ONCE listed as the most hated city by the Philippine government during the time of Rodrigo R. Duterte, the country's so-called erstwhile drugs capital has dramatically transformed into the most beloved trade place of the magical pieces, friendship, and camaraderie by the leading Filipino chess players.
Thanks to the annually-held Governor Henry S. Oaminal Open Chess Tournament jointly hosted by the now vibrant City of Ozamiz and the province of Misamis Occidental, main organizer Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo said the cash-rich event is now an institution to be regularly featured in every charter anniversary of Ozamiz City and the 95th provincial anniversary of Asenso Misamis Occidental.
"The Ozamiz LGU is now taking full responsibility in organizing the Governor Oaminal-backed chessfest. It's now officially part of the annual festivity of Ozamiz City, though I'm still around to act as its chess consultant," said the banking expert Urbiztondo, formerly with Metrobank and now with the Development Bank of the Philippines, who is also certified as an honorary National Master by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.
The most-sought-after chess competition in the country today, thanks to its every year surprise in doubling, and even tripling the cash prizes apart from giving a P3,000 bonus to all registered participants, will be held this time at the Asenso Misamis Occidental Sports and Cultural Center, Capitol Complex in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental on November 4-5.
It has been temporarily scheduled earlier at the Asenso Global Gardens, Hoyohoy, Tangub City, Misamis Occidental.
"Pero nausab ang venue to assure the participants of more convenient and available sleeping quarters to stay and easy access for transportation," Urbiztondo said.
The now Fide-Rated Oaminal chessfest debuted on July 8-9, 2023 with International Master Joel Pimentel dominating what was dubbed then as "Asenso Misamis Occidental National Open Chess Tournament" at the Aya Hotel and Residences in Clarin, Misamis Occidental.
It formally launched the 1st Governor Henry S. Oaminal 8-in-1 Chess Team Festival on November 10-12, 2023 at the City Auditorium of Ozamiz City with Ellan Asuela, the Cagayan de Oro-based Ilonggo Fide Master, earning the biggest chunk of the P1-million cash prizes when he ruled the individual rapid and anchored the MindMovers.ph CC team, alongside Cagayan de Oro’s David Rey Ancheta and Roberto Pablito Salomon Jr, in winning the "tatluhan" team championship.
International Master Richelieu Salcedo III of the Philippine Air Force went on to top the blitz showdown in Ozamiz City. And back at the AYA Hotel and Residences in the nearby municipality of Clarin, Olympiad-bound Grandmaster-Elect Daniel Quizon competed for the first time in the Northern Mindanao area and did not disappoint.
The 19-year-old Quizon conquered the 2nd Gov. Henry Oaminal Open Rapid Chess Tournament on July 9-10, 2024, at the expense of the country's grizzled GMs Rogelio Antonio Jr. and Darwin Laylo and a bunch of IM, FM, and National Master rivals to show that he's now the face of Philippine chess.
And there could not be happier than the political dynasty of Oaminals in this northern side of Mindanao, which gamely welcomed chess as Misamis Occidental's primary choice for sports development.
"Me and my father both play the game we love most, and we're so proud and happy that the Governor Oaminal Chess Open became one of the major stops of the young Quizon on his way to the crowning chess glory," said incumbent Ozamiz City Mayor, lawyer Henry “Indy” F. Oaminal Jr. of Quizon who breached the 2500-rating plateau during the recent World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary to become the country's newest Grandmaster
And the good news?
Urbiztondo said GM Quizon has already registered to defend his throne in the third episode of the Oaminals-bankrolled chess tilt in November.
