Dapitan City will host the Grand Finals of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines’ National Youth and Schools Chess Championships from September 16 to 23 at the Dapitan Sports and Cultural Complex, Dapitan, Zamboanga Del Norte.
The Grand Finals is the culmination of the three qualifying tournaments nationwide where about 120 participants aged 9 to 17 years old will compete under several categories in the annual activity.
Among the participants are Iana Angela Sotaridona in the girls’ under-13 and Thea Grace and Mica Claire Clar in the girls’ under-9 category. Their participation is fully supported by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.
The Grand Finals is a collaboration between the NCFP and Dapitan City Mayor Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos.
The NCFP recently held its elections with Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino yielding the post of secretary general to give way to the young blood in running the federation.
Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay was reelected president with Cavite Vice Governor Athena Tolentino getting elected as First Vice President, the only female officer of the federation.
Also elected were Second Vice President Atty. Ruel Canobas, Third Vice President Senator Manny Pacquiao, Secretary General Rep. Carlo Sandro Gonzalez, Treasurer Mayor Atty. Christian Natividad, Auditor Judge Gonzalo Mapili, Finance Chairman Luisito Ramos, Youth Development Chairman Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares, Ratings and Titles Chairman National Master Atty. Cresencio Aspiras and Directors Jose Rafael Legaspi, Gen. Jonas Silvano, Rey Urbiztondo, Binky Gaticales and Seth Frederick Jaloslos.
They will serve a term of four years.
Tolentino opted not to run to give way to the youth but supervised the elections as the federations former secretary general for 16 years and holding the same position in the International Chess Federation or FIDE for four years.
