Gov. Bella Flor Angara-Castillo Cup National Open Rapid Chess Championship

After the grand standard chess tournament in Nueva Ecija (Umali Cup) which was topped by GM Mark Paragua, another money-rich tournament is up for grabs for our local talents.

And this time again, the tournament is hosted by a provincial government. It’s been a one-two punch by our provincial governments. Bravo!

Nueva Ecija then Aurora. You see the trend? Provincial governors are getting hooked to staging money-rich tournaments.

Let’s say this good trend continues. Given that we have some 80 provinces in the country, and let’s say half of this number, or only those ‘rich’ provinces, stage a tournament of their own.

Hmmnnn, good for our local talents.

But wait a minute. Don’t forget that it’s 2009 this year. And next year will be election time again. Ah, that might be the real force behind it.

I’m looking at the brighter side, though.

Here’s the details about the Aurora tournament (got it from Philstar online):

The provincial government of Aurora, in coordination with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, is holding the Gov. Bella Flor Angara-Castillo Cup National Open Rapid Chess Championship Feb. 14-15 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Capitol Bldg., Baler, Aurora.

The two-day rapid tournament, open to all NCFP members in good standing, is expected to attract top rated players not only from Manila but also from Aurora and other provinces.
It will be played under the Swiss System format, with each player given 25 minutes to finish the game. The event kicks off at 10 a.m.

Up for grabs is a total cash pot of P 127,000. The winner pockets P 30,000, second placer P 20,000, third P10,000, fourth P8,000, fifth P6,000, sixth P4,000, seventh P3,000, eighth P2,500, ninth P2,000, 10th P1,500 and 11th to 20th place P1,000 each.

Special prizes for top kiddies (14 years and below) are P5,000 for the champion, P3,000 for second, P2,000 for third, P1,500 fourth, P1,000 fifth and P500 each for sixth-10th.
The top three women, top Aurora province player and top Aurora province kiddie shall receive P2,000, P1,500 and P1,000, respectively.

Grandmasters Mark Paragua, fresh from capturing the Gov. Umali Cup title, Buenaventura Villamayor, Darwin Laylo, Jayson Gonzales and John Paul Gomez lead the early registrants.
Governor Bella Flor Angara-Castillo, NCFP president Prospero Pichay Jr., Grandmaster Eugene Torre and other Aurora province officials will be the guests of honor during the opening ceremonies to be held at 1 p.m. on Feb. 14.

Information, registration: NCFP executive director Willie Abalos at 09292266210 / 09292390644 or the secretariat (02) 3817224, 09277209260 or 09053269576 or Aurora provincial sports director Engr. Cornelio Ancheta Jr. mobile 0918-4112338.

And just in case you want to join the tournament, here are some info on how to get there:

GETTING TO AURORA
The province can be accessed from Manila via two routes, the Canili-Pantabangan road and the Baler-Bongabon Road. The former leads into the town of Maria Aurora. Some portions of the road are very steep. The latter route leads to the town of San Luis and ends in Baler. This route is more commonly used. The use of public transportation is recommended for traveling to Baler. Driving a personal vehicle to Baler may be difficult, given the long drive through rough, narrow and zigzagging mountain roads.

Sport utility vehicles are highly recommended.From time to time, the Baler-Bongabon road is inaccessible due to landslides and typhoons.Travelers are advised to contact locals, local government offices or public transportation companies which have routes to/from Aurora for information on which route is ideal to use at any given time.

Land Transportation
Manila to BalerFrom Manila, enter the North Expressway at Balintawak and exit at Sta. Rita Bulacan. From there, follow the highway leading to Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. It is advisable to stop for a snack here in preparation for a rough journey.

From Cabanatuan City Proper, follow signs leading to Bongabon until you come to a fork, where you see a sign "to Baler" headed right. Turn right and you will reach the foot of the Baler-Bongabon highway which eventually runs right into Aurora National Memorial Park.

Beware of wild zigzagging roads, fast trucks and landslides during rainy season. Use this opportunity to view the lush virgin forests of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. After approximately 150 kilometers, you will see the Aurora Welcome Arch. Proceed until you reach the town of San Luis. Stay on the highway until you see the sign going to Baler, and you will be in its town proper within minutes.

Genesis Transport Bus provides the only direct route to Baler from Metro Manila. One way fare costs PhP341. Its terminal is located along EDSA in Pasay City. You may call +63 (2) 551-0842 or +63 (2) 853-3115 for inquiries.

There are Pantranco North buses that go on daily trips from Manila to Cabanatuan, and sometimes also goes through to Baler. Take a bus marked Aparri, Ilagan, San Jose or Tuguegarao. The trip takes about two and a half hours. Travelers from the north will have to change buses at Cabanatuan.

Alternatively, take a Baliwag Transit bus from the terminal at Cubao, Quezon City, which goes to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. From there, go to the Sierra Madre Transit or Pantranco terminals and take a bus heading for Baler. The last bus leaves at 3:00 p.m. Jeepney rides are also available. On the return trip, take the Genesis Sierra Madre and Pantranco buses from Baler Poblacion.

Manila to DingalanTake a bus from Manila to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. Once there, find the terminal for the Dingalan-bound buses and take a Danilo Express bus bound for Dingalan. A jeepney is also an option. On the return trip to Manila, take the Danilo Express. There are only two bus trips to and from Dingalan in a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

Sea Transportation
To get around Aurora by sea, passenger boats depart from Duungan, located in a river leading to Baler Bay and Baler Poblacion. The boats are docked along the banks, just adjacent to a bridge connecting the Poblacion and Barangay Sabang. Trips to Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Casiguran and Dilasag are available.

Trips to the south of Baler are possible only by renting bancas. Such boat rides are only available when the seas are fairly calm, to avoid endangering travelers.
No commercial passenger boats are available in Dingalan. Renting a boat is necessary to reach other coastal areas.

Air Transportation
SEAIR has 8:00 AM flights from Manila to Baler every Friday and Monday. SEAIR then flies back from Baler to Manila at 9:30 AM.

SEAir planes will actually land on an airfield in San Luis, which is currently maintained and manned by the Philippine Army. It can accommodate light chartered aircraft such as Cessnas, Fokkers, Islanders, Sunrisers and other light planes and helicopters. A flight from Manila takes about 45 minutes. The airfield is only about 20 minutes away by land to Baler.

Another private airstrip is located in Motyong, Casiguran. This is currently used by logging concessionaires.

For more information, click HERE.