A GOOD man with good intentions can only do better for more in the name of love and sustainable development.
“It is a tiring but inspiring journey. And I’m not complaining, but yet aspire to do more. Yes, you gonna stop sometimes until you start doing it again,” said local chess icon, Rey Urbiztondo after his latest accomplishment outside the 64-square-board.
Fresh from receiving the Honorary Chess Master accolade from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Urbiztondo and his minion followers were elated after the top chess promoter in Mindanao was recently ascended as District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District RX in Misamis Occidental.
The Masonic rites honored the Very Worshipful Urbiztondo in the company of Most Worshipful Johnny T. Pimentel, Deputy Speaker and Congressman of Surigao del Sur, who ascended as the 110th Grand Master of Masons of the Philippines after PGM Rollen Paulino, SBMA Chairman and former Mayor of Olongapo City.
“My commitment to (serving) well in our district as Deputy Grand Master will also gravitate in the chess community to which my passion belongs as a chess player since time immemorial. Masonic life and chess can get along with there's no problem with that it is an advantage to sports development,” Urbiztondo told Gold Star Daily.
The District RX Misamis Occidental has five lodges (chapters) with two in Ozamiz City, recognizing the Mt Malindang Masonic Lodge 130, Timoteo S. Uy Masonic Lodge No. 349, Gregorio O. Calit Lodge 154, Oroquieta; Palilan Lodge 239, Jimenez and DLT Masonic Lodge 265 in Tangub City.
The District Grand Lecturers for masonic year 2022-2023 are VW Raymond H. Pintacasi of Ozamiz, Mario Cesar R. Villa of Oroquieta, and Regin P. Magana of Palilan.
As team owner of the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in PCAP and Surigao Diamond Knights in PCL, Urbiztondo is also a recipient of the following chess awards: 1. Most Sportsmanship Awardee of PCAP for the inaugural year. 2. Arena Grand Master, awarded by FIDE. Also, passed and awarded by FIDE at the Arbiters' seminar. 3. Honorary National Master by NCFP.
Presently, Urbiztondo has been actively participating in chess management, organizing, and as a playing coach of the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines and Surigao Diamond Knights in the Philippine Chess League.
