REMEMBER these names: Aron John Pitos, Dominic Gumisad, Robert Antes, Kristina Jill Cacho, Katrina Grace Lim, Ethan delos Santos, and Grace Calunod.
After the smoke of battle cleared, these young pawnpushers went on to share the spotlight in the inaugural staging of the province-wide chess rivalry in Misamis Occidental dubbed as the “1st Masonic District Chess Tournament” held last Tuesday, April 25 at the Function Hall 1 in Tangub City.
Around 100 players from Oroquieta City, Tangub City, and Ozamiz City have participated in the highly successful Masonic chessfest sponsored by Governor Henry S. Oaminal as his strong support for the Misamis Occidental’s sports development program.
“We also organized this event to prepare our qualified chess players in Misamis Occidental for the Palarong Pampook chess competition being scheduled in May in Gingoog City,” Arena Grandmaster and incumbent DDGM of Masonic District RX Misamis Occidental Rey Urbiztondo told Gold Star Daily.
Leading the charge in the rapid contest are the little-known Pitos of Oroquieta City, Gumisad of Tangub City, and Antes of Ozamiz City who are showing great chess potential.
All three came up with a perfect five of five performance to emerge champions in the 12-under, 17-under, and Individual Open categories where Cacho of Aloran, Lim of Ozamiz, and Calunod of Tangub notched the top lady citations, respectively, alongside the Open division hostilities’ top junior delos Santos of Clarin.
The top 10 winners in each division got P3,000, P2,000, P1,000, P750, and P500 with P200 each for sixth up to 10th place and P500 apiece for the top ladies and top juniors.
They are (12-under) Aron John Pitos, Alvin Jack Bongabong, Philipp Samonte, Kristina Jill Cacho, Steven Manlangit, John Henner Alquizar, Matthew Satore, James Michael Faburada, Meghael Mondia and Reign Barsely Carriaga; (17-under) Dominic Gumisad, John Dave Oliver, Katrina Grace Lim, Rjay Brylle Iyog, Neil Cyril Austero, Jomar Anhao, Aljune Gonzales, Marry Claire Jagonia, Hanielouie Dizon and Keith Jasper Abad; (Open) Robert Antes, Mardonio Fuentes, Johnny Wellem Carzano, Ritchie Carpio, Gilbert Baba, Max Paller, Luwell Balagas, Carlo Saludsod, Ethan delos Santos and Grace Calunod.
“The tournament is considered very successful with the players wishing for another tourney. The Masonic District is committed to supporting the sports programs of the Governor with chess as its main focus,” said Urbiztondo, also a board member of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, who is planning to invite Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre for their next proposed project, which is the highly-prestigious National Chess Championships.
