The national age group championship in the Philippines was held in several regions outside the capital Manila to encourage children all over the country. Recently a native of Pangasinan won the championship trophy in the 2012 National Age Group and National Juniors Chess Championships at the Event Center in Tanauan, Batangas which ended 30th April 2012.

In photo, National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/ President Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales and Bayan Muna Representative Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares led the awards in the recently concluded 2012 National Age Group and National Juniors Chess Championships at the Event Center in Tanauan, Batangas on Monday, organized by Atty. Ruel V. Canobas and sponsored by SMART, PSC, POC, DepEd.

In back row (l to r) are Daniel John Lemi of Vigan, Ilocos Sur (Boys Under 12), Asia’s first IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso, Marie Antoinette San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite (Girls Under 20), Daryl Unix Samantila of Tonsuya, Malabon (Boys Under 14), National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/ President Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., Bayan Muna Representative Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares, Organizing Committee member Chito Lat of Tanauan, Batangas (representing Organizing Committee Chairman Atty. Ruel V. Canobas) and NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales.

In foreground are, from left, Vic Glysen Derotas of Cebu (Girls Under 12), Justin Mordido of Las Pinas (Boys Under 8 ) and Dennis Gutierrez III of San Fabian, Pangasinan (Boys Under 12). Not in photo are FIDE Master Haridas Pascua of Mangatarem, Pangasinan and Woman FIDE Master Jedara Docena of Antequera, Bohol, both winners in the National Juniors (for mens and womens) chess championships.

FIDE Master Haridas Pascua, a native of Mangatarem town, a BS IT Sophomore student of University of Baguio, notched the top post after beating Chester Jason Coquilla of CDO. He drew with FIDE Master Alcon John Datu of Manila in the final round to finishe with 29 points on 9 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in 12 games in the event hosted by Atty. Ruel V. Canobas and sponsored by SMART, PSC, POC and DepEd.

Pascua, the highest rated player in Pangasinan, now has five titles to his name after winning four titles in the tournaments in the province of Pangasinan organized by sportsman Juan Sison.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako kina Cong. (Butch) Pichay at Atty. (Ruel) Canobas na patuloy na sumusuporta at nagsisilbing punong abala sa mga grass roots chess development sa bansa. Kay Gov. (Amado) Espino na simula pa nuon nagsisimula ako ng chess ay tumutulong na sa akin, lokal man o internasyunal at kay G. (Juan) Sison ng Pangasinan Chess” said Pascua. (I thank Congressman Butch Pichay and Atty. Ruel Canobas for their continued support and dedication to the grassroots chess development program in the country. To Gov. Amado Espino who since I began playing chess has been helping me in both local and international event, and to Juan Sison of Pangasinan chess).

Woman FIDE Master Jedara Docena of Antequera, Bohol, on the other hand rule the distaff side by tallying 23 points, a half point ahead with runner-up and last year’s champion Janelle Mae Frayna of Legaspi City. Pascua and Docena, will both represent the country in the 2012 World Junior Chess Championships in Athens, Greece.

No less than National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/ President Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Bayan Muna Representative Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares and Organizing Committee member Chito Lat of Tanauan, Batangas (representing Organizing Committee Chairman Atty. Ruel V. Canobas) led the closing ceremonies.

In the age group categories, Stephen Rome Pangilinan of Manila and Regyne Palaming of Urdaneta, Pangasinan dominated their respective divisions. Pangilinan went home with the Boys 10 and under title with 31 points, followed by Jeremy Pepito of Cebu (26 points) and Dennis Gutierrez III of San Fabian, Pangasinan (24 points). Palaming topped the Girls 10 and under class with 39 points, five points ahead of runner-up Me Ann Joy Baclayon of MisOr and nine points ahead of 3rd placer Francois Marie Magpily of Makati.

Other winners in the event hosted by Atty. Ruel V. Canobas and organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. were Mc Dominique Lagula of Nueva Vizcaya (boys U-20), Austin Jacob Literatus of Davao (boys U-16), Daryl Unix Samantila of Tonsuya, Malabon (boys U-14), Daniel John Lemi of Vigan, Ilocos Sur (boys U-12) and Justin Mordido of Las Pinas (boys U-8), Marie Antoinette San Diego (girls U-20), Shania Mae Mendoza of Sta. Rosa (girls U-14) , Bernadette Galas of Makati (girls U-16), Vic Glysen Derotas (girls U-12) and Methusellah Ramos of Cebu (girls U-8).

Samantha Glo Revita of Rosales, Pangasinan lost to Mendoza in the tie break points for the top honors in the Girls U-14 and settled for runner-up place.-

By Marlon Bernardino, photo courtesy of Invenzor “Thoy” Mereria (NCFP official photographer)