LINGAYEN–A young woodpusher from Pangasinan who topped the just concluded 2012 National Primary and Secondary Schools Chess Championship will lead three other qualifiers in the International Chess Festival in New Delhi, India later this month.

Danica Alexis Ablang from Joyland School in San Fabian, who topped the Standard Category Elementary Girls Division in the Chess Championship held November 27 to December 3 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here, has set her eyes in bringing home the gold from the India event.

Ablang, who started playing chess when she was still in pre-elementary school, said she undergoes training from her father and a professional chess trainer.

The three other qualifiers are John Marvin Miciano, Christina Ann Medenilla from Liceo de San Antonio, and Paulo Bersamina of Letran College.

“The success of these kids really depends on us parents…on us patrons,” said Governor Amado Espino Jr. during the closing ceremony.

Department of Education (DepEd) Deputy Secretary General Cesar S. Abalon, meanwhile, lauded Espino for his unwavering support to the province’s sports development program.

“Saludo ako sa ipinapakitang pagsuporta ni Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. sa sports lalo na sa chess at lalo na iyong konsepto nya ng pagpapatayo ng sports academy sa Pangasinan,” Abalon said during the closing and awarding ceremony last December 3.

The governor, in turn, said, “Ang mga Pilipino ay matatalino at ang chess ay labanan ng utak. Ito ay sports na hindi nakukuha sa palakasan o palakihan ng katawan o katangkaran. It is the kind of sport where everybody could play.”

The just concluded weeklong Chess tourney drew more than 80 players from various elementary and secondary schools in the country.

The event was a joint project of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by Prospero Pichay in cooperation with DepEd and the provincial government of Pangasinan.–with report from Johanne R. Macob

Back to Homepage