Miciano eyes IM title
AFTER earning the Fide Master (FM) title and one International Master (NM) norm early this month in the 9th Penang Heritage City International Chess Open, FM John Marvin Miciano eyes two more norms next year for an international master (IM) title.
But the 17-year-old Far Eastern University (FEU) senior high school student, in yesterday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum held at The Annex of SM City Davao, said he needed to constantly join international events to accomplish his mission.
Miciano plans to hold a a three-month campaign in Europe in 2018, hoping to earn the two IM norms he lacks.
But it would cost them a huge amount of money to be able to push through with the plan, thus, they are seeking seek for financial support.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) already allocated budget for the said campaign since Philippine's Women Grand Master (WGM) Janelle Mae Frayna is also going.
"Meron na actually budget for that event pero kailangan pa naming maghanap ng additional finances para makasabay si John Marvin. Kasi we are not talking thousands but million para maka sustain doon ng three months sa Europe," John Marvin's mother Ma. Teresa said, adding that there are many events lined up next year but they could not send their son to most due to funding constraints.
Miciano, meanwhile, said his coach GM Gonzales motivates him to become a GM at age of 20.
"Hanggang 20 years old po yung binigay ni coach (Gonzales) na time frame ko. Kailangan maabot yung above 2400 na rating," Miciano shared.
At his age, Miciano is the number one rated under 18 woodpusher in the Philippines and ranked five in the under 20 with an existing rating of 2250 rating.
He also thanked PSC chairman William "Butch" Ramirez, National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero Pichay, Governor Lala Taliño Mendoza, lawyer Cliburn Orbe, GM Gonzales and his former coach Richard Bitoon, NCFP vice president for Mindanao Mayor Herlo Guzman and Manual Orig for supporting in his recent campaigns.