CEBU CITY, (Philippines): A nine-year-old chess prodigy from Talisay City, Cebu, who had already won several major titles and was preparing for a shot at the Philippine National Chess Championship, was laid to rest on Thursday (Nov 5) afternoon, days after he died of dengue.
Phil Rholand M. Templonuevo died on Oct 29 after being hospitalized for a high fever and later diagnosed with dengue.
His death cut short a promising chess career that had already brought him multiple championships, including three consecutive Mayor’s Cup titles and a Batang Pinoy national championship.
Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas visited the young chess player’s wake in Barangay Tabunok, paid tribute to Templonuevo’s achievements, and offered condolences to his family.
From Mayor’s Cup champion to national contender
Templonuevo began developing his chess skills through the city’s Summer Sports and Performing Arts Workshop Summer Clinic, where he discovered his interest in the game.
He went on to win the Mayor’s Cup championship in the Under-8 category for three consecutive years, from 2023 to 2025.
He also became the Batang Pinoy Under-9 champion while representing Cebu City and qualified for the Philippine National Chess Championship Semi-Finals. He had earned a Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), or International Chess Federation, rating of 1,679.
Gullas described Templonuevo as a talented and determined young player whose achievements had made him known in the local chess community despite his age.
The mayor also recalled that the child had just participated in the District Meet on Saturday, Oct 24, before he was hospitalized days later.
Hospitalised after developing fever
According to Gullas, Templonuevo was brought to the hospital on Monday, Oct 26, after developing a high fever. He was later diagnosed with dengue.
A separate account said the family had not known that the child was already carrying the illness and sought hospital care after he had experienced symptoms for nearly a week.
He died on Oct 29, after spending less than a week in the hospital, according to the reports.
His death came days before he was expected to compete in the Philippine National Chess Championship as part of the country’s national team selection process.
Family holds chess tournament in his honour
Fellow chess players from different parts of Cebu gathered on Wednesday evening, Nov 4, for a mini-tournament organised by Templonuevo’s family in his honour.
The event was held on the eve of his burial, allowing members of the chess community to remember the young player through the sport he had pursued.
Gullas said Templonuevo’s passing left a deep sense of loss among his family, friends, and fellow chess players.
Beyond his titles and achievements, the mayor remembered him as a child whose passion for chess had inspired others.
Dengue cases in Cebu
Templonuevo’s death comes amid a period when Cebu province recorded 1,580 dengue cases and eight related deaths over four weeks, from the last week of September to the third week of October 2026, according to the Cebu Provincial Health Office (PHO).
PHO head Dr Sheila Faciol reported 296 cases from Sept 21 to 27, followed by 390 cases from Sept 28 to Oct 4.
Cases rose further to 451 from Oct 5 to 11 before slightly declining to 443 from Oct 12 to 18.
The province also recorded two dengue-related deaths each week during the four-week reporting period, bringing the total to eight.
To address the cases, the PHO has been conducting fogging operations in different municipalities, distributing chemicals to combat mosquitoes and providing NS1 dengue test kits.
Hospitals also continued to maintain dengue fast lanes to speed up the assessment and treatment of patients suspected of having the illness. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
