National Open scrabblefest unfurls

CEBU, Philippines - A stellar cast of scrabble players start their bid for supremacy as the 1st Word Wiz Challenge, a National Open Scrabble Tournament, gets underway at 11 a.m. today at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

Lawyer Odette Rio, the country's No.1 player from the province of Iloilo, banners the list of top contenders in the two-day that also include Antonio Malonzo, Peter Ariola and Melvin Dalangin from Luzon, Maxell and Ben Bashier and Abdul Suma from Mindanao.

From the Visayas, the players to watch out for are Cebu's pride Renante de la Cerna, Joel Toroy, Jowar Ayuno, Louise Tan, Grade Paredes and Kyle Vilbar.

Interestingly, Nigerian national Julius Tambou is listed under the pro open division.

High school and elementary players will also strut their wares including those from the University of the Visayas, University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu City National Science High School, University of Cebu, University of San Carlos, Cebu Eastern College, Cebu Institute of Technology-University, Kiddiehaus School of Learning, H Redwood School, St. Ignatius Learning Center, Sisters of Mary Boystown, Mabolo, Zapatera, Labangon and Cebu City Central School among others.

The elementary and high school entries will test each other's mettle for 10 rounds, while the college and pro class will follow a 14-round, King of the Hill format.

Don Epe of the organizing Big Events Marketing and Promotions said they will be accepting on-site registration an hour before the tournament starts. — (FREEMAN)