BUKIDNON 1st District Congressman Jose Manuel F. Alba and Sumilao Mayor Jose Antonio A. Villo vowed to rally behind the development of local chess in the land-locked province of Bukidnon.
“Rest assured that we will make this prestigious event a regular attraction here every year,” declared the two chess-loving politicians to the thundering applause of around 240 participants in the 1st District Rep. Jose Manuel ‘Joeman’ Alba Fide Rated Chess Cup 2023.
The Bacolod-native Villo, who started as a chess player in Cagayan de Oro before he became a mayor in Sumilao, said what he learned from the game that propelled him to the first Palarong Pambansa in 1975 had significantly contributed to what he accomplished in business and politics.
“Chess is a great tool for total human development that’s why kon naa ta’y blessing sa taas ibalik pud nato sa chess para sa mga bata,” Villo later told Gold Star Daily on yesterday’s opening of the cash-rich event at the New Bldg. of Sumilao Municipal Hall.
He thanked the Golden Chess Friends’ founding head Benoni Wabe for bringing the eighth edition of the GCF’s FIDE-rated tourney in Bukidnon as well as the local governments of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Talakag, Maramag, Valencia, and Malaybalay City for supporting the campaign of their respective homegrown talents.
Balingoan alone provided a coaster vehicle for its 40-person contingent.
“Ga-excel among mga bata sa Balingoan, so gusto ni Mayor Aaron Unabia nga ma-sustain ang momentum,” said DepEd national chess arbiter Alberto Vera Cruz.
Around P50,000 in total cash prizes, trophies, and medals are at stake in the day-long chessfest which has three categories for elementary, high school, and combined College and Open.
