ILOILO CITY — Twin sisters Thea Grace and Mica Claire Clar are turning heads in Philippine chess after both clinched three golds and a silver at the recent Palarong Pambansa. Now, the 13‑year‑old prodigies are set to represent the country at the 24th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships in Singapore this August.
A Father’s Gift Sparks a Lifelong Passion
The sisters’ journey began at age six, when their father taught them the moves on a simple board at home. What started as a bonding activity quickly became a serious pursuit. The family nurtured the girls’ talent, spending countless hours studying openings, endgames, and classic matches.
By ten, the twins were already winning local tournaments, their identical intensity at the board earning them the nickname “the dynamic duo.” They pushed each other in practice, turning sibling rivalry into a powerful engine for improvement. Their father’s early lessons had planted seeds that were now blooming into national prominence.
A Historic Haul at Palarong Pambansa
At this year’s national games, the Clar sisters delivered a performance for the record books. Each twin bagged three gold medals and one silver, sweeping the standard, blitz, and team events while also claiming a runner‑up finish. Their synchronized success drew cheers from the Ilonggo crowd.
The medals confirmed what many coaches had long suspected: the sisters possess not only raw talent but also unshakeable composure under pressure. In a sport where one miscalculated move can erase hours of careful planning, the twins remain remarkably calm. They treat every game as a puzzle to be solved together.
Scholarships and a Ticket to Singapore
National University recognized their potential and awarded both sisters athletic scholarships, securing their academic and chess development. The scholarship covers tuition and training expenses, allowing the girls to focus fully on their craft. It is a significant investment in two young athletes poised for international careers.
In August, the twins will don the Philippine flag at the 24th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships in Singapore. The tournament, held at Our Tampines Hub from August 7 to 17, offers direct Candidate Master and Woman Candidate Master titles for podium finishers. The sisters will compete against the region’s best youth players.
A City That Cheers Its Champions
Mayor Raisa Treñas welcomed the Clar sisters at city hall, calling them proud daughters of Iloilo. She told them to keep enjoying the game, stay grounded, and remember that the entire city is behind them. Her words reflected a community that has embraced its young heroes.
Iloilo has been cultivating a vibrant chess culture, hosting tournaments like the Mayor Raisa Treñas Chess Tournament that give young woodpushers a competitive platform. The Clar sisters are proof that such grassroots programs can produce world‑class talent. Their success inspires other children across the city to pick up a chessboard.
