The Magic: the Gathering Grand Prix schedule for next year has already been announced and so far our Iloilo team has been deciding on which event location to travel to and join. I had my personal travel plans if the budget permits and so far the target place is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the last week of October 2016. The tournament format is Standard which is favored by most of our local players.

My first step there would be to apply as a Floor Judge so I could gain my first experience of judging in a Grand Prix scale. Before, I applied for one in GP Hong Kong last August but was rejected. If this one gets rejected again, then I will be going as a player. I traveled to their previous Grand Prix before back in March 2012 and I was just short of Day 2 when I lost to a Japanese player in the last round (finished 6-3). The deck I played that time was White Black Tokens.

Another target Grand Prix destination for next year is the one that will be held in Japan. I know that it is a long shot to qualify as a Judge there but I had to take my chances. My friend Ramon is planning to play in GP Kyoto (Sealed format) in September and since he had traveled to Japan before, he is my number one guide on how to get a Japan Visa and related travel stuff. A fellow judge, Julio from Bacolod is also interested in going to one of the Japanese Grand Prix, either as a judge or a player.

A third Grand Prix for the year might be impossible but GP Taipei is also on my list if given the financial resources. It is another Standard format event and will be held on June 24-26, 2016. Tonton’s friend Deniz Wong will be my source of travel guide and information if ever.

That is about it for the Grand Prix 2016 travel plans. We are still waiting for the right Seat Sale from Cebu Pacific for the plane tickets for Kuala Lumpur. There are a lot of promos announced every week but so far it is not discounted enough. Maybe we can finally book on the early months of 2016, we will see.

Until the next post.