Philippines, 13 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Cebuano National Master Mario Mangubat zeroes in quest to earn outright International Master title and Grandmaster norms


PhilBoxing.com


MANILA---National Master Mario Mangubat is set to embark on a journey to become the next Filipino International Master.
The 65-year-old Mangubat, the pride of Minglanilla, Cebu will compete in the 2023 Asian Seniors Chess Championships for over-65 years old category from October 14-22, 2023 at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

Direct Grandmaster Title norms and outright International Master Titles plus $3,000 cash prizes are up for grabs in this week-long event, hosted by City of Tagaytay headed by mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. and Cavite Vice Governor Athena Bryana Tolentino under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and International Chess Federation and in cooperation with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.

“We all know how difficult it is to become an IM. But with the support of my family and sponsors like Minglanilla mayor Rajiv Enad and counselors as well Mr. Ernesto Bagamaspad and Mr. John Redelosa, I can reach my dream,” said Mangubat.

Mangubat was a Cebu prodigy. He was the youngest chess champion, winning an open tournament at the age of 10.

By the age of 20, Mangubat made waves in the Philippine sports scene when he upset Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre and National Master Glenn Bordonada in the 1979 Philippine National Chess Championships which held in Intramuros, Manila en route to his coveted National Master title.

Mangubat won against Torre using the white pieces after 36 moves of Sicilian defense in the third round of the tournament that resulted in the latter's (Torre) dimming his chances with a special bonus.

The Toyota car dealer Autosphere announced a special bonus for the tournament that anybody who wins all his games will receive a brand new Toyota Corolla.

"I am so happy beating Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre during the 1979 Philippine National Chess Championships as well National Master Glenn Bordonada," recalled Mangubat who also won 1 gold and 1 silver in the Senior division of the 19th ASEAN+ Age Groups Chess Championships held in Davao City in 2018.

International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, a native of Talisay, Camarines Norte is the defending champion in the said chessfest (Asian Seniors Chess Championships for over-65 years old category).

Bagamasbad finished undefeated with 7.5 points on six victories and three draws including one in the ninth and final round with local bet Paul Beach to claim the crown, an outright International Master title and the first of three norms to become a GM which held in Auckland, New Zealand.-Marlon Bernardino-


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin’s “Mayhem in Music City 2” to Feature Undefeated Vic Hernandez Facing Jayvon Garnett for NABA & Jr. NABF Featherweight Championships
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.