STANDOUTS Wesley Jovan Magbanua, Aaron Japhet Caresosa and Andre Miguel Jorgio secured a spot to the Grand Finals set this October at the SM Mall of Asia Arena after winning their respective categories in the 25th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships (SNYACC) Southern Mindanao Leg that came to a close on Sunday, September 3, at the Annex of SM City Davao.
Magbanua, a 12-year-old student of Jose Maria College (JMC) who hails from Los Amigos, Tugbok District, Davao City, earned a total of 8.5 points in the nine-round Swiss System format chessfest to annex the kiddies title over Charliemagne Arias (7.5) of Kingking Central Elementary School, Jayson Gener (7.5) of Romana Elementary School, Jacob Aparte (7.0) of New Society National High School both in General Santos City and Ryan Gabriel Rasay (7.0) of Davao City Special School, who wounded up in the next four places.
But Arias and Cyrhea Ruth Atog of Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy-Mati City, who romped away with the top female award, will also join Magbanua to don the Southern Mindanao colors in the upcoming Grand Finals.
For Magbanua, winning his first and last SNYACC title is, somehow, a dream come true.
The 4'2 kid who is the smallest among the winners will finally get a chance to ride a plane with his father Wilson, who travelled 22 kilometers from the church where he preaches every Sunday just to show his unwavering support for his son.
"Grabe ang sakripisyo namo para lang makaapil siya sa lain-lain nga competition. Salamat kaayo sa Ginookay kung wala siya nag hatag ug kaalam, wala mi diri karon," the proud father said.
The 14-year-old Caresosa of Panabo Faith Mission Academy, meanwhile, tallied 8.5 points to secure the juniors division title over top female chessers Irish Yngayo (7.5) of Davao Central College (DCC), Kurt John Placencia (7.0) of Davao City National High School (DCNHS), Jerson Pantalita (7.0) of Father Bustamante National High School (FBNHS) and Sungyeong Aparte (7.0) of General Santos City National High School, who occupied the four spots.
Since Yngayo got a double feat by placing second and grabbing the top female award that assured her spot to the Grand Finals, third placer Placencia will take the slot and fly to Manila this October.
University of Mindanao (UN) bet Jorgio, for his part, edged fellow-7.5 pointer Gino Angelo Asuncion of San Pedro College (SPC) to clinch the seniors’ category title in the event that lured some 400 participants from Mindanao.
Dhona Yngayo of UM, however, occupied the third place on top of grabbing the top female honor by scoring a total of 6.5. She was trailed by Rafael Dela Torre (6.5) of JMC at fourth and Francis Xavier Guimalan (6.5) of SPC at fifth.