Soriano Wins 1st Treelane II Tourney

The 1st Treelane II Chess Tournament was held last Sunday,July 6 2008 at the Clubhouse 1 of Treelane II Subdivision, Bayan Luma 3, Imus Cavite. A total of 23 players registered for the event. Five of those played for the Kiddies division and all of them were girls. A good sign for the female division tournament in the future for our "club". For the open division (junior and senior), there were 18 players and in the field was a lone female player (the only rose among the bulls).

Here are the photos taken by freelance photographer Mr. Ricky Canta:

The "budol fight" kiddies section...

The "budol fight" Open Category



OrganiZers of the event, me and Gilbert Gante (wearing white shirt):


Rovel Pullon in red shirt, aka Jong, clarifies his drawn game against Norberto Nior "obet":


Celine Flora and me


Mr. Bert Hernandez and Adrian Saulog


Mr. Asiscio Bagaipo, Founding President of Imus Chess Association and Cavite Chess Federation


Future violinist, child educator, veterinarian, medical doctor and a business tycoon, Patricia Nicole my beautiful daughter


The "budol fight" Heavyweight Division


Roy Olayon and Dan "Cocoy" Sapiandante


A view of the playing venue


Christian Paul Magtibay (striped shirt) vs Rudolfo "junior" Vinoya


Battle of the top boards: (L-R)Dan Supetran vs Bonifacio Magtibay


"Budol Fight" Kiddies Division


The playing venue fom the other side


Seated L-R Mr. Asi, Mr. Alex and Mr Jun Querubin (Treelane II Homeowners Association) while I give the opening remarks and status of chess in our community


Joining us is my partner, co-speaker, and chess buddy, Mr. Gilbert Ghante to add several points about the tourney


The Ceremonial Move : Mr. President vs. 7 yr old Enricka Diaz


The first round pairing is out


Top Lady Christine Ann Chiong receiving 500 pesos plus certificate. With Ms. Mushi of the Treelane II Homeowners Association Office


Erwin Soriano winning the tourney who took home the trophy and 3,000.00 pesos


The top 3 big finishers, Erwin, Dan and Bonifacio


Me and Imus Sports Council Director, Mr. Shernan Jaro


Mr. Shernan Jaro talks about sports development in our town


The participants and organizers of the 1st Treelane II Chess Tournament


The Juniors from L-R: Julius Raymon Hernandez, Tristan Wayne S Dandan, Draylle Dimayacyac, Christian Paul Magtibay and Janjan Mangguera


Top Junior, Janjan Mangguerra receiving 500 pesos and certificate


Well my thoughts about the tournament?

Preparation phase: Man! We need to be prepared well enough and wisely, our names are at stake here...

It was the busiest week for me in this 1 month and a half vacation. In fact I can believe I had nights when I'll sleep at 2 or 3 in the morning trying to organize on paper and in my head everything about the event.

Tournament day: We had to prepare early, around 5 in the morning. The venue had to be cleaned, the tables were already there but needed to be put up. Cordoning off the place was easy but containing the crowd was another story. Pairing was perfectly ok. Most of the concerns during the games bordered on the clarifications of the rules of a drawn game.

Awarding was very good. Although it was only Mr Shernan Jaro who graced our opening ceremony event, his presence was all we needed to perspire and work for the success of the tournament. The budol fight was nice. It was I guess one of a kind which could serve as a wake up call to organizers in the land. C'mon guys, the funds do come in, please share them to all the players. We served coffee, canies, chocolate drinks and unlimited water supply. We also provided certificates for all the participants and it was all in parchment paper. Imagine providing all you can eat during lunchtime for each tournaments your kids will join in? And to think we only asked for a hundred peso registration fee... The money is not for the organizers but rather for the players.

After the tournament?

Heck! It was tiring. I needed at least a whole day to stay away from the chess sets and clocks and all the files that says "1st treelane II Chess Tournament"!

Before we held our awarding ceremonyas, we had an open forum because somebody asked me where the event would lead us....Well, we'll have our Saturdays 2 PM Onwards chess matches to be held in the clubhouse 1. Come one come all!

Thank you goes to a lot of people and organizations....

Mayor Manny Maliksi
Vice Mayor Mandy Ilano
Imus Sports Council and Director Shernan Jaro
Engineer Arguelles
Dr. Jeff Asistio
Imus Chess Association and President Asi Bagaipo
Treelane II Homeowners Association, Residents and Officers "THE COMMUNITY" (Ay sus! salamat ng marami sa inyong lahat, ang dami nyo!)
Rustic Bull of Malibay Chess Club Blog and Malibay Chess Club
Ms. Mushi
Mr. and Mrs. Norlito Bersamina
Mr. Hermie Medina
Mr. Ricky Canta for the photo moments (whole day yun pre!)
Gilbert Gante and Family
Buenaventura Family
My wife Claire for putting up with my "please,I'm in the middle of the chess tournament preparation thing" moments (ang dami nun)
My parents whom I've bothered with all the possible "bothering" I can.
Thank you thank you thank you!

Till next tournament!