After 3 tries in his visa application, Filipino GM Joey is now set to conquer the Australian Chess circuit
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 06 Apr 2025
Manila---Filipino Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio, Jr. is now set to conquer the Australian Chess circuit after his visa application was approved on the third try by the Australian Embassy in Manila.
"Thank God after 3 tries, finally my Australian visa was granted. Leaving tonight (Saturday) via PAL (Philippine Airlines). A month-long tournament in Australia-Melbourne,Canberra & Sydney. Thank you David Almirol, Theo Panga, Bert Cunan, Hayme Santoast (Col.Jaime Osit Santos), PSC ,NCFP, Manny Pacquiao and Benhur Abalos," said Antonio.
"I will do my very best, for the flag and country," he added.
A 13-time Philippine Open champion, Antonio is competing in the Melbourne International Open Chess Tournament to be held at Melbourne from April 7-14, 2025, the 2025 O2C Doeberl Cup Chess Tournament to be held at Canberra from April 17 - 21 2025, and the Sydney International Open 2025 to be held at Sydney from April 23-27, 2025.
The 63-year-old Quezon City resident Antonio is fresh from winning the 3rd D' Engineer's Cup rapid chess tournament dubbed as the Armageddon Battle of Champions held at the Koten Enterprises Inc. Corporate office in F.B. Harrison Street, Pasay City last March 8, 2025.
The Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro native Antonio also won second place behind eventual champion Grandmaster Daniel Maravilla Quizon in the DG's Cup 2025 Invitational chess tournament at the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Auditorium, DD Dragon Center Meridian Park Building, 10th floor, Double Dragon , Pasay City last March 14, 2025.
Antonio is also scheduled to represent the country in the FIDE (World Chess Federation) World Seniors Chess Championship on October 20 to November 2 in Gallipoli, Puglia, Italy.-Marlon Bernardino-
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