Monthly champs clash in CEPCA grand finals today

CEBU, Philippines - Judgment day beckons for the champions of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association monthly tournament as they test each other's skills in the highly-anticipated grand finals today at Lola Saling's Place in Brgy. Casuntingan, Mandaue City.

The competition promptly starts at 1 pm wherein all 12 winners of the monthly qualifying will clash in a friendly, yet highly competitive battle mainly for personal pride and bragging rights as the brightest CEPCA player of the year.

Those who will slug it out in the final action are lawyer Jong Melendez, Percival Fiel, Rey Flores, Freddie Casagan, Maggie Dionson, Manny Abucay, Francisco 'Jun' Kidlat, Jr., Peterson Sia, Harrison Chua, Domy Pialan, NM Arnold Cadiz, and Jimmy Ty, Jr. They finalists are a mix of professionals in various fields both from public and private sectors.

To make the event more exciting for the Cepcans, the club will also be holding a non-qualifiers tournament. Registration fee is pegged at P500 inclusive of a sumptuous dinner during the simple get-together and Christmas party to cap their day. The games will be supervised by CEPCA sports committee chairman Jun Olis and FIDE Arbiter Marvin Y. Ruelan.

The other highlight of the affair is the induction of CEPCA officers for 2014-2015 led by their president  Engr. Jerry Maratas.

At 34 years old, Maratas is one of the youngest ever elected presidents of the club's 23 years of existence.

A civil and structural engineer, Maratas owns Jemar Engineering Services that specializes in civil and structural design of medium and high-rise buildings. He is also a faculty member in the Engineering Department of the University of San Carlos (USC).

Completing the new set of CEPCA officers are Marvyne Guardiana (VP External), Dante Arguelles (VP Internal), Jun Olis (Secretary), Jun Kidlat (Treasurer); Ruel Hortelano (Auditor); and Mandy Baria and Jojo Muralla (Board Members). Muralla is the club's immediate past president.— EBV (FREEMAN)