Press Release
Shell Active Chess Grand Finals Ceremonial Move
16/11/2009
Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation Downstream Communications Manager Mylene Santos (seated, left) and Department of Education (DepEd) Chief for Physical Fitness, Wellness and Recreation Cesar Avalon (seated, right) in a handshake after making a ceremonial move to formally open the recently concluded Grand Finals of the 17th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship (Shell Active Chess) in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. Witnessing the ceremonial move are (standing, left to right) Tournament Director Alex Dinoy and Chief Arbiter Gene Poliarco.
Forty-four players from different parts of the country competed for the much-coveted Shell Active Chess national championship crowns but it was Vince Angelo Medina of Far Eastern University - FERN and John Ranel Morazo of the University of Baguio who emerged as champions in the Kiddies and Juniors division, respectively.
“In chess, winning is not the only thing that makes the game worth playing. It is also the values that players imbibe when they play the game. But even more importantly, it is the lasting friendships they make from shared experiences – shared agony and shared triumph – that make chess all the more enjoyable. As our theme this year emphasizes “Maglaro at matuto kasama ang Chess Barkada”, this game is not just a breeding ground for talent and skill, it is even more so of friendships and fun,” Santos said in her welcome remarks during the Shell Active Chess Grand Finals.
Sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, the annual Shell Active Chess tournament supports the empowerment of the youth as part of the company’s overall sustainable development commitment. The event is backed by Shell Fuels, Shellane, Shell Helix, and McDonald’s, in partnership with SM Supermalls.