House lauds nine-year old chess prodigy Bince Rafael Operiano of Albay
THE House of Representatives adopted on Monday a resolution congratulating nine-year old chess prodigy Bince Rafael Operiano for winning the 6th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship held in Bangkok, Thailand from November 4 to 12, 2022.
Operiano, who hails from Barangay Busac, Municipality of Oas, Province of Albay, dominated the competition involving 29 contenders from different countries, advancing through the nine rounds and finally bagging the gold medal.
Born on October 24, 2013 to parents Ben Operiano and Rosemary Roblico Operiano, the grade-three pupil from San Isidro Elementary School in Oas, Albay, qualified for the tournament in Bangkok, Thailand when he won the National Youth and Schools Chess Championship Grand Finals Boys Under 9 Category held at the Dapitan City Cultural Complex in Zamboanga del Norte in September 2022.
“In winning the chess championship in the international arena, Bince Operiano brought immense pride to the Filipino people and inspired his peers and the future generations of chess players to achieve greatness despite the odds that are stacked against them,” House Resolution (HR) No. 576 said.
HR No. 576 was adopted in consolidation with HR Nos. 541, 542, 565, and 568.
“Even at a tender age of nine, Bince Rafael Operiano of Oas, Albay has already accomplished the great feat of representing and bringing honor and glory to the country, and his exemplary performance deserves utmost commendation, admiration, and distinction,” it added.
HR No. 576 was introduced by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino C. Libanan, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, and Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre, and other lawmakers.
Despite the challenges due to financial difficulties, Operiano emerged victorious because of his “determination to win, the loving support of his parents, and the financial assistance of Filipinos who believed in his outstanding skills in chess.”
According to the resolution, Operiano started competing at the age of six even without proper training and coach, and was declared the champion in his first competition in the boys Under 8 category at the Albay Astrodome in 2020.
