The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
ILOILO CITY — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), represented by Commissioner Matthew “Fritz” Gaston, lauded Asia’s first grandmaster, Eugene Torre, and the One Chess Movement (OCM), for keeping chess alive and promoting grassroots sports development in the provinces.
Gaston, a former athlete himself before being appointed as commissioner of the government sports agency in March 2023, underscored the importance of hosting and organizing regular local tournaments to hone the skills of the players while keeping them away from vices.
“Natutuwa ako ngayon na makita kayong lahat na naglalaro dito sa Chess Legend GM Eugene Torre 75th Birthday National Open Rapid and Team Tatluhan Chess Championships,” said Gaston before the formal closing ceremony at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Iloilo City over the weekend.
The Silay, Negros Occidental native, congratulated the OCM, headed by chairman Lope Santos III and president Ariel Potot, for leading the way for the private sector to continue to work with the government in promoting sports as part of nation-building.
He also noted the support of Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas and the people of Iloilo in ensuring the success of the tournament for the Ilonggo grandmaster himself, Torre.
“Mahalaga ang mga ganitong tournament para sa ating lahat. Gaya nga ng madalas nating sabihin bilang mga atleta, sports promote not only our physical but also our mental well-being. Naglalaro rin ako ng chess, kaya naniniwala ako na dito, kailangang maganda ang physical and mental condition ng mga player,” said Gaston, who also served as commissioner of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
The former national women’s team coach said he was pleased to see many young players in the five-day tournament, with some parents even in attendance.
“Nakikita ko ang ibang magulang na nandito ngayon at nakasuporta sa kanilang mga anak. Napakahalaga nito para mag-excel sa sports,” explained Gaston, whose daughters Pauline and Therese both play volleyball.
Gaston was in the Visayas to personally oversee the 2026 Indigenous Peoples Games presented by the PSC in San Jose, Antique last Nov. 7-8.
From Antique, he travelled to Iloilo to attend the GM Torre 75th birthday tournament.
Among those who warmly welcomed him were Sec. Santos, National United Chess Federation vice president Orly Ortega, secretary-general Atty. Anthony Orbe and board member Jezreel Lopez, national para chess team coach James infiesto and Iloilo City Sports and Games Regulation Officer John Lester Santiago.
Gaston also personally congratulated two-time World Seniors champion IM Chito Garma for winning the individual rapid competition.
Garma, who is best remembered for winning the 50+ division of the 32nd World Seniors Championship on Porto Santo Island, Portugal, in 2023, has finished with 7.5 points on seven wins and one draw to rule the two-day rapid tournament
The 62-year-old pride of Manila swept his first seven assignments before drawing his eighth and final-round match against No. 18 seed Cyril Telesforo.
Garma won over Gilzenhover Ebi, AIM Felixberto Baguyo, Karlo Britanico, Leonel Escote, FM Raymond Salcedo, NM Vince Angelo Medina, and top seed FM Christian Mark Daluz before the final-round draw with Telesforo.
NM Edsel Montoya and Telesforo shared second and third places with seven points, while Daluz, Medina and NM Fritz Bryan Porras wound up in a tie for fourth to sixth place with 6.5 points.
In the Team Tatluhan, ZHCC of NM Joey Albert Florendo, Lennon Hart Salgados, and Jordan Gadayan, emerged as the champions
Salgados led the way with a perfect score of seven points on board two. Florendo added five points on four wins, two draws, and one loss on board one, while Gadayan contributed 4.5 points on four wins, one draw, and two losses on board three.
ZHCC brought home the top prize of P100,000 out of the total prize fund of P500,000.
WAMS (Wala Ako Maisip Sir) of NM Vince Angelo Medina, Alexis Emil Maribao, and Edwin Carnese, and Red Horse Chess Club (Colt) of Harrison Maamo, Jerry Areque, and Laurence Wilfred Dumadag shared second and third places with 12 match points.
WAMS, however clinched the runner-up honor with 17 points against Red Horse Colt’s 15.5 points.
Completing the top five teams were Red Horse Chess Club (Stallion) of Samson Lim, NM Marc Christian Nazario, and Teorwin Talapuan, which finished with 11 match points and 16.5 points; and Denta HP Russian Comrade of Vladimir Gonzales, Leonel Escote, and Virgen Gil Ruaya, which wound up with 11 match points and 14.5 points.