NM Roque on a mission in CEPCA President’s Cup 2026

CEBU, Philippines —  On the heels of his most recent success, National Master Merben Roque shoots for a second consecutive title as he competes in the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) President’s Cup 2026 today (Saturday, May 30) at the CCC Chess Club located at the 4th floor of Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

Roque, who topped The Grandmaster Challenge:Philippine-Russian Open Chess Tournament 2026 a week ago, is one of the players to watch in the one-day tilt that will start at 10:30 a.m.

Expected to give Roque a run for his money are NMs Diego Abraham Caparino and Rommel Ganzon, International Master Rico Mascarinas, and FIDE Master Anthony Makinano.

The champion of the nine-round Swiss system competition that serves as a yearly birthday treat of longtime CEPCA President Engr. Jerry Maratas to the Cebu chess community  will take home P20,000 while the first runner-up will pocket P10,000.

The third to fifth placers will receive P5,000, P3,000, and P2,000, respectively, while the sixth to eighth will get P1,000 each.

Additionally, there will be a cash incentive of P1,000 and P500 for the top two performers across all categories (Cepcans A and B, lady, senior, U8, U12, U16 and U20).