NEWLY crowned national women’s chess champion Ruelle Canino will spearhead the Far Eastern University team seeing action in the Bangkok Open 2024 slated April 13 to 21 at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa in Thailand.
The 15-year-old Canino made history by becoming one of the youngest to rule the national meet set a month ago in Malolos, Bulacan while earning her a spot in the Philippine women’s squad seeing action in the FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary this September.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity na makapag-represent sa ibang bansa na ibang level na tournament gaya ng Olympiad,” said Canino.
“These past few days, ‘yung ginagawa ko lang po talaga is tuloy-tuloy na training po like what sir Jayson (Gonzales) said na kailangan din po talaga ng consistency sa training atsaka po disiplina sa sarili para magtuloy-tuloy yung performance ko,” she added.
The Cagayan de Oro-born wonder girl will use this tournament as she pursues another goal—to become a Woman International Master.
“Next target niya (Canino) is WIM,” said Gonzales, who is also national women’s team coach and National Chess Federation of the Philippines chief executive officer.
Joining Canino in the tough tournament are Vic Glysen Derotas, Mary Joy Tan, Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian, Bea Mendoza, Jasmine Rizalyn Tejada, Shaina Magne Romanillos, Franklin Lloyd Andes, Jerish John Velarde, Oscar Joseph Cantela, Lemuel Jay Adena, Ritchie James Abeleda, Zeus Paglinawan, Samantha Umayan, April Joy Claros, Kate Nicole Ordizo and Arleah Cassandra Sapuan.
The squad is supported by FEU chair Aurelio “Gigi” Montinola, president Juan Miguel Montinola, Manila athletics director Mark Molina and Diliman executive director Dr. Armi Cunanan-Yabut.
Apart from Canino, FEU has also produced national champions and Grandmasters like Gonzales himself, Bong Villamayor and WGM Janelle Mae Frayna.