Palmdale Chessfest

I received several messages from NM Marlon Bernardino thru texts and emails. This is one (I'm so busy these days so let me cut and paste his email):

PALMDALE CHESSFEST REELS OFF TODAY AT RMCHS
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

THE much awaited first-ever Palmdale Import and Export Co. Rapid Chess Tournament reels off, today, Sunday, June 28 at the Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School (RMCHS) along Edsa, Cubao (opposite of Nepa Q-Mart).

"Young woodpushers will again vie for honors in the one-day tournament that offers cash prizes, trophies and medals plus Dickies products and Timelife Books too" said Tournament organizer RP and US Chess Master Almario Marlon Bernardino, also a sportswriter and radio commentator.

Categories are non-master (Womans titled player, WFM, WIM and WGM can join) , 14 year old kiddie class and womens divisions, in this event backed up by sportsman/ businessman Fernando "Kuya Nanding" Reyes, FDR International, XT2000 Orange Oil and Diana Secret for anti aging treatment, which aims to promote chess in the grassroots-level in close cooperation with Dickies Vice President Dody T. Arcaya, Filway Marketings Inc. CEO/President Hector Tagaysay and Barangay Alabang Chairman Victor Ulanday.

After the opening ceremony at 11 a.m. that will be graced by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Quezon City Mayor Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte, Vice-Mayor Herbert "Bistek" Bautista, 3rd district rep. Matias Defensor and 4th district rep. Nanette Castelo Daza, the first round of the three-division (14 year old and below kiddie class, womens and non-master) tournament starts at 12 noon.

Players can still catch up with the registration in the morning starts at 9 a.m. according to Chief Arbiter NM Erwin Carag.

Other invited guest to the opening rites are 4th district councilors headed by Bayani Hipol, Janet Malaya, Edsel Lagman, Bong Suntay and Vincent Belmonte, Barangay Kaunlaran Chairman Teresa Atentar, Barangay Alabang Chairman Victor Ulanday, Barangay Pinagkaisahan Chairman Vincent Saab and long-time resident of Quezon City, Grandmasters Eugene Torre, Rogelio Antonio Jr., Jayson Gonzales and Mark Paragua, among others.

So far, Meralco Chess players Chess Club's junior players Paul & Pia Casiano, Rhal Sol Cruz, Earl Cabugao, Julian Sabularse, Jam Jerusalem and Paolo Bersamina head the top-notch roster of players vying for the top honors in the one-day event in coordination with RMCHS Cubao Principal IV Dr. Josefina Perlado, GM Mark Monera Magadan of MPC Aluminum and Glass Trading, Dr. Alfredo Paez, Dr. Bong Perez, Marikina Chess Federation headed by Johnny Gaudia, g4 chess club led by Joel Pineda, Chess Arbiters Association of the Philippines (CAAP), Hi-tec shoes and Jubilant Advertising. Also vying the coveted plum that includes DLSU, College of St. Benilde, University of the East, San Beda College, Ateneo de Manila Univeristy and Far Eastern University, the World Inter-Varsity Chess Champion.

Free Lunch to all participants and entitled to join the raffle game in the said three division tournament (Non-Master, Kiddies 14 years old and below, Womens). Registration fee for the non-master category is P300 while for the kiddies (14 years old and below) and womens divisions are P200 each. For details: please call / text IA/ NM Erwin Carag, 0921-228-8167 and NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. 0919-849-3648 or email at marlon.bernardino2008@gmail.com, codybank2007@gmail.com.

GUARANTEED PRIZES AT PALMDALE CHESS
(Non-Master)1st-P4,000
2nd-P2,000
3rd-P1,000
4th-P500
5th-P500
6th to 10th placers (Give aways products: Dickies and Time Life Books)
Top Senior (50 years old and above);
Top Juniors (20 years old and below);Top Executive; Top Unrated; Top journalist; Top Artist; Top Ramon Magsaysay Student (Give aways products: Dickies and Time Life Books)

Kiddies 14 years old and below
1st-P2,000
2nd-P1,000
3rd-P500
4th to 5th-P250 each
6th to 10th-Time Life Booksyoungest participants-Time Life Books

Womens
1st-P2,000
2nd-P1,000
3rd-P500
4th to 5th-P250 each
6th to 10th-Time Life Books