Iloilo City of Love Open 2024

In an event where three consecutive attempts offer absolutely no buffer for error, Brian Acuna conquered the 3x3x3 Blindfolded round with an unblemished 1:08.83 winning average and a swift 56.94 single. Blindfolded solving requires immense memorisation discipline alongside flawless execution, and a single mistake can ruin the entire mean-of-3 result. While Kirby Jay Caragan secured second place with a 3:14.04 average and Bea Alexandra Marie Flores logged a DNF, Acuna maintained total control to set the tone for precision and nerves across the tournament floor.

The high-stakes action unfolded at Vista Mall Iloilo in Oton, Iloilo, Philippines on March 9, 2024. The single-day WCA competition, officially known as the Iloilo City of Love Open 2024, brought together 33 competitors tackling 7 events across 11 scheduled rounds. Fans following the speedcubing action in 2024 witnessed exceptional speed across both standard twists and specialty formats, with every single podium spot claimed by representatives from the Philippines.

In the premier 3x3x3 Cube event, Ace Christian C. Wong delivered stunning speed to capture first place with an 8.42 winning average and the round's best single of 7.59. Dale Palmares mounted a fierce challenge to finish second with an 8.89 average, while Mary Ella Joyce R. Miralles rounded out the podium in third with 9.08. Across two competitive rounds featuring 33 competitors, the official 3x3 results proved how narrow the margins at the top of classic Rubik's Cube solving remain.

Ace Christian C. Wong continued his winning form in 3x3x3 One-Handed, securing his second title of the Iloilo City of Love Open 2024 with a 15.70 average and an impressive single of 12.14. Dale Palmares took the runner-up spot once again with a 16.33 average, while Brian Acuna earned third place with a 16.93 result. The single-round contest featured 18 competitors, testing single-handed ergonomic control and algorithmic efficiency under heavy competition pressure.

The 2x2x2 Cube final developed into an extraordinary sprint decided by a mere hundredth of a second. Ralph Danielle P. Amparo captured gold with a 3.32 average and a 2.42 single, barely edging out Kiian Huey Tolentino who secured second place with 3.33. Jasel John D. Portillo claimed third on the podium with a 3.42 average. The event featured a bustling 24 competitors across two rounds, delivering rapid turning speeds throughout the session.

Beyond the top podium steps, the competition showcased incredible milestones from emerging competitors across the regional community. Kian Alvane S. Abastillas entered three events and registered massive breakthroughs, cutting his 2x2x2 Cube best to 4.22 from 15.31 to go 72.4 percent faster, improving his 3x3x3 Cube personal best to 18.21 from 28.59, and completing his first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 10.34 for a 12th-place finish. Jose Dave Silarde contested five events, recording his first ever attempt at Skewb in 33.98, his first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 10.26 to take 14th place, and dropping his 3x3x3 One-Handed best by 17.3 percent to 27.92. Maria Florentina Isabel Perez tackled four events, taking 10th place in Pyraminx while logging a first ever attempt at Skewb of 15.86, a first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube of 4.79, and lowering her 3x3x3 Cube best by 26.3 percent to 24.65. Prince Ian Napud took on five events, finishing 11th in Pyraminx with an improved 11.07 mark, reducing his Skewb best by 32.5 percent to 8.84, and sharpening his 3x3x3 One-Handed time to 32.25.

The personal milestones continued across multiple puzzle disciplines at the venue. Hannah Grace O. Rafio competed in five events and earned a 5th-place finish in Skewb, while dropping her 2x2x2 Cube best by 28.4 percent to 3.38 and securing a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 11.08. Angela S. Golilao tackled three events, finishing 9th in Pyraminx and making a first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube with a mark of 4.47. Jethro Ken Niembra took on three events and reached 4th place in 3x3x3 One-Handed with a personal best of 14.91, which was 20.4 percent faster than his previous mark of 18.73, along with a 2x2x2 Cube best of 3.15. Andrew Thomas Salazar Pacilan entered three events and placed 6th in Clock, dropping his Clock best to 12.87 and improving his 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 19.3 percent down to 3.09.

In the specialty events, Ivan Keith Cariaga sealed the Skewb victory with a 3.92 average and a 3.13 best single across two rounds of 12 competitors. Kirby Jay Caragan took second place with 4.48, and Miguel Gonzaga finished third with 4.89. Gonzaga climbed to the top in Pyraminx, winning the 16-competitor single round with a 3.78 average and a 2.24 single. Bella Shanell Clementir Frial claimed second place in Pyraminx with 4.00, followed by Caragan in third with 5.07. Meanwhile, Clock featured 10 solvers over two rounds, where Kyle Capiral won the title with a 6.58 average and a 5.46 single, ahead of Palmares with 6.76 and Gonzaga with 9.42.

The thrilling action at the Iloilo City of Love Open 2024 proved how vibrant the speed cubing scene remains across the region. Competitors across all disciplines showed determination, setting personal benchmarks and battling through every round. As the cubing competition schedule moves forward into future calendar stops, the performances in Oton, Iloilo highlighted both established mastery and promising growth across every bracket.

Niyanig ni Ace Christian C. Wong ang mga mesa matapos dominahin ang pangunahing 3x3x3 Cube sa pagtatapos ng Iloilo City of Love Open 2024. Sa kanyang huling pag-ikot sa final round, nagtala si Wong ng winning average na 8.42 kasama ang pinakamabilis na best single na 7.59 upang angkinin ang unang pwesto laban sa tatlumpu't tatlong kalahok. Ang naturang tagumpay sa Oton, Iloilo, Philippines ay nagbigay-diin sa husay ng mga lokal na manlalaro sa speedcubing na nagtipon para sa paligsahan.

Ginanap ang buong torneo noong March 9, 2024 sa malawak na bulwagan ng Vista Mall Iloilo kung saan sumabak ang 33 competitors sa 7 events at 11 rounds. Mula sa pagbubukas ng mga unang round sa umaga hanggang sa maiinit na labanan sa hapon, naging mabilis ang takbo ng mga serye ng laro. Sa bawat pagpihit ng Rubik's Cube at iba pang uri ng puzzle, nasaksihan ang matinding determinasyon ng mga kalahok na maibaba ang kanilang mga oras sa bawat pagsubok.

Bago pa man ang tagumpay sa main event, ipinamalas na agad ni Ace Christian C. Wong ang kanyang pambihirang galing sa 3x3x3 One-Handed. Sa naturang single-round event na nilahukan ng labing-walong manlalaro, nasungkit niya ang gintong medalya hawak ang winning average na 15.70 at best single na 12.14. Pumangalawa sa kanya si Dale Palmares na nagsumite ng 16.33 average, habang pumangatlo naman si Brian Acuña na may 16.93 average sa isang mahigpitang laban para sa podium.

Naging dikit din ang labanan sa 2x2x2 Cube kung saan itinanghal na kampeon si Ralph Danielle P. Amparo na nagtala ng winning average na 3.32 at best single na 2.42 sa dalawang round ng kompetisyon. Bahagya lamang niyang naungusan si Kiian Huey Tolentino na nagrehistro ng 3.33 average para sa ikalawang pwesto, samantalang pumangatlo si Jasel John D. Portillo sa kanyang 3.42 average. Lahat ng tatlong nangunang manlalaro ay nagpakita ng bilis sa maikling format ng puzzle.

Sa mga side events, nagningning si Miguel Gonzaga sa Pyraminx nang makuha ang panalo sa pamamagitan ng winning average na 3.78 at best single na 2.24. Sa kabilang banda, pinatunayan ni Ivan Keith Cariaga ang kanyang galing sa Skewb matapos magwagi sa winning average na 3.92 mula sa labindalawang kalahok. Nasungkit naman ni Kyle Capiral ang unang pwesto sa Clock bitbit ang winning average na 6.58 at best single na 5.46 sa pagtatapos ng dalawang round.

Kabilang din sa mga tampok na kwento ng Iloilo City of Love Open 2024 ang mga manlalarong tahimik na nagtala ng mahahalagang marka sa kanilang mga karera. Nagtala si Julian Miguel Bata ng 2x2x2 Cube personal best na 2.32 na labing-walong porsyentong mas mabilis kaysa sa dati niyang 2.83 record, at nakuha ang ika-13 pwesto sa 3x3x3 One-Handed sa kanyang 3 events. Si Aaron Josh C. Wong naman ay naglista ng 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best na 14.89 na 9.7 porsyentong mas mabilis kaysa sa kanyang dating 16.49, habang nakuha ang ika-6 na pwesto at nagtala rin ng 2x2x2 Cube personal best na 2.28 sa tatlong event na kanyang sinalihan. Samantala, buong giting na hinarap ni Savion Romeo Matula ang anim na events kung saan ang kanyang pinakamagandang pagtatapos ay ika-8 pwesto sa Skewb.

Nagpakitang-gilas din ang mga bagong mukha na sumabak sa kanilang unang WCA competition sa paligsahang ito. Isinagawa ni Liam Tagomata ang kanyang first ever attempt sa 3x3x3 Cube na nagtala ng 35.05 at first ever attempt sa Pyraminx na 11.84 tungo sa ika-13 pwesto sa 2 events. Si Anton James Sadsad ay nagtala naman ng first ever attempt sa Pyraminx na 14.52 para sa ika-15 pwesto at first ever attempt sa 3x3x3 Cube na 23.10 sa kanyang dalawang event. Sa kani-kanilang nag-iisang event, matagumpay na nairehistro nina Princess Jmirrha Teñoso ang first ever attempt na 14.54, Gerick Galorio ang 1:01.25, at Rashel Joy Galorio ang 1:09.82 sa 3x3x3 Cube.

Sa mas komplikadong larangan ng 3x3x3 Blindfolded, napatunayan ang matinding memorya at konsentrasyon ni Brian Acuña na nagkampeon hawak ang winning average na 1:08.83 at pambihirang best single na 56.94. Kasunod niya sa podium si Kirby Jay Caragan na nagtala ng 3:14.04 average para sa pangalawang pwesto. Sa pangkalahatan, lahat ng dalawampu't isang podium places sa torneo ay napunta sa mga kinatawan ng Pilipinas.

Naging matagumpay ang buong takbo ng cubing competition sa pagtitipon ng mga beterano at baguhang speedcubers sa rehiyon. Ang pagtatapos ng Iloilo City of Love Open 2024 ay nag-iwan ng magagandang alaala, matataas na antas ng kumpetisyon, at bagong inspirasyon para sa susunod na yugto ng mga paligsahan sa bansa.