All-GM RP squad to Asian meet

Just in case you missed this news from the newspapers, I am posting it here:

All-GM squad to Asian meet
So, Gonzales banner team
By Roy LuarcaPhilippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:10:00 12/10/2008

MANILA, Philippines—A crack all-Grandmaster squad will—for the first time—represent the Philippines when the Filipinos join the inaugural staging of the Asian Chess Club championship in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 24 to 31.

Newly minted GM John Paul Gomez and the world’s youngest GM, Wesley So—the country’s best performers in last month’s Dresden Chess Olympiad—will spearhead the star-studded Tagaytay City team that will tangle with the region’s top squads for the $20,000 top purse.

Joining the 22-year-old Gomez and the 15-year-old So in the youthful team are Mark Paragua, once the country’s highest-rated player, and the equally talented Darwin Laylo.

“This is another golden chance for me to carry the country’s colors in a prestigious event,” said Gomez, who earned his GM title by scoring a team-best 7.5 points in Dresden.

“It will entail some sacrifices because we’ll be away from our family this Christmas.”

So, who emerged as the only unbeaten Filipino in Dresden with 7.0 points, will again man the top board for the team being supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Prospero “Butch” Pichay and Tagaytay Mayor Abraham Tolentino.

The event, organized by the Al Ain Chess Club in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the UAE Chess Federation, stakes a total cash prize of $50,000. The runner-up and third placer will get $12,000 and $8,000, respectively.

Cash prizes of $5,000 for boards one to five shall be awarded based on performance rating with $500 for gold, $300 for silver and $200 for bronze medals.