Sunday, September 28, 2008 Adrian Dimakiling carves his own name By Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan
HIS eldest brother is an international master (IM), while his three other siblings were former chess champions. It was not surprising for the youngest of the Dimakiling brood, Adrian, to also engage into the mental sport.
"I started playing chess when I was eight years old. I just learned by observing others play, especially my brothers and sisters who are also into it. They were the ones who encouraged me to take the sport," Ian recalled.
Oliver, the eldest child of Chito and Pedrita Dimakiling, was a former top boar 1 player at the De La Salle University (DLSU) chess varsity team then he coached the team shortly after graduation. He later got his national master (NM) title by being a constant top performer in national open tournaments. His series of successful stints in international meets also earned him the IM title a few years later.
Ian's sister Faith, a 2000 Palarong Pambansa gold medalist, was also a standout woodpusher while she was with the DLSU Green Archers women's chess team. She is now working at the Human Resources department of the Teletech Call Center in Pasay City, beside SM Mall of Asia.
Marie Angelie, a National Youth Age-Group Championship gold medalist, meanwhile, is still with the DLSU chess team and brother Chito II, a Shell National Youth Active Chess 2007 grand finalist, is Ian's teammate at the University of Mindanao (UM).
But Ian, a 17-year-old BSBA Management Accounting student, is no pushover.
He has been reaping the fruits of hardwork, dedication and passion for the past nine years of playing chess.
He said, "I became board 2 champion in the Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) Meet in 2000. It was my first tournament then in 2002, I won a bronze medal in my first regional competition - the Davao Regional Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet also held in Davao City."
The year 2002 was indeed a fruitful year for this five-six lanky lad. He also swept the championship titles in the HCDC Chess Club Tournament, 1st Youth Active Chess under-12, 2nd Youth Active Chess under-12, 3rd Youth Active Chess Under-12 and 4th Youth Active Chess under-14.
In 2003, Ian topped the 1st Davao Inter-High School Chess Tournament and was also hailed the most valuable player (MVP).
He finished second in the 14th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships Davao Leg in 2006 and represented Davao to the Grand Finals in Manila. His next feat was the Kabasan Festival 2007 Chess Tournament where he emerged champion anew.
He won for Southern Mindanao team a board 2 silver medal in the 2007 National Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) Championships in Iloilo City. He then he clinched another silver in the National Prisaa Championships in Zamboanga City in April this year and helped SM Prisaa salvage the team bronze.
Ian ruled the Primovit Chess juniors event held at the Gaisano South Citimall in March before he placed fourth in the 16th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship Mindanao Leg at SM City Davao recently.
The fourth finish landed him a slot to the Grand Finals set on November 8 and 9 at SM Megamall.
Up close and personal
Ian completed his elementary education at Doña Asuncion Elementary School in 2002 and then he graduated at the Sta. Ana National High School in 2006.
He truly values his education, thus, he manages his time well in academics and training.
"I study my lessons during school days and I train every weekend. I make it a point to make good grades because it is also required for a varsity scholar like me. I tried out as a varsity player so I can avail of a scholarship and to be able to finish college," he said.
He said being in the varsity team has been teaching him important values in life.
"I learned the values of teamwork, cooperation and how to be gracious in victory. I consider that as among the privileges of being in the team."
I'm really surprised of his statement. Others I have interviewed would readily cite free travel as a privilege of being a varsity athlete. But Ian sees beyond the perks and the glamour of it all.
He has depth and maturity to see bigger things in a simple package.
"It is an achievement for me to win my every game and to be able to represent Davao in national competitions. I also dream to represent the country internationally and make the Philippines known not just as an athlete but as a value-oriented person," he shared.
He takes pride in his Kuya Oliver, adding: "He is my idol, He is not just a chess player but a person of good values and virtues. He is an inspiration."
His favorite book, The Holy Bible, must also be doing him a lot of good.
Having the deep conviction on good values will certainly bring this chess ace from Catalunan Pequeño to greater heights.
