Commissioner Ramon “El Presidente” Fernandez of the Philippine Sports Commission with the young winners of the recently concluded National Age Group Chess Championships at the SM Seaside City Cebu. Mars G. Alison
Cebu City, Philippines – Nineteen Cebuano pawnpushers made it to the national finals after placing in the top 3 of their respective categories in the National Age Group Chess Championships Visayas leg, which came to an end Saturday night, January 5, at the SM Seaside City Cebu.
Leading the Cebuanos into the finals were those who clinched the titles in their categories. They were Renzi Kyle Sevillano (Under 20 Boys), Jerish John Velarde (U14 Boys), and Vic Glysen Derotas (U18 Girls).
Those who placed second were Chris Aldritz Pondoyo (U18 Boys), Jave Mareck Peteros (U16 Boys), John Lester Belano (U14 Boys), Jelleone Alsola (U8 Boys), Alphecca Gonzales (U16 Girls), Krisen Yochabel Marie Sanchez (U14 Girls), and Ghislaine Shane Allosada (U8 Girls).
The rest of the Cebuano pawnpushers who completed the 19 finalists from the Visayas leg were Jeffu Dorog (3rd, U20 Boys), Duane Borgonia (3rd, U18 Boys), Arje Villaron (3rd, U16 Boys), Aaron Resma (3rd, U14 Boys), Laila Nadera (3rd, U20 Girls), Hannah Misal (3rd, U16 Girls), Marian Calimbo (3rd, U16 Girls), Edelyn Vosotros (3rd, U14 Girls), and Spica Gonzales (3rd, U10 Girls).
These Visayas leg finalists will be pitted against the finalists from the Luzon and Mindanao legs.
Should they win in the finals, these Cebuano pawnpushers will represent the Philippines in international competitions.
Aside from qualifying to the finals, the top 3 finishers also received cash prizes with the champions pocketing P3,000, the first runner-up P2,000 and the second runner-up P1,500.
The national finals will be held sometime this summer after the eliminations in Luzon and Mindanao are completed. /bjo