CEBU, Philippines – Cebuano sportsman Felix Balbona exemplified his love for the sport that is closest to his heart until his last breath.
Balbona passed away due to heart attack while playing chess against Jun Kidlat during the grand finals of the annual Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) tournament last Sunday afternoon at Handuraw Pizza Cafe and Resto Bar along Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City.
Balbona and his daughter Jessa were among the qualifiers of CEPCA's year-end 'Battle of Champions' under group B along with Kidlat, Regelito Hortelano, Ruel Hortelano, Elmer Odango, Jerry Maratas, Felix Balbona, Mike Tinga, Jojo Paredes, Michael Ventulan, Edwin Cablao and Romy Pialan.
Kidlat said in the middle of their game, he sensed something was wrong when Balbona suddenly put a pawn beside his rook, which he finds very strange.
Seeing his opponent in discomfort and breaking out in cold sweat, Kidlat quickly called a halt to their match while shouting for an emergency to call the attention of their fellow Cepcans who were all in the thick of action.
It was at this point that Balbona's wife Juliet and the rest of his family members who were with him came to his aid and rushed him to Perpetual Succour Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
It was indeed a poignant moment for the Cepcans as they lost not only a dear friend and a diehard member, but also one of their ardent supporters during their breakthrough event highlighted by the formal launching of their Silver Anniversary commemorative magazine.
"I am deeply saddened by his sudden passing. He was a pure chess lover that even in his breath, he was playing the sport that he really love. But more than that, he was such a good and humble family man. He was a great loss to CEPCA. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his bereaved family," said CEPCA President Jerry B. Maratas.
True enough, Balbona was just a simple man, yet an iconic figure in Cebu chess whose works are worth remembering and emulating for.
Aside from being a regular fixture in almost all big events in Cebu chess, Balbona raised all his children to be chess fanatics like him. He succeeded in that aspect, and churning out champions in the mold of Jessa, Felix Shaun, Marq Gabriel and Jhon Francis is the shining legacy he left behind.
"He was just playing the game he cherished and loved most, when suddenly death appeared uninvited and in a most shocking fashion, struck with blinding swiftness. Just like a thief in the night, catching everyone unaware and unprepared," said former two-time CEPCA President Jun Olis.
"We have lost one of the club's pillar of strength - a kind, generous, unassuming and dedicated family man.You will always be remembered." (FREEMAN)