Governor Eleanor “Leah” C. Bulut-Begtang rewarded WNM Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian with a brand-new laptop and pledged monetary incentives for her latest historical achievement in chess, being the 1st Apayao Chess Master and the 1st ever Woman National Master in the Cordillera Administrative Region and in the Far Northern Luzon at the age of 15.
Gov. Leah commended WNM Sebastian for carrying the Apayao flag in national and international chess tournaments. She encouraged Sebastian to continue what she is doing and push even further to achieve more in the royal game. “Itultuloy mo daytoy narugyam ken aglalaing ka pay tapno nangatngato pay ti maragpat mo (continue what you started and hone further your skills and you will achieve more),” she said.
WNM Sebastian thanked the governor for her full support. WNM Sebastian said without the support of the Provincial Government, Municipal Local Government Units as well as the kind-hearted individuals, athletes cannot go far.
With this title, WNM Sebastian has put once again the name of Apayao in the chess map of the country. Feared and respected over the board, WNM Sebastian has long list of chess achievements since she formally started playing chess at the age of six. One of the career highlights of WNM Sebastian is her inclusion in the regular Philippine National Woman Chess Team last year at the age of 14, the current youngest member of the team.
Before heading to Far Eastern University, she raked gold medals for Apayao during the Cordillera Administrative Regional Athletic Association (CARAA) Meets and represented the Cordillera in the Palarong Pambansa Thrice, once in Ilocos Norte when she was in Grade IV. In UAAP Season 82, her first appearance, she bagged the Rookie of the Year award and got the silver medal in Board 1.
She already went abroad 10 times in seven different countries and consistently brought home gold medals during the ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships. Currently, she is the Top Board player and team captain of FEU Baby Tamaraw High School Chess Team.
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