AWARDS, PROMOTIONS, TRIBUTES
The 10-year SacDOT Chess King - Willie "Tatang" Vergara
Willie won in 34 moves playing white with the Queen's Gambit Declined variation.
Of course this should not go unnoticed. A UP Betan is still at it and doing his craft extremely well. Quietly, he reaped such honor for our brotherhood and our skin-deep trademark as Diliman Republic citizens. From Tambayan to Vinzon's Hall, chessboards were a fixture of UP Beta Sigma like music, fine arts, martial arts, journalism, college politics, and academic excellence in other fields like law, medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, forestry and athletics. We also shined in government service, corporate, business, enterprenaurship, broadcast and print and the performing arts as well.
Tatang is near retirement age but he refused to fade away just like that. He
showed those board addicts that a Filipino from Ilocoslovakia can sprint way way
ahead of the group. Whether the source of his Kasparov agility came from Vigan
longanisa or maritantang, the Sacramento transportation guys bit the dust in
shock.
Cheers to you Willie Vergara. You won the tournament for us who are not looking.
I recommend watching that series "Game of Thrones." The characters are
chess figures in the flesh.
rgr'66
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Thx so much for the accolade, ex-Prez Rolly. This particular championship is
special to me (my 10th in the last 12 years). This annual event is held mid-year
but there was clamor to hold it earlier in the year "to take the championship
away before I retire." I've won in a level playing field. In my career as an
immigrant, I passed senior management eligibility tests but was never invited
for interview. Sa chess lang ako nakabawi.Sabi ng top boss, "You like beating
the guys, huh?" In fairness, the US has been good to me in so many other ways
though, so I'm not complaining.
I will see you in July for the fratball, mga beloveds.
Before I end, I'd like to say three things: First, for the skill of the game,
I'd like to thank Brod Cedric Gloria(+) my mentor and inspiration in this game.
TY also to Brods Gil Marzo, Vic Ulanday, Perry Callanta, Bobby Manansala, Ruben
Medina, Gary Flores, Jun Reyes, Don Reyes(+) and Kino Aquino(+) for excelling in this
royal game as well. More brods were in the UP Chess Team when I left the campus
in 1970. It's true what RGR said. UP Chess was dominated by Betans.
Secondly, pls know that the top player in the US and second only to World Champ
Magnus Carlsen is Filipino GM Wesley So. Thirdly, the perennial President of
International Chess (FIDE - Federation International De Echess) was no other
than the great FLORENCIO CAMPOMANES*, UPD Batch 46, a cum laude
graduate A.B. Political Science at UP, M.A. at Brown University and doctoral
studies at Georgetown University.
Cheers!
Tatang
*Web note: Below is a bio of Brod Florencio Campomanes, Founding Batch 1946. To read our complete tribute for Brod "Campo", go to Milestones>In Memoriam, or simply click here.
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