by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA---Jose Vicente D. Mapa III, who is better known by his screen name Jao Mapa is set to compete in the  Atty. Elpidio Bautista Jr. National Executive Chess Championship which will be held in Vista Mall, Brgy. Don Jose, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna on December 30, 2023.

Mapa is best known for his Pepsi-Cola advertisement. He started a modeling career in the late 1990s, and co-hosted television variety shows like Eat Bulaga! and ASAP. He first starred in the movie Pare Ko in 1995, and left show business in 2000 to study art.
In 2000, he took a break from his showbiz career and went back to school to earn his degree in Fine Arts (major in Advertising) at the University of Santo Tomas. He graduated in 2003 and continued to paint. He had his first major show at Grey Gallery in Antipolo, Rizal in 2012.
"It's an honor to play in the upcoming Atty. Elpidio Bautista Jr. National Executive Chess Championship which will be held in Vista Mall, Brgy. Don Jose, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna on December 30, 2023," said Mapa.
Organized by the Rotary Club of Nuvali & Philippine Executive Chess Association and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, the event is sponsored by Atty and Mrs Elpidio R. Bautista Jr. and Family, Mr. Elmer and Mrs Elaine Gardiola of Newington, Inc., Mr. Gerry and Mrs. Racquel Vano, Mr. Dino and Mrs Marissa Del Castillo, Mr. Oliver Enriquez of  Powelflo Solutions, Mr. George and Evelyn Cheng of TeamQuest Technology, Inc., Mr. Froi Aniag of Richetec Group of Companies (RGC), Mr. Manny and Alyanna Gardiola Siycha of Redinex Construction and Trading Inc.,  Mr. Ian and Mrs Lot Dimaranan, Mr Larry and Mrs. Liza Portiz, Mr Rey and Mrs Lina Cancio of MRLC Transport Cars, Inc., Mr Edgar and Mrs Lea Japco of Translink Logistics Inc, Mr. JM and Mrs Jane Dumaraos, Mr Kenneth & Mrs Ginely Espiritu of Share the Spirit, Allen Zhang of Vision Property, Lira and Edwin Capco, Jess and Rose Espiritu, WillCatz Enterprise, Rod and Josephine Panaligan,  Mr. Luis and Mrs. Emma Caragan, Mr. David Nithyananthan and Mrs. Renalyn David and Chooks-to-Go.

Caption photo:
TV actor Jao Mapa (right) shook hands with Filipino and United States chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. before the start of the game.