An Introduction
By: Carlo Francisco Adajar

While this is not the point of the article, I would like to begin by thanking the MTG Philippines for helping kids all over the country to hone their skills and maximize their God-given talents, allowing them to make themselves and their country proud. I would also like to thank them for all the experiences, that one day, when I am old, white-haired (if I have any left), and wrinkly (hopefully not), I would look back and be appreciative of these experiences which helped form my childhood. Lastly, I would like to thank the institution for the lessons in life, sometimes learned the hard way through humiliating experiences, which I wish not to relate to the readers. The only clue that I could give is that one incident involved a malfunctioning toilet and a flashflood. The rest of what happened is up to you to figure out.

My apologies to all you impatient or busy readers, but if you feel you haven’t got the time to read my novel-length product of a fervent desire to write on a fear of small words, you might as well surf onto other shores, as you are on the wrong site. An eviction notice will be mailed to you if you apply for one. However, if you think that there is a diamond in all this coal that my pencil is churning out (Editor’s note: it’s graphite), then congratulations! Good things come to those who wait.

As an angry crowd of riotous men and women surround me, I am compelled to quench their thirst for the information they came to seek; and so I begin my tale. I, like thousands of students around the country, underwent intensive training with hopes of unleashing an inner God-given talent as well as attaining mathematical excellence. The offer of sending me abroad to represent the Philippines was enticing, though it was neither the glory nor the vacation I sought. I sought experiences and I got more than what I bargained for. Even though I had some difficulty using the chopsticks in Hong Kong, and I had some nasty encounters with the foreigners, it was all worth it. After each trip, I came home with a sense of fulfillment and being a better person. I also had more tales to tell.

If you were able to get here without suffering from a migraine, you are exceptional. Your reward shall be my next column, which might contain valuable tips for those who aspire to represent our country abroad. But, if right now, you are suffering from the aforementioned ailment, a nervous breakdown, blurred vision, or insanity due to this article, I am taking no responsibility for such results and would like to wish you a good day.



Carlo Francisco Adajar, or Paco as he is more commonly reffered to, is a grade 7 student from Southridge School. He has represented the Philippines in four international competitions and has dreams of taking over the world.