Sports: Garong Tops 1st Bacolod Kiddies 14U Chess Open Tourney
Stevenson Garong of Bacolod City bested the other 137 chess players and was crowned champion in the 1st Bacolod Charter Day Kiddies 14 & Under Chess Open Tournament held at the MassKara Hall of the Bacolod City Government Center last Sunday. He received P3,000 cash prize plus a trophy.
Placing 2nd was Robert Arce Cabras of Cadiz and coming in 3rd was Cristy Cabungcag of Escalante City. Both received P2,000 and P1,000 in cash plus a trophy, respectively.
Cabungcag was also acknowledged as the Top Female Performer of the tournament.
Rounding up the top 10 winners were Erl Eulette Martinez, Gemmuel Claro, Edgar Escobar Jr., Valerio Mangubat, Alson Vincent Lim, John Lloyd Bautista, and Kenan Anoran. They received a consolation prize of P500 each.
During the opening ceremony, Bacolod City Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson graced the occassion and encouraged the kids to continue playing the game of chess.
Meanwhile, special awards were also given to the players who showed notable performances in their age bracket. The top Kiddie Performancers were Mangubat - 12 years old, Keneth Allen Ballo-Allo - 10 yrs old, Tyrone Dale Yao - 8 yrs old, and Klynth Thomas Dichosa - 6 yrs old. Youngest Player Awards: Einre Mar Abanco (Boys) and Kerstein Joyce Tia (Girls).
Bacolod Councilor Em Ang handed over the awards to the major, special awards, and raffle prizes. She likewise encouraged the kids and showed support in future chess events such as this competition.
This sporting activity is under the committee of councilor Ang in collaboration with Bacolod Mayor Evelio "Bing" Leonardia and vice mayor Sayson. Negros Integrated Chess Association, Inc. (NICA) organized the event headed by President Tibor Espnosa in cooperation with the Bacolod City Government, Prosel Pharmaceuticals Inc., International Pharmaceuticals Inc., Twin Bee Print Ads, Negros Daily Bulletin, Amira Nicole Beauty Salon, and SCOOP-Bacolod.*
