SPICE Boy GM So

Remember the seven-member group of congressmen Estrada called as the "Bright Boys"? They were openly critical of then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada and they played a key role in the removal of Estrada in Malacanan in 2001.

The group consisted of the following:

• Rolando Andaya, Jr. – 1st District, Camarines Sur
• Robert Ace Barbers – 2nd District, Surigao del Norte
• Michael Defensor – 3rd District, Quezon City
• Hernani Braganza – 1st District, Pangasinan
• Federico Sandoval II – Navotas-Malabon
• Juan Miguel Zubiri – 3rd District, Bukidnon

And in Philippine chess, GM Wesley So has become a SPICE Boy. This was confirmed by no other than GM Susan Polgar when I asked her about the rumored move of Wesley to the US of A for college education via Twitter:

"@brownmandiary Wesley So applied and has been accepted to Webster University. He will join 7 other GMs at Webster SPICE in August 2012.
— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) February 21, 2012"

This is the best move Wesley So has made in his entire life and I congratulate him for doing so. Although I've never been a big fan of the global education system that is in place, no thanks to the industrialization, I still believe getting a college degree will give him the confidence and good self-image in the end.

Don't go Iskul Bukol Wesley! Make the best of what is given to you and remember, your generation will be looking up to you for inspiration and as a role-model. The next few years will hopefully make you a stronger, willful and better person outside of chess.

A SPICE Boy he is!