Apolonio “Jun” Olis Jr., one of Cepca’s members and officials, has passed away at the age of 67. | Contributed photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Cebu’s premier and longest-running chess group, the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (Cepca), mourned the passing of its known member and official, Apolonio “Jun” C. Olis, Jr.
Olis, 67, passed away on October 8, 2023.
READ: NM Enriquez rules Gealon Chess
Great loss to chess community in Cebu
Cepca president, Jerry Maratas, expressed his grief of losing a ‘passionate’ man who was behind Cepca’s tournaments for over 30 years.
“Jun’s passing is a great loss not just to his beloved family but also to Cepca and the entire chess community in Cebu,” Maratas said in a statement.
“He was the one behind our Cepca tournaments and his passion and dedication to chess have greatly contributed to chess development in Cebu. His passing has left an irreplaceable void in our Cepca family. My thoughts and prayers are with his family in this time of grief. So long my friend Jun!,” said Maratas.
READ: National Master Romel Ganzon rules CEPCA Summer Open Chess Tournament
The late Apolonio “Jun” Olis Jr., one of the members and officials of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association, was one of the chess group’s officials who was behind the chess group’s tournaments. | Contributed photo
One of Cepca’s first members
Olis, a native of Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, was one of Cepca’s first members after it was established in 1990 by the late late Boy Pestaño, Art Ynclino and Alex Tolentino.
He rose to the ranks of the Cebu chess group and became its president in 2005. Olis continued serving Cepca as a hardworking organizer of its local and national tournaments, helping pave the way for the chess group to establish a recognizable name in the sport.
READ:Chess icon Karpov recalls epic match in Baguio
Online tournaments, Pisay chess tournament
In his last few years, Olis and Maratas initiated various tournaments, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, including online tournaments to keep their members and Cebu’s chess community active.
Before his untimely passing, Olis successfully helped organize the inaugural Pisay Alumni Open Chess Tournament of US-based National Master Susan V. Itaas.
Olis also helped organize the 1st Councilor Rey Gealon Open Chess Tournament in partnership with Cepca last month.