International Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Zamboanga City completed a remarkable sweep in the open under-20 division by winning the individual gold medal in standard, rapid and blitz events at the 24th ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Singapore from Aug. 7 to 17, 2026.
Arca also towed the Philippine team to the gold medal in standard chess and silver medals in rapid and blitz.
Overall, he went home with four gold medals and two silvers.
"I would like to dedicate my victory to my family, friends, supporters and to our country," said the 17-year-old Arca, whose trip is being supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman and president Prospero Pichay Jr. and former Senator Manny Pacquiao.
The NCFP also hailed the achievement of Arca for elevating Philippine chess in the international scene.
Fide Master Arlan Cabe, who hails from San Fabian in Pangasinan, topped the seniors 50 standard event and earned an outright International Master title.
Cabe became the first Filipino senior player to obtain a direct IM title through the ASEAN + Age-Group Chess Championships.
Iana Angela Sotaridona of Iloilo, meanwhile, topped the girls under-16 standard event and earned an automatic Woman FIDE Master title, subject to reaching the required standard Fide rating of 1900.
She currently has a rating of 1828 but will earn 46 points after her performance in Singapore.
Mar Aviel Caredo of Dasmarinas City also earned the direct Candidate Master title following his performance in the open under-16 standard event.
Carmelita Abanes of Daet, Camarines Norte earned a Woman International Master norm in the Women's Senior 50 division after a silver medal finish in the standard event.
She, however, won individual gold medals in the rapid and blitz events.
The most dominant player among the Filipino delegates was 5-year-old Jodiel Chloe Banawa of Alicia, Isabela who won six gold medals for the girls under-6 individual and team categories in standard, rapid and blitz.
Team Philippines, which fielded 672 players, finished second in the overall medal tally with 83 medals broken down to 24 golds, 36 silvers and 23 bronzes.
Vietnam topped the medal standings while India finished third.
