Kazan Universiade in Russia last July.
Ipatov, who emerged as the world junior champion last year, was eliminated by So in the first round of the World Cup in Tromso last month.
So was seeded first in the WJCC website ahead of GM Yu Yangyi of Chian and Ipatov.
Minus So, Yu is now the highest-rated player in the two week-long competition with an ELO of 2662, followed by Ipatov with ELO of 2601 and GM Jorge Cori of Peru with ELO of 2587.
If Wesley had participated he has an overwhelming chance to bring home the bacon… Thanks to the country’s incompetent sports officials…his last chance to cop the crown (..i.e. he turns 20 after the tourney..thus ending his junior years)…blown to waste …forever …gone with the wind…Honor and glory denied not only to Wesley but to the country.
How the National Chess Federation of the Philippines under President Prospero Pichay supports chess wiz like GM Wesley So: “CHEZ WIZ SLEPT AT THE LUNETA (PARK) & MALLS TO CUT COST (www.baguiomidlandcourier.com) = Bea Mendoza, 12 years old University of Baguio student, SLEPT in the PARKS and in MALLS before she left for Macau last week to represent the Philippines in the 15th ASEAN Age Group Championship on June 3-12, 2014. She and her mother had to spend the nights in Luneta Park or in the malls because they have no money for lodging. The have provisions for a MEAL ONCE A DAY… and its up to the player to pay for their food and lodging for the rest of the days. She has the chess skill at an expert level and with proper training and support can rise to master strenght. Bea Mendoza REPRESENTED the Philippines in international competitions WITHOUT A SINGLE SPONSOR. She previously represented the Philippines in the under 12 ASEAN Age Group in Iran and under 14 ASEAN Group in Thailand where she won GOLD.
Hi! Susan please do tell Wesley to perform well on his two upcoming competitions, the National Open (Las Vegas Chess Festival) and 9th Edmonton International. All eyes (including the haters and the NCFP guys) will be watching how he performs. Every lost will sent them rejoicing. They will definitely be “praying” that Wesley will lose. I hope Wesley will play with the same focus, precision, seriousness and a will to play for a win (and not be conteded to just draw). He is a high level player now, every draw will hurt him. Moreso every loss. The only way for him is to always try to win especially when faired against low rated players. Play for a win, play with focus and precision and play with creativity regardless if your opponents rating or rank – TREAT THEM ALL THE SAME, EVERY GAME IS A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. Good luck and God Bless GM Wesley So and elite coach Susan Polgar.
Latest news from NCFP. Due to impending absence of Philippines top chess players in Tromso due to switching of federations, the country’s chess body has decided to field Prospero Pichay in the upcoming Chess Olympiad in Tromso.
Philippines Biggest & Number 1 News Network, ABS- CBN sports headline June 11 2014: “Why Wesley So wants to join US Chess Federation” (www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/06/11/14/why-wesley-so-wants-join-us-chess-federation) – NCFP President Prospero Pichay’s reaction to So’s decision “he will discuss the issue with the NCFP Board when he returns to the Philippines. He is currently in Macau, China for the Asian Junior Chess Championship”. Really? or is NCFP President Pichay in Macau doing some sight-seeing and shopping with some special someone as he usually does when travelling overseas in the guise of official NCFP travel? Just curios 🙂
Latest Philippine Team to the Norway Chess Olympiad: All-knowing braggart GM Jayson Gonzales, Mr wesley so punisher/hostage-taker NCFP President Prospero Pichay, Pork Barrel Queen Napoles and torture suspect Cornejo 🙂
Leave Wesley Alone! Root of all of these is the entire corrupt government officials starting from the very top! I’ve seen players with great chess potentials for three long decades representing the country called Philippines in various major and small tournaments all over US with no or very minimal financial support. They ended up begging for their countrymen to support them with registration fees, board and lodging during these critical tournaments. Shame on the country called the Philippines! Let the officials take these chess players shoes and experience what they face. Have you seen the Philippine news headlines for more than 6 months regarding MANY high-ranking officials taking billions of people’s money??.. and they’re all still free driving their Cadillacs, Mercedes and Bimmers!
They should all start playing chess instead of going to prison!
This GM Jayson Gonzales is a very proud fellow. I’m wondering how he qualified for the his post in NCFP. This guy is totally useless. I think he was the one who engineered all the decisions not to accomodate Wesley’s request so that he can represent Philippines in Tromso
GM Wesley So has contributed already a lot of honors in his country. This is self explanatory, the kid has to grow, give him a chance to chase or fulfill his dream. Go for it Wesley this is your decision fight for it and I am sure all your fans will understand and support you for this like me. Chessplayer924
Most of the posters here who supports Wesley’s transfer are either US citizens, foreigners or Filipinos who live and work in the US and fancy themselves as American citizens. You can’t understand the sentiments of the ordinary chessplayers here who idolizes Wesley and hope that he continues to represent the Philippines and give glory to this country. We can’t buy Wesley’s loyalty but you certainly can because you are rich and have no compunction against non-Americans representing your country.
You would rather have Wesley stagnate and not reach his full potential just to satisfy you stupid ego!
Goodluck Wes, I’m one with you on your dream. Gawin mo ang alam mong tama, wag kang padadaig sa mapanirang pananlita ng ilan.
Mabuhay ka!!!
As a Filipino anyone knows this Game Chess is a success rather than Basketball and other Olympics games which been prioritized support by Philippine government open your mind Corrupted Idiot.Its a Success where the first Asian Grandmaster was titled its a Filifino GM Eugene Torre. May God granted this young talented Wesley So became World Champion one day and the Philippine Government realized what a big mistake they have done.I went to Luneta Park where Chess Plaza was held before sad to say it was Closed.Why does Rizal became our National Hero coz’ he fights with his brains not with his muscles like Andres Bonifacio.How many young Rizal’s will transfer in a new Country and betray his mother land for the reason of same old story after our Independence we have a Corrupt Politician.We need Changes in our Goverment a lot of Issue and demoralized mind of youth will end up soon that we are not still free in our homeland that we are Filipino is still prisoner with our own Corrupt Goverment.