A SAD news for the Negros Occidental and Western Visayas sports community after former Western Visayas Prisaa Regional Executive Director and Negros Occidental Private School Sports, Cultural and Educational Association (Nopsscea) Over-all Tournament Manager Jose Dante Albao passed away Tuesday, September 22, at the age of 60.

Albao succumbed to a heart attack.

The former STI-West Negros University chess coach has just retired from academic service.

"The whole STI-WNU family felt sad on the news about Dante [Albao]," University Executive VP Mark Molina said.

"He is very dear to me as he is a person who has shown much dedication to his work here in the University and in Nopsscea as well as in WVPrisaa," said Molina, who is both Nopsscea and WVPrisaa president.

Molina also described Albao as a person who made sure that things are possible.

"That despite the challenges, you will still see him relaxed and smiling," he added.

"He is also a father to all our athletes and a friend to everyone in the university and in the sports community," Molina stressed.

"He is a big loss sa Nopsscea especially this year that we are eyeing him to be the 'think tank' of the Technical Committee as we will introduce innovations in Nopsscea," he lamented.

For Provincial Sports Coordinator Anthony Carlo Agustin, "Gone too early. It doesn't sink in yet. We still have lots of things to do with the sports program in the province."

Agustin further described Albao, who also served as province's consultant for chess, as a good and very generous man.

Albao is survived by his wife Rosemarie, and 3 sons.