Filipina Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna wins historic gold in Abu Dhabi

Filipina Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna wins historic gold in Abu Dhabi

Yoniel Acebuche 

Philstar Global

24 August 2025

Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna made history as the first Filipina to be crowned champion of the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival – Ladies Blitz.

Frayna dominated the competition, besting 120 participants from 24 countries with an undefeated score of eight points, securing seven wins and two draws.

"Despite the tough international competition, Frayna demonstrated her trademark grit and brilliance, securing the gold for the Philippines," the National Chess Federation of the Philippines said in a congratulatory Facebook post. 

The Filipina sealed her victory with a final-round draw against Uzbek International Master Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova.

"This is my first time playing in the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival. Thank you to our Pinoy friends who made us feel at home," Freyna said in her post on Aug. 17.

"It's one tough tournament, but I will surely give my best."

Frayna, a 29-year-old enlisted army personnel from Bicol, was awarded the title of Woman Grandmaster by Fédération Internationale des Échecs or International Chess Federation in 2017, becoming the first from the Philippines to achieve this.  

A proud alumna of FEU, Frayna was also named as co-recipient of the UAAP Season 77 Athlete of the Year award. 

In the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, she won two bronze medals for the women's rapid chess event and the women's individual blitz.

PH investments surge over 500% in Q3

PH investments surge over 500% in Q3, driven by local investors

Story by Alden Monzon

Inquirer.net

16 November 2024

Philippine government-approved investments surged over sixfold in the third quarter of this year, with nearly 75 percent coming from local investors.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), total approved investments from foreign and Filipino sources reached P541.29 billion from July to September, up 542.1% compared to P84.29 billion in the same period in 2023.

“Approved investments of foreign and Filipino nationals in the third quarter of 2024 were expected to generate a total of 33,727 employment,” the PSA said.

These investment amounts were reported by 10 government investment promotion bodies.

These are the Board of Investments (BOI), Bases Conversion and Development Authority, BOI-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Clark Development Corp., Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Poro Point Management Corp., Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority.

Filipino money

Investments from Filipinos accounted for 72.9 percent of the total, reaching P394.54 billion.

This led to a whopping 599.79-percent from the P56.38 billion recorded in the third quarter of last year.

Meanwhile, investments from foreign sources accounted for 27.11 percent of the total, amounting to P146.75 billion.

Big jump

It jumped to P146.75 billion, marking a 434.4-percent increase from the P27.46 billion in the comparable period in 2023.

The PSA reported that the biggest slice of these foreign investments, at 48.1 percent or P70.57 billion, will go to the job-generating manufacturing industry.

The other two industry categories which will corner investments are the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply sector with P51.92 billion and real estate with P13.13 billion.

The bulk of these foreign investments came from South Korea, with P53.72 billion, equivalent to 36.6 percent.

Switzerland followed with a 35.5-percent share, amounting to P51.84 billion, and Japan with a 10.9-percent contribution, which is equivalent to P15.96 billion.

Calabarzon will receive the largest share of these foreign investments, with 40.1 percent or P58.86 billion going into the region where a big number of the government’s manufacturing hubs for private enterprises are located.

This was followed by the Bicol Region’s 35.3- percent share of P51.84 billion and Central Luzon’s 10.4-percent share of P15.20 billion.