Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan

The multi-titled University of Santo Tomas chess team, guided by Candidate Grandmaster Ronald Dableo and Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, will be among the top contenders at the highly anticipated 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge. The event kicks off on January 25, 2026, at the Immaculate Conception Academy Gymnasium in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

It will use a time control format of 15 minutes plus 3 seconds per move, and is led by 2026 Sta. Maria Fiesta Chairman Engr. Jovel Mendoza.

FIDE Rating Category (2250 and Below)

- Champion: ₱12,000 plus trophy and medal

- 2nd Place: ₱6,000 plus trophy and medal

- 3rd Place: ₱3,000 plus trophy and medal

- 4th and 5th Places: ₱2,000 and ₱1,500 respectively, plus medals

- 6th to 8th Places: ₱1,000 each plus medals

- 9th to 10th Places: ₱500 each plus medals

- Additional prizes: ₱1,000 each for top Bulacan resident, top Sta. Maria resident, and top IIEE player

- ₱500 each for top female player, top junior player, and top senior player

Under-17 Non-Master Category

- Champion: ₱5,000 plus trophy, medal, and certificate

- 2nd to 3rd Places: ₱2,500 and ₱1,500 respectively, plus trophies, medals, and certificates

- 4th to 5th Places: ₱1,000 and ₱500 respectively, plus medals and certificates

- 6th to 8th Places: ₱500 each plus medals and certificates

- 9th to 10th Places: ₱400 each plus medals and certificates

- Additional prizes: ₱400 for top Sta. Maria resident and ₱500 for top Bulacan resident

For more details, contact Mr. Normel Benigno de Jesus at mobile number 09057918089.-Marlon Bernardino-