Gov. Espino assures support to chess IM Pascua’s GM bid
LINGAYEN—Pangasinenses are looking forward to seeing another Pangasinense become a grand master after Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. assured new chess International Master (IM) Haridas Pascua of Mangatarem of his full support.
The governor has instructed Executive Assistant III Modesto Operania, Sports Director of the province, to work with the Pangasinan Chess League (PCL) to come up with a project proposal to help Pascua attain the GM rank.
“We are doing this kasi very special si Haridas Pascua sa atin dahil, “ Esipno said as he recalled how the provincial government started supporting his training since his primary school days.
“Without the financial support for promising chess players, particularly public school pupils, in addition to training and tournaments, they will find it hard to pursue their career in chess,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. issued Provincial Resolution No. 534-2014 today, April 28 commending Pascua’s feat.
According to PCL President Juan Vicente Sison, Pangasinan is the only province in the country that pioneered in orgainzing an annual chess festival, clinics and trainings that started seven years ago.
Sison, who also attended the courtesy call of Pascua on the governor, said “the long wait of Pangasinan to produce another chess IM is over… the programs of the provincial government to develop chess players from the grassroots level have paid off.”
Pascua, an active participant in the provincial government-sponsored chess tournaments and clinics, became the province’s second IM after Rodolfo Tan Cardoso of Alaminos City, after placing second in the Dytm Raja Dr. Nazrin International Open Chess Championships (open category) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 3-11.
Rodolfo Tan Cardoso of Alaminos City, an ASNA Balitok awardee of the province, became the first Filipino IM in 1957. He died August 21 of last year.
At 20, Pascua recorded 5 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss in said tournament that was participated in by some 88 chess players from 20 countries.
“Masaya po ‘yung feeling ng pagkapanalo at makakapag-uwi ka ng karangalan para sa probinsya,” he said even as he expressed gratitude over the moral and financial support he received from the provincial government for his participation to the international chess tourney.
Pascua was with the Pangasinan contigent that harvested medals in the 2013 Asian Age Group Chess Championships held in Thailand where he captured 5 golds and 1 silver. He was also gold-medallist in the blitz and 2nd in the standard categories of the 2013 Philippine National Games, among other distinctions he won from various chess tournments inside and outside the country. (PIO)
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