Ruel Hortelano (left) makes a move against Edwin Cablao (right) in the Cepca “Battle of Champions” last Sunday at the Handuraw Pizza Gorordo branch. Watching them in the background are (standing, partly hidden) Cepca president Jerry Maratas and former president Jun Olis. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Noted Cebuano woodpusher Felix Balbona passes while playing in Cepca Grand Finals
Until his final breath, Felix Balbona was doing what he loved best—playing chess.
The 56-year-old was in the middle of a game in the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (Cepca) Grand Finals at the Handuraw Pizza Gorordo branch last Sunday when he suffered a heart attack and later passed away in a nearby hospital.
Balbona, one of Cebu’s chess worthies, was playing against Jun Kidlat in the third-round action in Group B.
Kidlat said he noticed Balbona having difficulty in breathing in the middle of their game. Things got more unusual, according to Kidlat, when Balbona put a pawn beside his rook, which he found very strange.
Sensing his opponent was not his usual self, Kidlat decided to end their match and immediately called the attention of their fellow Cepcans who were also competing in the tournament which pit winners of the monthly tournaments held throughout the year.
Balbona’s wife, Juliet, and the rest of his family who were with him came to his aid and rushed him to Perpetual Succour Hospital just a few hundred meters away from the venue. However, he was declared dead on arrival.
Balbona and his daughter, Jessa, were among the qualifiers of the yearend ‘Battle of Champions.’ They both were bracketed in group B along with Kidlat, Regelito Hortelano, Ruel Hortelano, Elmer Odango, Jerry Maratas, Mike Tinga, Jojo Paredes, Michael Ventulan, Edwin Cablao and Romy Pialan.
It was indeed a tragic day for the Cepcans as they lost not only a dear friend and a die-hard member, but also one of the ardent supporters of their breakthrough event. The tournament last Sunday was held in line with the celebration of the Club’s 25th anniversary. A highlight of the celebration was the formal launching of Cepca’s Silver Anniversary commemorative magazine.
“I am deeply saddened by his sudden passing,” said Cepca President Jerry B. Maratas. “He was a pure chess lover.
Even in his last breath, he was playing the sport that he really loved. But more than that, he was such a good and humble family man. He is a great loss to Cepca. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his bereaved family.”
Balbona was an iconic figure in Cebu chess. Aside from being a regular fixture in almost all big events in Cebu chess, Balbona raised all his children—Jessa, Felix Shaun, Marq Gabriel and Jhon Francis—to be chess-lovers and winners like him.
“He was just playing the game he cherished and loved most, when suddenly death appeared uninvited and in a most shocking fashion, struck with blinding swiftness. Just like a thief in the night, catching everyone unaware and unprepared,” said former two-time CEPCA President Jun Olis. “We have lost one of the club’s pillars of strength – a kind, generous, unassuming and dedicated family man. You will always be remembered.”
Balbona’s remains lie in state at the Saint Peter’s Memorial Chapel along Imus Road in Cebu City.