Taclobanon is grand champ of CEPCA annual tourney

CEBU, Philippines - A pawnpusher from the place worst hit by super typhoon Yolanda five weeks ago emerged as the grand champion of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) annual tournament.

Jimmy Ty, Jr. gave his fellow Taclobanons something to cheer about in this most difficult moment of their lives after he bumped off 11 other monthly champions to earn the bragging rights as the best and brightest Cepcan of the year during the event's grand finale last Sunday night at Lola Saling's Grill and Seafood Restaurant in Brgy. Casuntingan, Mandaue City.

"I dedicate this victory to my fellow Taclobanons who were hit the hardest by Yolanda," said Ty, a civil engineer who is presently connected with Primary Structures Corporation.

The 28-year-old Ty barged into the championship after edging our Manuel Abucay, a fellow engineer working for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mandaue, in the semis. He then outlasted Peterson Sia, a chess tutor who owns the biggest collection of chessbooks in Cebu, in his final assignment to come out as the best of the best.

Percival Fiel, an employee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), wound up third, while the fourth and fifth spots were taken by Abucay and Maggi Dionson, respectively. Rey Flores, last year's grand winner, was relegated to sixth place this time.

It was truly a day of the young turks as the 25-year-old Carlo Maraat, a certified public accountant assigned at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) regional field office, topped the CEPCA non-qualifiers tournament, while the 34-year-old Jerry Maratas, a civil and structural engineer, formally assumed his post as the new club president for 2014.

Maraat posted a perfect 4.5 points to rule the 5-round Swiss system competition. Amado Olea, a staff sergeant from the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and Jun Pasion both came up with 3.5 points, but Olea went on to claim the second place honors courtesy of a higher tie-break output applying the Bucholz system.

SPO4 Ruel Hortelano settled for fourth as immediate past CEPCA president Jojo Muralla completed the top five finishers.

Former Cebu City Mayor Alvin B. Garcia was on hand to award the beautifully-crafted trophies and cash prizes to the winners. He was assisted by Maratas, Muralla, CEPCA founder Boy Pestaño, and sports committee chairman Jun Olis.

In his brief speech, Garcia lauded the staying power of CEPCA that is existent in the Cebu sports circuit for 24 years already.

"I did not expect that a sports organization like this would last up to this moment," said Garcia, a self-confessed disciple of this famous European boardgame. "I think it is basically for the love of the sport.

The erstwhile chief executive of the City also emphasized the importance of chess not only for personal growth but also for the career advancement of those who embraced it.

"Most of you are professionals and you cannot deny that your line of thinking and way of doing things are very logical based on the principles you gained from playing chess," added Garcia, who also formally inducted into office the new set of CEPCA officers led by Maratas.

Also sworn into office were Marvyne Guardiana (VP External); Dante Arguelles (VP Internal); Jun Olis (Secretary); Jun Kidlat (Treasurer); Ruel Hortelano (Auditor); and Mandy Baria and Jojo Muralla (Board Members).

In accepting the responsibility bestowed upon him, Maratas humbly asked for the understanding and full cooperation of all Cepcans so they may succeed in all endeavors they have to undertake under his tenure.

"Thank you for giving me your trust and confidence to lead this prestigious organization even if I'm just new in this group. I just hope that your support, cooperation and commitment to CEPCA will continue for us to succeed in whatever programs and activities we will undertake in the coming year," said Maratas, owner of Jemar Engineering Services that specializes in civil and structural design of both medium and high-rise buildings. (FREEMAN)