Ellaine Summer Abanco, a student athlete from STI West Negros University, collected five gold medals in chess at the Negros Island Region Athletic Association (NIRAA) Meet 2026 held in Silay City from March 2 to 6, 2026.
Abanco dominated the secondary girls chess tournament by topping the standard and rapid individual events and capturing the gold in the blitz, rapid and standard chess team events.
With her remarkable performance, Abanco will advance to the 2026 Palarong Pambansa to be held in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur in May.
Abanco, who is also a Batang Pinoy gold medalist, will represent the Negros Island Region and will carry the banner of STI West Negros University, when she competes against the best chess players from other regions at the annual Palarong Pambansa.
She will be accompanied by her coach Leo Romitman, trainer Ernie Abanco and chaperone Janine Pialan-Parreño.