SPECIAL GUEST. Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre (seated right) shakes hands with Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal Sr. during the opening ceremony of the Asenso Misamis Occidental National Open Chess at the Aya Hotel & Residences in Clarin town last July. The best players from Visayas and Mindanao will see action in the first Governor Henry Oaminal 7-in-1 Chess Festival from Nov. 10-12 at the Ozamiz City Auditorium in Misamis Occidental as part of the province's 94th founding anniversary celebration. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – The best players from Visayas and Mindanao will see action in the first Governor Henry Oaminal 7-in-1 Chess Festival from Nov. 10-12 at the Ozamiz City Auditorium in Misamis Occidental as part of the province's 94th founding anniversary celebration.
"This is the first time that the finest from Visayas will be pitted against the best from Mindanao," said Rey Cris Urbiztondo, who serves as director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and president of the Asenso Misamis Occidental Chess Association (AMOFCA).
The Visayas team is composed of IM (International Master) Rico Mascarinas, IM Joel Pimentel, IM Kim Steven Yap, FM (FIDE Master) Mario Mangubat, NM (Nationanl Master) Cyril Ortega, NM Rommel Ganzon, NM Melben Roque, NM Rogelio Enriquez, NM Rolzon Roullo, Rafael Perez, Jason Bandal, Ronald Ganzon, Michael Joseph Pagaran, Bonn Rainauld Tibod, Chris Tubalado, Jimmy Ty, Allan Pason, Richard Natividad, Diego Caparino, Daniel Bailosis and Remigio Galenzoga.
Representing Mindanao are IM Richilieu Salcedo III, FM Victor Lluch, FM Austin Jacob Literatus, FM Ellan Asuela, NM Henry Roger Lopez, NM Joey Florendo, NM Bob Jones Liwagon, NM Raymond Salcedo, Prof. Rey Reyes, Lennon Hart Salgados, Jason Salubre, Johnnel Balquin, Johnny Carzano and Tyrone Alaan.
Also competing are Wil Maghanoy, Jaime Frias, Ben Wabe, Bobby Urquia and Urbiztondo. Team result will be based on the total scores of all the players.
The chess festival also features a friendly competition between Northern Mindanao (Region 10) and The Rest of Mindanao (Region 9) in 23 boards. Northern Mindanao won their previous encounter in July last year.
Playing for Northern Mindanao are Urbiztondo, Paul Omongos, Cleto Vasquez, Benoni Wabe, Renee Goopio, Condrado Mahinay, Oliver Damonsong, journalist Lynde Salgados and Fr. Vic Arellano (executive); IM Richelieu Salcedo III, FM Ellan Asuela, FM Victor Lluch, AFM (Arena FIDE Master) Lyndon Lumancas, Lennon Hart Salgados, Johnnel Balquin, Johnny Carzano, Nazario Ubanan, Jeriel Manlimbana and Alfred Rapanot (Open); NM Mardonio Fuentes, Mario Arroyo and Clement Valledor (Senior); WNM (Woman National Master) Lila Alyssa Seriña, LJ Getubig and Lyn Getubig (Ladies); NM Keith Adriane Ilar and Cassey Miguel Tabamo (Juniors); and Nicole Paquinol and Miykael Lapad (Kiddies).
Comprising the rest of Mindanao team are Allan Diez, Melzar Galicia, NM James Infiesto, Jong Guevarra, Cliburn Anthony Orbe, NM Zulfikar Sali, AGM Rey Reyes and Rod Villa, Jr. (Executive); NM Henry Roger Lopez, NM Joey Albert Florendo, NM Paulo James Florendo, Patrick Erle Florendo, FM Austin Jacob Literatus, NM Raymond Salcedo, Jezreel Lopez, Irwin Aton, Abdulkalip Daggung and Akin Adil (Open); Reiner Suson, Quieino Sagario and Amer Tandong (Seniors); Cyreine Borce (Ladies); NM JC Borve and AGM Fletch Archer Arado (Junior); and Khana Ventolero and Aaron Aton (Kiddies). (PNA)
