Little Chess Prodigy Hailed as Youngest Natatanging Pasigueño Awardee
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 27 Aug 2024
Last August 26, 2024, in celebration of National Heroes Day, Pasig City awarded its modern-day heroes in its Gawad Parangal sa Mga Natatanging Pasigueño at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig. 12-year-old Nika Juris Nicolas made history as the youngest awardee of the Natatanging Pasigueño in the Field of Sports & Sports Development.
Born, raised and educated in Pasig City, Nicolas, an incoming Grade 7 student at Victory Christian International School, is the Philippines’ first and only National Chess Master who is female, a title given only to those who emerge triumphant in the Open Division of chess tournaments as opposed to the Women Division. In an astonishingly short span of two years, this chess beginner blossomed to a National Youth Champion, Asian Youth Medalist, Woman National Master, Eastern Asia Silver Medalist, Batang Pinoy Champion, National Master and Woman Candidate Master (FIDE)- Elect.
In her acceptance speech, Nicolas thanked her family, nominators Franco Camillo of Pasig Grassroots and Raymond Samson of the Valle Verde 6 Homeowners‘Association, Coaches Raul Damuy, Lourecel Ecot, Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. She made special mention of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and Pasig Congressman Roman Romulo who supported her journey from the time she started competing in tournaments up to present time. For this reason, she offered her Double Gold Medals secured from the Chinese Taipei Chess Association International Open Tournament held in Taoyuan, Taiwan last July 22 – 27, 2024 where she made history as the First Filipina to achieve such feat.
Pasig Councilor and Chairperson of the Committee on Culture and Tourism Angelu De Leon noted that the Gawad Parangal sa Mga Natatanging Pasigueño is a longstanding tradition of Pasig in recognizing the lives and achievements of outstanding Pasigueños which was first celebrated on the 421st Araw ng Pasig in 1994. She added that since its inception, this award has evolved through decades as a source of great pride and inspiration for Pasigueños everywhere. The 2024 Selection Committee for the Award consisted of luminaries in their respective fields namely Mr. Aljon Patrick Acupan, Mr. Jared Carlo L. Echevarria, Mr. Randy Carlos Guevarra, Dr. Wensley M. Reyes, Mr. Noel T. Rivera, Ms. Maria Victoria L. Santiago and Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres.
The other recipients of the Natatanging Pasigueño Award 2024 are Dr. Nestor T. Castro (Education and the Academe), William I. Sidayon, Jr. (Civic Involvement and Volunteerism), Francis Gabriel O. Santos (Youth Leadership), Cipriano M. De Guzman, Jr. (Culture and the Arts – Music), Stephen T. Viñas (Culture and the Arts – Theatre), Christopher Simoun C. Andres (Culture and the Arts - Fashion Design) and Victor Francesco C. Cham (Culture and the Arts – Painting).-Marlon Bernardino -
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Sun, 08 Feb 2026Lucky "Batang Quiapo" Salvador defeats Rhaky "Roj" Constantino
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 07 Feb 2026Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 06 Feb 2026WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026“Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
Thu, 05 Feb 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026