by Philip Chan
Photo by Lam Minh Chao
An unique feature of the ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships has been the Social Night Program. This now much imitated innovation was for a long time the only of its kind in any international chess gathering around the world and has become the hallmark of these annual championships.
Players compete feverishly over the boards in Standard, Rapid and Blitz Chess competitions around the clock but for one night only chess is forgotten and instead we get to be entertained and amazed by their other equally wonderful talents in so many other fields.
The participants have over the years without fail showcased their talents in singing, dancing and playing various music instruments such as the piano, guitar and violin, to name but juts a few.
Mind you, all their preparations are largely impromptu and put together during the days before the event by the various contingents, a practice that goes all the way back to the first edition in 2000 held in Vung Tau, Vietnam.
For the 19th edition, it was no surprise that performers from the Philippines took the gold and silver as they gave so often done in the past. The Group ‘ChessT’ from the Philippines took the top prize of USD 500 whilst another Filipina girl-band ‘Girls Unlimited’ took the second spot and USD 300.
Vietnam came in a creditable third with Nguyen Le Minh Phuc and Pham Viet Thien Phuc singing in English a song called ‘Hello Vietnam’. The song earned them USD 200. This was certainly one of the better Vietnamese performances in recent years.
The Philippines is well known for its wonderful music, and simply everyone sings so well! Performance is in their blood and to add to the colour of the event, there were also many world class acts added to keep the participants entertained, including an acrobatic and juggling team, magic show, Jollibee and the 19 AAGCC event mascots. Joining them was Philippines’ top ‘YoYo’ performer and at the same professional level were the two key organizers of AAGCC, James Infiesto and Arnold Allanigui, respectively putting up a magic show and ventriloquist act.
The International Technical Officials also sportingly took to the stage to strut their stuff and in the end it was Jackson Li/Song Benlei (Hong Kong/China) claiming the best performer of the night prize with their well rehearsed duet from apparently secret Karaoke sessions!
