Mayor to grace Shell chess opening

SHELL Petronas has invited no less than Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano to grace the opening of the 18th National Shell Active Chess regional eliminations here on Sept. 11-12 at the fully-airconditioned City Tourism Hall. 

Known as "Dongkoy" or "Alas" to his legion of followers, the region's political kingpin is expected to give inspiring remarks before 500 children from all over the country vying for the coveted slots in the National Shell Grandfinals.

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"Our beloved city mayor is very supportive to our cause. In fact, our weekend chess clinic has been well accommodated for months now at the City Tourism Hall through the help also of Madame Criselda "Dayen" Joson," said Asset-in-chess trainer Lorenzo "Jun" Cuizon, referring to the equally sports-loving city administrator. 

Also invited to close out the Oro Shell leg on Sunday's awards rites are City Councilor Adrian "Adi" Barba and city sports executive director, Engr. Isidro Borja. 

Easily one of the pillars of the long-surviving Prisaa (Private Schools Athletic Association) Meet, Atty. Barba has warmly welcomed the invitation saying youth chess development also occupies a soft spot in his heart apart from basketball, football and lawn tennis that has now become his regular sport. 

Around 350 kiddies (14-under) and 150 juniors (20 and below) will see action in the two-day chessfest, serving as the kick off leg for Mindanao before the nation-wide regional eliminations culminate at the Event Center of SM City Davao on Sept. 25-26.
 
The Cagayan de Oro leg, offering juicy cash prizes, free Shell t-shirt and McDo lunch on the opening day action, will start at 9 am. 

"And since ato namang na-reach ang 500-entry nga target, ang chance na lang sa na-ulahi nga maka-apil nga adunay dili maka-abot sa venue on time or last-minute nga mag-withdraw for some unforeseen glitches kay puwede pa sila pulihan," the local Shell chess organizer, said.