26/10/2025
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19 October 2025. Seoul, Republic of Korea - The ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ, through the ๐๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ (๐๐๐) and the ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง (๐๐๐๐), successfully hosted the First ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ: ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฑ at the Hana Bank Head Office, in partnership with the Philippine E9 Chess Club and KEB Hana Bank.
The event brought together more than 40 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), chess qualifiers from various regions of Korea, for a day of camaraderie, friendly competition, and mental challenge through the timeless game of chess. More than a sporting event, the OWWA Cup served as a venue to promote mental wellness, focus, and stress relief - an initiative aligned with ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ง๐ง๐ โ๐๐โ๐๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐งโ๐ฌ ๐๐-๐๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐: ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง, which underscores the importance of providing OFWs with avenues for relaxation, balance, and recreation amid their demanding work environments abroad.
In her inspirational message, ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐๐ก๐ฬ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐. ๐๐ฎ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ณ highlighted MWO & OWWAโs continuing efforts to organize meaningful community activities that nurture both the mind and spirit of overseas Filipino workers.
๐.๐. ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐๐จ๐ซ-๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ ๐. ๐
๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ง๐๐๐ณ graced the event and delivered an inspiring address that drew parallels between chess and the life of an OFW: โJust like in chess, where every move requires thought and courage, our OFWs continue to make wise moves in life, sacrificing for their families while bringing pride to the nation.โ she said. Ambassador-designate Fernandez also extended her gratitude to partners KEB Hana Bank and the Philippine E-9 Chess Club for their collaboration and support in making the event possible.
The tournament was formally opened with a ceremonial match between Ambassador-designate Fernandez and Labor Attachรฉ Duquez, after which the participants engaged in friendly yet competitive rounds that showcased their discipline, patience, and strategic skill. The event concluded with the awarding of winners and a message of thanks from ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐. ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐จ, who lauded the participants for embodying the Filipino spirit of resilience, unity, and sportsmanship.
Through initiatives like the OWWA Cup: 2025 Chess Grand Prix, the Embassy, through the MWO and OWWA, reaffirms its commitment to the holistic welfare of OFWs - not only through reintegration and livelihood programs but also by nurturing their mental health and emotional well-being. By promoting recreation and healthy competition, OWWA continues to provide overseas Filipinos with meaningful opportunities to rest, reconnect, and recharge. END
