Youngest sister of GM Paragua also into chess

The 11 year-old Gem Hannah Callano-Paragua, youngest sister of GM Mark Paragua, is ready to play in the much awaited first Pineda-Santos-Camer three division rapid chess tournament which unreels Sunday at the Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School (RMCHS) at Edsa, Cubao, opposite Nepa Q-Mart.

Gem Hannah is fresh from an outstanding performance in the just ended annually Milo Little Olympics Chess Championships yesterday at the Marikina Sports Complex.

This grade six pupil of Children of Mary Immaculate College, Valenzuela scored perfect 5.0 points in five games of play in the board 1 of elementary division.

“Gagawin ko lamang po ang best ko sa PSC chess,” said Gem Hannah.

The tournament registration start at nine o’clock in the morning (9 am). Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre, an RMCHS batch 68 alumni, will grace the opening ceremonies and will deliver an inspirational message to the participants in the three division (kiddie 14 year-old and below, womens and non-master) tournament aimed to discover future world class chess player.

Registration fee is P300 for the non-master category while P200 each for the kiddie 14 year-old and below and womens division.

La Immaculada Concepcion School (LICS), Pasig City, meanwhile send their 20 player

According to LICS head coach Expedito Bolico in an interview of this writer yesterday at the Marikina Sports Complex.

“20 players ko ang kasali bukas (ngayon), 16 sa kiddies event, 1 sa womens division habang 3 naman sa non-master class,” said Mr. Expedito.

Marist School Marikina headed by Haince Patrick de Leon, Vincent Nasiad, Joshua and Vince Morte also confirm to play this was bared yesterday by Marist School Marikina head coach NM Rudy Ibanez.

“Sasali ang mga player ko sa Marist School Marikina at maging sa Marikina Chess Federation. Sakto buti na lamang hindi nag conflict sa Milo Little Olympics,” said Ibanez, who also takes to be the deputy arbiter of chief arbiter IA-NM Erwin Carag.

Aside from trophies and medals, at stake a total of P17,500 cash prizes are up for grabs in the one-day event with the non-master champion pocketing P6,000 plus a new pair of shoes while P2,000 each for the winners in the kiddie 14 year-old and below, womens division.

Quezon City mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, vice-mayor Herbert “Bistik” Bautista, fourth district congresswoman Nanette Castelo-Daza, councilor’s Bayani Hipol, Vincent Belmonte, Bong Suntay, Babes Malaya, Edcel Lagman, Dante de Guzman and Bernadette Hererra-Dy were also invited to attend the opening rites while local arbiter Gatz Luz, will lead the invocation. Those who want to join may contact 0919 849 3648 for complete details. MARLON BERNARDINO.