Goodbye to a good friend

OUR talented journalist and chess player KC Morala sent in this report about the Palarong Pambansa.


The Cviraa chess team brought home not one but three team trophies and three medals in one of the most exciting events of the year, the 2011 Palarong Pambansa in Dapitan City just recently.



The team was composed of eight players, all from Cebu-- Allan Pason and Felix Shaun Balbona in the secondary boys, Roxanne Tampus and Keith Claire Carlisle Morala for the secondary girls, Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano and John Francis Balbona for the elementary boys and Vic Glysen Derotas and Honey Mae Panonce for the elementary girls.


Pason made an extravagant performance after finishing as silver medalist with 5.5 points, losing only to NMRAA. F.S. Balbona got 4.5 points, and, with their victories combined, they placed third overall.


Both Sevillano and J.F. Balbona lost to NCR, which placed first, and the two grade school players made up for it by seizing second place in their category.


Though Morala was defeated by Cavraa in her first round, she did well in her next six rounds, even though she lost to IRAA. Tampus was also doing good in her first two rounds, unfortunately, her last five rounds were not in her favor.


Third-grade Derotas and Panonce also did well in their category, placing third, while Panonce won the silver in the individual standing.


SRP Open. FM Anthony Makinano staged his own unique comeback in the SRP Chess Open for this year’s Cebu Sports Festival held at the South Road Properties, from May 20 to 22, 2011.


As players from different the sports in the Cebu Sports Festival arrived at their respective venues, there was excitement among the 100 participating youngsters and veterans as they waited for the chess tournament to be officially open.


The event began with a seven-round tourney to determine the top 16, the next round of games, which will follow the knockout format.


FM Makinano, who was already seeded to the final rounds of the top 16 with IM Kim Steven Yap for being highest rated persons present in Cebu, won the title after defeating NM Merben Roque in the finals.


The FIDE Master didn’t get the chance to face IM Yap as the latter was whitewashed by Rommel Ganzon on the quarterfinals.


Meanwhile, in the Kiddies Category, Felix Shaun Balbona and Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano tied for first and second places with five points apiece, with Allan Pason as the solo third placer. Those who had four points were Aldritz Pondoyo, Jeffu Dorog, Christian Pondoyo, Adrian Basiligo and Duane Borgonia.


On the other hand, Airene Robillos was the solo first placer with 4.5 pts, while Quennie Cablao and Jessa Balbona shared the 2nd and 3rd places in the Ladies Category.


Hazel Sato and KC Morala were the fourth placers.


GERRY OUANO. One of the most active member of Cepca passed away recently, at the age of 46. It was a big surprise to us as a few days earlier, we were having the time of our lives celebrating Dante Arguelles birthday.


Being a civil engineer and a successful contractor, Gerry was always there with a helping hand in all our big projects.


His loving wife Evelyn and chess-playing children, Kryztelle Kaytte and Donn Gerard, will miss him.


His parents are Eulogio and Estrella Ouano. Brothers are Davy and Joel and sisters are Cherry, Annette, Rowena and Rosemarie.


Interment will be on May 29 at Grosmar Memorial Park in Mandaue City after the 1 p.m. Requiem mass at San Isidro Parish in Talisay City.


(boypestano@gmail.com,www.chessmoso.blogspot.com)


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on May 27, 2011.