09/09/2026
A good story to share ❤️❤️❤️
They couldn't afford two plane tickets. He went ahead without his dad.
Nine-year-old Bince Rafael Operiano, from Busac, Oas, Albay, qualified to represent the Philippines at the 6th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, in the Under-10 category.
His family didn't have enough money for both his and his father's airfare, so Bince had to fly to Thailand first, without his dad.
In his first games, with no parent there to support him, he struggled. He was reportedly seen crying while other kids had their parents courtside, and he lost his opening matches.
Then his father arrived, after raising funds to follow him. From there, everything changed.
Bince went on to beat competitors from nearly 30 countries across nine rounds, finishing champion of his category and bringing home a trophy and four medals. Athletes are people first, and sometimes the biggest comeback starts the moment someone you love walks through the door.
SOURCE: CNN PHILIPPINES, PNA
DISCLAIMER: Bince was never without adult supervision, per Philippine law and the National Chess Federation. Sources: SPIN.ph, PhilSTAR Life.
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