Typhoon Ondoy aftermath (Perez st. Malabon City)

Pictures were taken Sunday morning.

Chest deep water flood. Two Mario`s goes to Market. Thanks to them we had our foods.

Our neighbor holding unto my tito Arnel`s pedicab as she is being transferred from the chapel going to our house (left). The pedicab was fully submerged into water.Relief goods from some concerned citizen. They were from DZRH but not enough goods were distribute, they were only around 30 bags of goods with some clothings.The chapel underwater. Some residents in our place tried to use the chapel as shelter but come midnight water was already around 7ft deep and they were forced to climb at the rooftop.The chapel, our small plaza and our neighbors after the typhoon. Picture taken Monday afternoon.

Thanks God! it is over...

And thanks so much that friday night we went home to Malabon else we will have a hard time finding a place to sleep in our father`s place in Singalong Manila. At least in Malabon we still find shelter in house second floor. Our appliances were all soaked into flood water. Our refrigerator, sofa set, gas range, computer, my lolo`s bed and things left in the kitchen were all underwater even if they were already been put on top of some chairs. Still the flood unexpectedly rises so high and so fast. It was waist deep inside our house and goes beyond 7ft outside of our house.

Back in Singalong, some of my chess books and many of my materials were all soaked into water and cannot be use anymore. My books in school and some of our clothes and shoes were not saved at once. Our bed were no longer repairable and need replacement because it already collapses. = (

At least no one in the family got hurt and we still able to help others inspite of material damaged. We also need help for repairs of our appliances and need to find time and money to buy computer and then gather all those chess resources again. And many of our kababayans who are less fortunate and who suffers more needs your help.


I would like to use this opportunity to encourage my readers to help the victims of typhoon Ondoy (international code name: Ketsana).

You may send your donations for the flood victims in Manila via PayPal to foundation@abs-cbni.com.

ABS-CBN SAGIP KAPAMILYA 413-2667 / 416-0387 No 13 Examiner Street, Quezon City and/or Sct Bayoran near Hotel Rembrandt and beside Alex III.

Please help our kababayans.

1st Pineda-Santos-Camer Three Division Rapid Chess Tournament

Last Sunday, September 13, 2009, RMHS, the alma mater of Asia`s First GM Eugene Torre was the venue of the 1st Pineda-Santos-Camer Three Division Rapid Chess Tournament. NM Marlon Bernardino is the main man organizer of the said event and it was attended by 229 participants (112 non-master, 86 kiddies and 31 womens players). GM Torre was the event guest speaker and Quezon City councilor’s Bayani Hipol, Vincent Belmonte and Edcel Lagman led the opening rites.

I joined the kiddies category and started my Round 1 in Board 30. I was paired with Gino Divino Cabual and Malcolm Kwok and won the games. I was paired also with Jeremiah Alfonso who settled for 1st runner with 6.5 games and that missing half point was because of our game which ended in a draw.

Board 2 in Round 5, Board 3 in Round 6 and finally climbed to Board 1 in Round 7 with Mc Dominique Lagula. Me having 5.1/2 points and Lagula with 6 points in the final round. It was a difficult game, with 15-15 minutes time and with lots of watchful eyes around us. I always got into panic time with this kind of atmosphere. I should learn to take control of the situation when i got into the same scenario again. I lost in the final round and my flag got down. But I already am a champion, my mother said, even if I lost in the final round.

Noteable happenings:
- Placed fourth runner up in the 14-Under Division and top school player from Adamson.
- Played in Board 1 in the final round.
- With only 1 loss because of under time control in the final round with FEU`s sophomore chess varsity Mc Dominique Lagula, Shell top finalist in Cagayan leg;
- and a draw game with another FEU`s chess varsity Jeremiah Alfonso also a Shell top finalist in NCR leg.
- beat Paul Robert Evangelista, another FEU varsity chess player.

Really, in chess games height or age does not matter.

Final ranking after round 7 (Kiddies Division)
Champion and runner-ups only

Rank Name Pts Bh
1 Lagula, Mc Dominique 7 31 Champion
2 Alfonso, Jeremiah 6.5 28.5 1st runner up
3 Barcelon, Byan 6 36 2nd runner up
4 Ruaya, Virgen Gil 6 33.5 3rd runner up
5 Samantila, Daryl Unix 5.5 35 4th runner up
6 Mejia, Giovanni 5.5 27.5 5th runner up
7 Cerrado, Jo Nikka 5 32 6th runner up
8 Javier, Collins 5 31 7th runner up
9 Cobsilen, Clifford 5 31 8th runner up
10 Paguagan, Nico Adriel 5 30 9th runner up
11 Alcantara, Michael 5 29 10th runner up

Thanks Kuya Marlon for the beautiful trophy. I should have 2, 1 for being the top Adamson player and for being the 4th runner up but instead I only got 1. But I think I got to received the tallest amongst the trophies and it came from Q.C. Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista.

So close Part 2, i thought... but this is on a higher category already. More practice and more studies, someday I can finally perfect it.

Pictures from 1st MMLDC Chess Cup

Photos courtesy of Des Catolos. Be a follower of his blog http://chessheroes.blogspot.com
The Areva Pavilion, cozy dining area/restaurant turned into chess playing area.

Tanay Chess Club players with ChessHeroes blog site owner Kuya Des Catolos with Mrs. Sally Bersamina, Paulo Bermina, me and wife of Mr. Rolly Sol Cruz.

Most promising Paulo Bersamina.

Thank you kuya Des for the laptop and looking after us (Me, Paulo and Karen) while our mother are away for a moment.

Thank you also for the special treatement the event organizers have extended to us, specially to Mr. and Mrs. Rolly Sol Cruz of the Meralco Chess Club. May God continue to bless you.

1ST MMLDC CHESS CUP (14-UNDER KIDDIES) - Top 10 under category winner

Meralco Management Leadership and Development Center (MMLDC)

Since we didn`t bring any digital camera, I just grabbed a photo of the venue for the 1st MMLDC Chess Cup (14-under kiddies). (Hopefully, we got pictures from other bloggers ;) ). Before the game, me and my mother went to the Aviary. It was such a nice place. The playing venue was at the Areva Pavilion, a cozy dining area/restaurant in the center. It was raining but it made the place more relaxing.

I did not get the top prize, my friend Paulo Bersamina is the event`s grand champion. After the 7-round game, top 4 player go through a cross-over game. Congratulations Paulo!

I am the event`s top 10 year old category winner.

My fellow Adamsonian Jean-Karen Enriquez placed 7th. She and Paulo are paired in Board 1 in the 7th round but Paulo won over Karen.

Just got some concern about the event. Noticed two things that players should consciously follow. First is the age-limit in the tournament and second follow NCAA or UAAP rules. I had an opponent who actually played in the 16-under age category in the very recent 2nd national age group. Then I had an opponent that belongs to a collegiate school and they (varsity chess players) are not allowed from participating in any chess tournament since NCAA is on-going. It is not because I lost in those games and I am sour-graping. It has other reasons, we have the means ... for others to know and remind of chess etiquette. We don`t agree and we found the reason very funny... junior varsity player aged 15 or 16 joined a kiddie event for 'a practice'. And when he is up there in the upper rank, he is waiting if he will hear or receive protests. Some of them did not make it to the top 10... well somehow evil means don`t win.

What happened now to those kids they just kicked before? Those eligible kids should be given a fair fight. They ruin the momentum of the kids. Don`t mingle with the kids anymore. If you want practice join the Non-master events not the kiddies. And paging coaches .... and .... , try to monitor your players please.

=======================================

Free registration and free pm merienda was served.

Total registered participants: 120
Total playing participants: 95

With participants from: Meralco Chess Club, Lores Chess Club, National University, Marikina Chess Club / Federation, San Isidro Natl HS, Ateneo, St. John`s Worth Mont., Ramon Magsaysay HS, Pagasa Elem School, Sumulong Elem Sch, Angono Chess Club, Caritas Don Bosco Chess Club, La Salle Cainta, Tanay Chess Club and Adamson University.

So Close...

(updated, with the whole story behind)

So close to be in. But it was like a sudden death when I lost in my last round. Draws from De Leon and Sevillano and a big win from Lemi, I reached Board 1. But lost my tempo during that last round with Morado. So that will mean mmore practice.. more practice ... more practice and more studies... more studies .

Round 1 on Board 5, Jhonel Legaspi (w) vs Me (b). It was an amazing game, I sacrificed my queen to have a smoother mate.

Round 2 on on Board 4, Me (w) vs Jhoemar Mendiogari (b). I got more space to cramp the position of my opponent and able to capture his queen to a trap.

Round 3 on Board 2, Me (w) vs. Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano (b). Our game ended in a draw. I did not see the wining combination. I have 1 rook , bishop and knight with a good position advantage and a perpetual check while Sevillano has a queen and a perpectual check also. Sevillano is the champion in the 2009 1st National Age Group which was held at Kalibo Aklan and representative to the last Asean Age Group.

Round 4 on Board 2, Heince Patrick De Leon (w) and Me (b) . I drew the game with De Leon, a very close game, I am almost losing but able to return again.

Round 5 on Board 3, Me (w) vs Daniel John Lemi (b), a big win which put me on board 1.

Round 6 I am already on board 1 and it was against Donguines, a much awaited moment for me. John Fleer Donguines, Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano, Jeth Romy Morado are the best in the batch of `Boys 8-under` that I had to play with when I first joined the 2007 National Age Group Chess Tournament. And only after two years that I been paired with John Fleer. You only measure your strength if you bested the much stronger player.

But you can only play once, no rewind. Of course many people got disappointed especially my parents. They wanted me to stop it, well maybe it was just an outburst of frustration. I wanted very much to continue my chess. I hope I can get a sponsor to support my training.

2nd Placer Silver medalist - 2nd 2009 National Age Group Chess Tournament

Awarding ceremony with GM Jayson Gonzales, GM John Paul Gomez, SPEM/Barley president Michael Vargas.

My profile

Starting Rank = No. 5

Final Rank after Round 7 = No. 2

Turqueza, Docena, Datu, Bernales share chess limelight

(Lifted from Journal Online September 1, 2009 Sports section)

MARI Joseph Turqueza, Jedara Docena, Alcon John Datu and Christy Lamiel Bernales shared the limelight at the close of the 2009 National Age-Group chess championships at the Victory Central Mall in Monumento, Caloocan City.

Turqueza, a BS Legal Management student of De la Salle-Taft, outduelled defending champion Scheider Nebato in the seventh and final round to capture top honors in the centerpiece boys 18 years old and under category.

The 16-year-old Turqueza, a mainstay of the fajmed V. Luna Chess Club, finished in a two-way tie for first place with Nebato with 5.5 points but clinched the title by virtue of higher tiebreak scorei in this three-day tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in cooperation with the Victory Central Mall.

“I'm very happy to win the tournament. It's a tremendous boost to my morale for my next big tournament,” said Turqueza, who earned a wildcard berth to the grand finals of the Asian Indoor Games qualifying tournament following the witihdrawal of GM John Paul Gomez.

Nebato, who topped the previous tournament, held in Kalibo, Aklan last April, settled for runner-up honors.

Turueza and Nebato, however, earned P4,000 each.

Ali Guya and Sherwin Tiu shared third to fourth places with five points.

Docena, a member of the multi-ttiled FEU team under GM Jayson Gonzales, finished with six points for solo first place n the girls 18 and under class.

Docena finished , one and a half points ahead of four players – Hiezel Coraje, Marvee Exconde, Charmaine Casimina and Jessa Marie Balbona.

Equally impressive were Datu and Bernales, who topped the boys and girls 16 years old and under divisions over highly-rated rivals.

Datu finished with 6.5 points, a full point ahead of NM Haridas Pascua and two points clear of Steven James Dacanay and Jesse Abucejo in the 20-player field.

Bernales, a protege of Nueva Ecijia Gov. Aurelio Umali, finished in a three-way tie for first place with top seed Cheradee Chardine Camacho and Jan Jodilyn Fronda with similar scores of four points but clinched top honors by virtue of higher tiebreak scores.

A veteran of the Dresden Olympiad, Bernales finished with 15 tiebreak points against Camacho's 12 points and Fronda's 10.5.

Las Vegas Chess Festival champion Stephen Rome Pangilinan also made his presence felt by rulin g the boys 8 and under category with a perfect score of seven points.

Pangilinan, one of three Milo-Checkmate students who competed in the prestigious Las Vegas tournament last June, finished two full points ahead of Dennis Gutierrez III, Julius Gonzales and Joshua Navarro in the 18-player field.

Pangilinan capped his campaign with a decisive final-round victory over Dennis Gutierrez Jr.

The other winners:

Boys 14 under – John Emmanuel Garcia, 7 points; Vince Angelo Medina, 5.5; Jeremiah Alfonso, Dave Patrick Dulay, Prince Mark Auino, 5; Jose Carlo Castro, John Ray Batucan, Dominue Lagula 4.5.

Boys 12 under – Paulo Bersamina, 6.5 points; Austin Jacob Literatus, 5.5; Jerad Docena, Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar, 5; Felix Shaun Balbona, John Tristan Palacio, Carlo Caranyagan, Mervince Yanzon, 4.5.

Boys 10 under – Jeth Romy Morado, 5.5 points; Daryl Samantila, John Fleer Donguines, Renz Kyle Sevillano, 5; Haince Patrick de Leon, Romulo Curiosa, Jhoemar Mendiogarin, 4.5.

Girls 14 under – Jean Karen Enriquez 5.5; Bernadette Galas, Arvie Lozano,Janelle Frayna 5; Brena Mae Membrere, Cherry Ann Mejia 4.5.

Girls 12 under – Mira Mirano 4; Hannah Joyce Amoncio, Ysabella Semillano 3.5; Merlene Membrere, Jemima Valdez, Mytzka Mendoza 3.

Girls 10 under – Samantha Glo Revita 6.5; Marie Antoinette San Diego, Alexis Anne Osena 5.5; Michella Felia 4.5.

Girls 8 under – Jesca Docena, Vic Glysen Derotas 4.5; Cherrylyn Donguines 3; Naomi Ramos 2.