Normel De Jesus of Sta. Maria, Bulacan emerged as champion of the IIEE Central Luzon Region leg rapid open chess tournament on June 19, 2025 at the Nagano Gym, NEUST San Leonardo campus, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
In photo are, from left, Engr. Norberto De Jesus, IIEE Bulacan President Engr. Angelo Licuanan,Normel De Jesus (Champion) and IIEE Central Luzon Regional Governor 2019 Engr. Rodel Dela Torre.
The former mainstay of University of Santo Tomas chess team finished the 5-round Swiss system competition with a perfect 5.0 points to clinch the title.
De Jesus is a Sports Development Officer at the Provincial Sports Office in Bulacan.
He defeated Carlo Velasco of Nueva Ecija in the first round, Nicholo Calix Acaban of Nueva Ecija in the second round, Virgilio Sardillo of Nueva Ecija in the third round, 2-time Asian Senior Champion International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad of Quezon City in the fourth round and James Henry Calacday of Tarlac in the fifth and final round.
Catrihino Pestano of Nueva Ecija landed at second place with 4.5 points, while Calacday settled for third with 4.0 points.
Tournament Director was Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez.-Marlon Bernardino-
James Henry Calacday of Tarlac shakes hand with Normel De Jesus of Sta. Maria, Bulacan.