At age 64, Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. continues to impress the Philippine chess community as the 13-time Philippine Open champion recently took part in a 30-game simultaneous chess exhibition during the Pagadian One Chess Movement (OCM) chessfest on June 12, 2026 at Gaisano Capital in Pagadian City.
Antonio won 25 matches, drew four and lost one.
The veteran chess campaigner was beaten by Epaphras Lumingkit of Tigbao Town, Zamboanga del Sur.
The 30-boardsimultaneous exhibition was jointly organized by One Chess Movement and the PagZamsur Professional Chess Players Association. Itwas established to showcase and develop grassroots chess talent in the country.
"I would like to thank OCM founding chairman and President Dr. Ariel ‘Apo’ Potot and OCM Southern Mindanao chess organizer Mr. Jezreel Lopez for inviting me to do simultaneous exhibition games here in Pagadian City," said Antonio.
Antonio is also scheduled to do simultaneous exhibition chess matches on June 20 in Lipa City, Batangas upon the invitation of Mayor Eric Africa and the JCI Senate Lipa.
"This rare 30-board simultaneous chess exhibition is not about winning or to do duel with an invited grand master but to give you an opportunity to gather, to know each other, and to have fun in through sports," said Potot.
Antonio, meanwhile, is set to compete in the Asean Seniors Chess Championships on Aug. 7-17, 2026, in Singapore organized by Ignatius Leong.
In last year’s edition of the seniors competition in Malaysia hosted by See Swee Sie, Antonio captured four gold medals, one silver medal and three bronze medals.
Antonio, known in the chess community as the “Iron Man” for his longevity and resiliency, also topped the blitz event of the 33rd FIDE World Senior Chess Championship held at the Grand Hotel Costa Brada in Gallipoli, Italy last year.
The Singapore chess circuit campaign is a part of the preparation of Antonio who is scheduled to represent the country in the FIDE World Senior Chess Championships on Nov. 2-15, 2026 in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia.
Antonio placed second in the standard chess event of the 27th World Seniors Chess Championships in Italy in 2017.