by Marlon Bernardino
PARANAQUE CITY, PHILIPPINES—For a fifth straight term, former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. will serve as President and Chairman of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. In photo above are, left to right, NM Jose Rafael Legaspi, Engr. Martin Gaticales, Judge Gonzalo Mapili, Mayor Seth Frederick Jalosjos, Mayor Abraham Tolentino, Atty. Ruel Canobas, Vice Gov. Athena Tolentino, Mr. Luisito Ramos, FST / GM Jayson Gonzales, FST / GM Eugene Torre. Present in Zoom were Mayor Atty. Christian Natividad and Mr. Rey Urbiztondo
“It is an honor to be re-elected as the Chairman and President of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
I would like to thank the officers and members of NCFP for placing your trust and confidence in my abilities to lead this prestigious organization.
Mabuhay ang NCFP!
Mabuhay ang mga Pilipinong Chess Players!
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!,” posted Pichay in his facebook account.
Pichay got a new mandate after he and Judge Gonzalo Mapili, who was reelected as board of director and auditor, made it back to the 15-member NCFP Board of Directors following elections held 23rd July at the East Ocean Palace in Paranaque City. Pichay accumulated 28 votes during the proceedings.
Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao joined the National Chess Federation of the Philippines after he was elected third vice president during elections. Pacquiao was in General Santos City and was not present during the polls but has reportedly agreed to his election. The former Senator, who faces Korean YouTuber DK Yoo this December in a charity match, has always supported chess tournaments before.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr. was present as observer along with POC deputy secretary-general for administration Carl Irving Sambrano.
Interestingly, Tolentino’s daughter, Cavite vice governor Athena Tolentino was elected first VP.
The other officials are Atty. Ruel Canobas (second VP, Marino Party list Rep. Carlo Sandro Gonzalez (secretary-general), Malolos City Mayor Atty. Christian “Agila” Natividad (Treasurer), Engr. Luisito Ramos (finance chair), former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares (youth development chair), NM/ Atty. Cresencio “Cris” Aspiras (ratings and titles chair), and Jose Rafael Legaspi, Jonas Silvano, Engr. Rey Urbiztondo, Martin “Binky” Gaticales and Dapitan City Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos as directors.