
Filipino Pride: story of an chess teacher in Thailand
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 11 Jul 2013

NONTHABURI, Thailand ? IT takes a lot of courage, guts and sacrifice for a former English Teacher who gave up his work and try to put up an school of chess in this province renowned for growing the best Durian in the country and located directly northwest of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya river.
"Hindi biro iiwanan mo trabaho mo then mag put up ka ng school of chess sa isang bansa na walang kasigaruduhan kung ano ang mangyayari sa hinaharap," said Henry, founder of the Gainsfield Chess and Language Center in the heart of Nonthaburi.
"Hindi naman kasi kagaya yan ng Go, Bridge na sikat na laro dito sa Thailand bukod sa Snooker," added Henry, five time chess champion of Tarlac province.
"Sa katunayan ang daming mga kaibigan ko na nagulat sa aking binabalak na magtayo ng school of chess dito kasama na ang kumpare kong si Kai (Mr. Kai Tuorila is the Bangkok Chess Club President)."
"Kaya hinihikayat ko y'ung mga kaibigan natin at mga kababayan na tamang tao ang makasama pag may nais kang gawing business sa abroad. Mahirap kasi makipagsapalaran sa ibang bayan pero natitiyak natin na magiging maganda ang buhay nila na kailangan din ng ibayong tiyaga at pagsusumikap," Henry said.
His life's story reveals that being catapulted to a foreign land to work as an OFW is a mishmash of hard toil, profound motivation, and partly, luck in finding the right people who assisted him in his job.
When asked about his advice to Filipinos aspiring to work abroad, Henry said, "You don't need to be very intelligent in fulfilling your dreams. Hard work and determination are essential. And once you've reached the top, make sure to share what you have. Learn how to give back."
Henry is the father of James Henry Calacday, a six year old chess whiz kid, member of the Philippine Age group chess team who gave honor to our country by winning 65 medals in this year's ASEAN Age group plus chess championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The team collected 24 gold medals, 28 silver medals and 13 bronze.
Former University of the Philippines (UP) mainstay Arnulfo 'Arnie" Gavilan, the 2000 Kuala Lumpur Rakan Muda Grand Asian Chess Challenge bronze medallist is the top teacher of Gainsfield Chess and Language Center. -Marlon Bernardino-
Photo (L-R): Gainsfield Chess and Language Center founder and five time Tarlac province chess champion Henry Calacday, Viren and Jiya Panchamatioa, Filipino and United States chess master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. and former University of the Philippines (UP) mainstay Arnulfo 'Arnie" Gavilan, the 2000 Kuala Lumpur Rakan Muda Grand Asian Chess Challenge bronze medallist.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
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 2025Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Kenneth “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 2025Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
By Ralph Rimpell, Thu, 10 Jul 2025Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 10 Jul 2025USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
Thu, 10 Jul 2025Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 10 Jul 2025Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
Thu, 10 Jul 2025Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
Thu, 10 Jul 2025Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
Thu, 10 Jul 20254 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 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
Thu, 10 Jul 2025