ALL EYES ON BERSAMINA IN PALMDALE CHESS TODAY

FOR PAOLO “Pau” Bersamina, winning the gold medal in the just concluded 2009 ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships gave confidence to him as he eyes a more ambitious dream—to follow the foot step of grandmasters Eugene Torre, Joey Antonio Jr., Bong Villamayor, Nelson Mariano II, Mark Paragua, Darwin Laylo, Wesley So, Jayson Gonzales, John Paul Gomez, Joseph Sanchez, Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. and the late Rosendo Balinas.

The pride of Pasay City is the top favorites when the first-ever Palmdale Import and Export Co. Rapid Chess Tournament gets underway today, Sunday (June 28) at the Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School (RMCHS) along Edsa, Cubao (opposite of Nepa Q-Mart).

Joining Bersamina in the one-day event, three-division tournament (14 year old kiddie, non-master and womens divisions) are fellow Meralco Chess Club junior players Paul Casiano, CLRAA Back-to-Back Champion who held NM Efren Bagamasbad to draw, 2008 Binangonan Grade School Champion Jam Jerusalem, Pia Casiano, Rhal Sol Cruz (draws with NM Villanueva, NM Bagamasbad & NM Vasquez) and Earl Cabugao (win vs NM Vasquez & draw with NM Villanueva).

Organized by RP and US Chess Master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., sponsored by sportsman/ businessman Fernando “Kuya Nanding” Reyes, FDR International, XT2000 Orange Oil and Diana Secret for anti aging treatment, which aims to promote chess in the grassroots-level in close cooperation with Dickies VP Sales and Marketing Dody T. Arcaya, Filway Marketings Inc. CEO/ President Hector Tagaysay and Barangay Alabang Chairman Victor Ulanday.

No less than National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., and Quezon City Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte have invited to grace the opening rites at 11 a.m. that includes Vice Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista, 3rd district rep. Matias Defensor, 4th district rep. Nanette Castelo Daza, 4th district councilors headed by Bayani Hipol, Janet Malaya, Edsel Lagman, Bong Suntay, Vincent Belmonte, Barangay Kaunlaran Chairman Teresa Atentar, Barangay Alabang Chairman Victor Ulanday and Barangay Pinagkaisahan Chairman Vincent Saab.

Tournament registration begins at 9 a.m. Please look tournament organizer RP and US Chess master Almario “Marlon” Bernardino Jr., arbiters NMs Erwin Carag, Rudy Ibanez, Raul Cruz and Gatz Luz for complete details.

BY: NATIONAL MASTER MARLON BERNARDINO