FOR journeyman Rodney Opada, the Governor Henry Oaminal-backed chess tourney slated twice a year either in Ozamiz City or the province of Misamis Occidental, is a source of happiness to his family.
And why not?
The 39-year-old Opada took home P40,000 for emerging as the best Misamis Occidental player in the two-day 3rd Governor Henry S. Oaminal Open Chess Festival concluded on November 5 at the Asenso Misamis Occidental Sports and Cultural Center, Capitol Complex in Oroquieta City.
His biggest cash prize, however, since he picked up the “magical” pieces in 1999 was in July 2024 when he first won the “Best MisOcc” citation in the second edition of the Gov. Oaminal chessfest then held at the AYA Hotel and Residences in Clarin town.
In that event won by GM-elect and now the country’s newly-minted Grandmaster Daniel Quizon from Dasmariñas City, the intrepid warrior Opada ended up P60,000 richer.
“S’werte ko sa akong ikaduha nga na kauban sa kinabuhi diin aduna ‘mi karo’y gamay nga bata kay na inspired ko maningkamot,” Opada told Gold Star Daily.
Opada is actually based in Cagayan de Oro, but after breaking up with his former live-in partner, he went on to hook up with the petite Jean, his new inspiration from San Lorenzo Tan in Tangub City and started a family.
“Ga-uli si Rodney every weekend sa Tangub, and iya anak registered gyod nga natawo sa Tangub, busa na consider gyod siya among the MisOcc players,” explained event organizer Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo.
Gaining the accolades is certainly not a walk in the park. Opada has consistently performed well and rightly deserved the honor and monetary reward.
In Oroquieta City produced a new Open division champion in 19-year-old International Master Michael Concio Jr, Opada racked up three-straight wins over Alex Encabo, Ace Joshua Caralde, and Gemon Tolentino before holding GM Quizon to a fighting draw in the fourth round.
A sparkling victory against veteran IM Rico Mascariñas set the tone for Opada’s thrilling duel with the 13-time Philippine Open champion GM Rogelio Antonio Jr in the 6th round.
Handling the black pieces, Opada gave Antonio a good fight until he lost steam in a complicated endgame tussle. But he fought back with a nerve of steel, winning his remaining three matches to amass 7.5 points in nine rounds and finish in a tie for third to 6th place in a star-studded field that drew hundreds of participants from all over the country.
During Opada’s first exploit in Clarin where he netted seven points, Ozamiz City’s Johnny Wellem Carzano and Jefte Crebillo scored 6.5 points and six points for second and third place to receive P30,000 and P20,000, respectively, followed by Carlo Saludsod and Max Richard Pallet who settled for P6,000 apiece.
Annabella Canonigo emerged as the top female for MisOcc with P6,000 take-home
Opada’s fellow top MisOcc winners in Oroquieta are Ozamiz City’s Mardonio Fuentes and IM Angelo Young who pocketed P26,000 and P14,000 each.
Fourth-placer Gilbert Baba, also of Ozamiz, secured P10,000, while best female Raquel Suan from Sapang Dalaga brought home P6,000.
Asked of his humble beginning, Opada shared: “Year 1999 ko nakabalo movement sa pieces pero ginakulata ra ko. Ang first chess teacher nako ang kadula sa akong papa. Gitagaan ko'g chess book sa akong uyoan nga maestro which led me to finishing second in the Sibugay Open in 2003.”
