32 players kick off bid in Shell chess finals

MANILA, Philippines - Thirty two players gear up for the grand finals of this year’s Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships set on Sept. 14 to 15 at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

The elite field, which survived the grueling five-leg nationwide eliminations over the past few months, includes the country’s leading youth chess players as well as rising stars who will try to outsmart each other for top honors, prizes and bragging rights in this renowned annual competition.

The National Youth Active Chess Championship, now on its 21st year, is a legacy project of Shell, the leading power, energy and gas technology company in the country.

“Just as Shell continuously invests in delivering more energy to build a sustainable energy future, we consistently provide support as well to programs that promote nation-building and youth development,” says Jackie Ampil, Shell Social Investment Manager. “Aside from our advocacies on environmental management and protection, smarter mobility, promoting road safety and fuel efficient driving among others, our nationwide chess program is one of our innovative methods in developing the potentials of Filipino youths to become productive individuals while helping the country move towards progress.”

Competing in the boys’ juniors championship are the first and second placers in the nationwide legs, respectively: from NCR, Jerome Villanueva and Timothy John So Kua; from Northern Luzon, Vince Angelo Medina and Jan Nigel Galan; from Southern Luzon, Marc Kevin Labog and Jeazzir Kline Surposa; from Visayas, Felix Shaun Balbona and Allan Pason; and from Mindanao, Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano and Alji Cantonjos.

The girls’ juniors championship, meanwhile, will be participated in by NCR top and second placers Arvie Lozano and Gladys Hazelle Romero, as well as by the top placers in the other legs: Michelle Yaon from Northern Luzon; Jean Karen Enriquez from Southern Luzon; Jazelle Villarin from the Visayas; and Ella Grace Moulic from Mindanao.

Battling it out in the boys’ kiddies championship are the first and second placers in all nationwide legs, respectively: from NCR, Julius Gonzales and Robin Ignaxio; from Northern Luzon, Israelito Rilloraza and Dale Bernardo; from Souther Luzon, Haince Patrick de Leon and Stephen Rome Pangilinan; from Visayas, Chris Aldritz Pondoyo and Joshua Panes; and from Mindanao, Jeffu Dorog and Aldrin Romulo Ranario.

Similar to the girls’ juniors championship, the girls’ kiddies category will also feature the NCR top and second placers, together with the top winners of the other nationwide legs: Jesca Docena and Rizalyn Jasmine Tejada from NCR; Bea Mendoza from Northern Luzon; Alexis Anne Osena from Southern Luzon; Cristy Cabungcag from Visayas; and Frince Ezra Vanjo from Mindanao.