Severino, 40

MANILA, Philippines — Sander Severino, the face of Philippine Para chess, lost in time.

Given until 20 to live when he was eight years old due to muscle dystrophy or degeneration, Severino, through chess, defied it and lived through more than what was expected of him with his frail body.

On Saturday evening back home in Silay, Negros Occidental, his heart, which was as big as his will power and courage, failed him and quietly faded into the night.

He was 40.

Severino went out fighting.

Last month, he gave what little energy was left from  him – despite the excruciating pain caused by the genetic disease that, day by day, led to the weakening and loss of skeletal muscles – delivering five gold medals in the ASEAN Para Games in Thailand.