Early in the morning of September 15, the participants, together with their coaches and parents, spilled all over the mall entrance waiting patiently for the mall to open. Half hour before the tourney opening, contenders already formed into groups waiting for the pairing list to be posted on the board. The participants, numbering to 766, were composed of 492 Kiddies and 274 Juniors.
(Left photo) Participants concentrating on the game; (Middle photo) Pilipinas Shell Regional Distribution Assistant for Visayas and Mindanao Gene Abrantes (leftmost) with the Juniors division winners (from left) Bryan Jose, Jay Bulicatin, Randolph Christopher Dalauta, and Jan Mar Hondonero. Everyone donned their Shell Active Chess shirts and showed excitement as the opening ceremony was about to start. Councilor Leo Avila III from the first district of Davao, who came to represent Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, inspired the participants with his lively yet moving message. "I am not only here to officially represent Mayor Duterte but also to show my support to Shell Active Chess. For 13 years now, the Shell Active Chess has attracted thousands of chess enthusiasts all over the country and has produced prominent chess grand masters. Pilipinas Shell has indeed contributed significantly to the promotion of sports among our youth," said Avila III. Avila III is the former Vice Chairman of Davao City Chess Development Program. Following Avila III in thanking Shell for staging the tournament and in inspiring the youth is Commissioner of Philippine Sports Commission Leon Montemayor.  |
Pilipinas Shell Regional Manager - Retail Mindanao Jojo Conde and Leo Avila III rendered the ceremonial move to officially open the tournament witnessed by Leon Montemayor, Shell chess coordinator in Davao James Infiesto, Moises Labura from the Office of the Mayor - Davao City, and a representative from the Gaisano Mall of Davao.
After the two-day heated competition for prestigious slots in the grand finals which will happen on October 15-16, 2005 at the Entertainment City of SM City North EDSA in Quezon City, those who have weathered the challenges of getting to the top emerged triumphant. In the Juniors division, Panabo National High School bet Jay Bulicatin topped the leg championship with a score of 6.5 and Bucholz of 33.5. Bryan Jose of Pilgrim Christian College in Cagayan de Oro City copped second place while Randolph Christopher Dalauta of Corpus Christi School in Cagayan de Oro won third place. Fourth place went to Jan Mar Hondonero of University of Mindanao in Tagum City while Dillon Intila of Holy Trinity College in General Santos City settled for fifth place.
In the kiddies division, 14-year old Jerwell Andoy of Jose Maria College in Davao City reigned with a perfect score of 7.0 points and Bucholz of 34.5. Eleven-year old Clark Kent Anabieza of Doña Nenita Floirendo Elementary School in Panabo City copped second place while third place went to 14-year old Jeffrey Jay Alonday from the Assumption College of Davao City. Fourth place went to 13-year old John Clark Aunso of Teofilo V. Fernandez Elementary School in Davao City while 14-year old Jonathan Aljas of Holy Cross Academy of Sasa in Davao settled for fifth place. The top 3 finalists in both divisions will compete in the grand finals of the Shell Active Chess. Pilipinas Shell Regional Manager - Retail Mindanao Jojo Conde (seated, left) and Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Leon Montemayor during the ceremonial moves witnessed by Councilor Leo Avila III (standing, 2nd from left) together with guests and tournament officials. Winners of special awards were Dawn Grace Pacana of V.S. Bangoy Elementary School in Toril, Davao City (Overall Top Female Player); 5-year old Erbel Liwanan of Proverbs Preschool in Panacan, Davao City (Youngest Player); Mintal Comprehensive National High School in Davao City (School Most Represented - Juniors Division with 125 players); and Magallanes Elementary School in Davao City (School Most Represented - Kiddies Division with 95 players). Pilipinas Shell Regional Distribution Assistant for Visayas and Mindanao Gene Abrantes led the awarding ceremonies of Shell Active Chess in Davao, the first leg for Mindanao, which was held on September 17-18, 2005 at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall of Davao. Cagayan de Oro is the last leg of the Shell annual chess tourney and the second leg for Mindanao which will be held on October 1-2, 2005 at the Lim KetKai of Cagayan de Oro City.
| 
