Psoriasis-stricken but talented girl aims to become first Filipina Grandmaster of Memory

by Eddie G. Alinea

MANILA Mary Sharmaine Dianquinay is a sickly young lady who has been suffering from skin disease called Psoriasis since she saw light 18 years ago.

Despite her illness Sharmaine, eldest of two daughters of retired Meralco employes Fernando and Marissa (the other is Kate, who herself is suffering from Hydrocephalus) wants and looked succeeding in proving to the entire world that her handicap wont deter her from excelling in what she does best in service to the community.

A chess player and a Philippine Memory Game stalwart since last year, Sharmaine dreams and in pursuit of becoming the Filipina to earn a Grandmaster Memory title.

That dream nearly shattered though after a false report declared her as womens champion in the recent Memory games Championships she took part in. The news account, written by a reporter who was not even at the site of competition, elicit negative response from Games organizer who made a sweeping accusations putting the country and the entire Philippine media in bad light.

Exploiting her talents to the hilt, despite being like a cast off to strangers, Sharmaine finished her high school in only two years entitling to the Fr. Rogelio B. Alarcon O.P. Award, the highest recognition given to a student at the Angelicum College where she finished her secondary education as a valedictorian.

Kahit na siya pinandidirihan iniiwasan na parang ketongin sa labas ng bahay, hindi na niya pinapansin. Basta tuloy ang buhay niya at patuloy niyang hangad na mag-top sa mga bagay na kaya niya, maging sa sports, at maging responsible member of out society, Mrs. Dianquinay said of her beloved daughter.

Sharmaine, listed in the Philippine Association for the Gifted at age three and a recipient of San Lorenzo Ruiz Award as a Model Student of &th Grade Batch 2007-08, now a third year Speech Pathology scholar at the University of the Philippines-Manila where she is a former member of the Sate Us Debate Circle.

Instead of sulking in a corner because her disabilities were so severe and her physical limitations so pronounced that strangers treat her as having a contagious disease, Sharmaine involved herself in sports where her exceptional talent is required.

She plays chess where physical contact is almost nil and is doing well even as she was introduced to the game of memory where after only a year of where earned a spot in the Philippine that invaded Thailand and Australia last year.

See the rest here:
Psoriasis-stricken but talented girl aims to become first Filipina Grandmaster of Memory