Misamis Occidental Open

By Frank “Boy” Pestaño
Chessmoso

CHESS players from all over the country are now gathering in Oroquieta City for the Misamis Occidental National Open Tournament scheduled Nov. 20-21, which features P70,000 in prize money. The champion will win P30,000.

About 20 masters will be coming from Manila led by Grandmaster Eugene Torre and International Masters Chito Garma, Barlo Nadera and Richard Bitoon.

A crack selection of Cebuanos left yesterday composed of National Masters Leonardo Alidani, Voltaire Sevillano, Carlos Cabuenos and Cyril Ortega. Other members of the group are Harold Diano, William Retanal, Eden Diano, Adonis Buenaventura, Francisco Abugho, Irwin Ababat, Carlito Flores, Richard Natividad, Ceferino Vizco and Jobannie Tabada.

Dropping by our house last Monday on their way to Oroquieta were NM Eduardo Agagon and Jenny Mayor, a five-time RP Executive Grand Prix champion and executive director for Countryside Chess Development of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Jenny and I together with Cepca president Jun Olis discussed the possibility of a match and tournament between Cepca members and our Metro Manila counterparts early next year preferably during the Sinulog.

PHILIPPINE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE. The rejection by the POC of the chess federation’s application towards becoming a full-time member is ill-advised and is a reflection of their wrong priorities.

Chess is one sport that Filipinos can excel as shown by our performance in the last Olympiad, where we placed ahead of our Asian rivals China and Vietnam. We even performed better than powerhouse England and several other European countries.

Also, this year we had two new grandmasters, Nelson Mariano II and soon to be Super-GM Mark Paragua. What have the other sports accomplished?

They probably don’t realize that chess will be included for the first time in the 2006 Qatar Asian Games.

PEPSI CHESS TEAM TOURNAMENT. Pepsi Cola Products Phils. Inc held a chess team tournament among its employees at the Alta Vista club house in Pardo last Sunday.

Four teams participated in the tournament; namely Green Team composed of members Eric Gonzales, Bob Inocian, Harold Torregosa, Roldan Balansag; Orange Team with members Teddy Pardillo, Oliver Go, Edward Francisco, Julius Codilla; Blue Team with members Prix Fernandez, Welza Loga, Bobby Ylaya, Joseph Zamora; and White Team made up of Wenceslao Wenceslao, Quitos Ruiz, Jason Andrade and Edwin Balcita.

The champion was Green Team with 11 points followed by White with 7.5 points and third was Blue with four points.

CEPCA VS LADIES SELECTION. The much-awaited clash between selected lady varsity chess players and members of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association took place last Sunday at the Handuraw Leisure and Reading Café in Mabolo, with the older counterparts prevailing, 29-11.

The guest of honor was our Hon. Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who gave an inspirational talk. Mike himself is a good chess player although he lost a drawish game to high school standout Jenny Rose Palomo. Jenny was the Most Outstanding Athlete in the chess event in the recent Milo Little Olympics, so our Vice- Mayor has nothing to be dismayed about.

Here are the complete results: Bombi Aznar-Therese Gonzales (USJ-R), 1.5-0.5; Norway Lara-Sunshine Lacorte (USJ-R), 1-1; John Catayas-Jellyn Villarin (USJ-R), 2-0; Mer Fernandez-Sofia Balite (CNU), 2-0; Fred Sandalo-Sherllina Gumapon (UC), 1.5-0.5; Michael Rama-Jenny Rose Palomo (USJ-R), 0-1; Maggi Dionson-Jenny Rose Palomo (2nd game), 1-0; Rene Casia-Sarah Jane Letigio (USJ-R), 2-0; Gerry Tomakin-Angelie Giangan (ANS), 0.5-1.5.

Felix Balbona-Maricor Loyola (USC), 2-0; Jojo Paredes-Glaiza Garcia (USC), 2-0; Serg Borres-Ma. Theresa Letigio (ANS), 1-1; Luis Minoza-Jessa Balbona (CIC), 2-0; Fabio Abucejo-Marete Serentas (ANS), 1-1; Felix Salve-Ryldonna de los Santos (ANS), 2-0; Tony Cornejo-Bernadette Villamor (ANS), 1-1; Gian Carlo Baria-Lyndace Mentupa (UC), 0.5-1.5; Jonard Labadan-Lorie Mae Seno (UC), 2-0; Andy Aquino-Margrace Gacang (UC), 1-1; Mandy Baria-Cherille Brocoy (CIT), 2-0; Vic Nator-Jennyfer Lyn Abejan (UC), 1-1.

The event’s major sponsor was Jose Ng, former president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while the rest of the sponsors were International Pharmaceutical Industries, Bombie Aznar and Gerry Tomakin.