Casa de Segunda (Lipa, Batangas)

"Of chess, it has been said that life is not long enough for it, but that is the fault of life, not chess."

- Irving Chernev

Segunda Katigbak is one of  Jose Rizal's love interest. Their love story has been documented by no less than Rizal himself. It is a love story of youthful affection and is a very good storyline for a movie.  When I reached Casa De Segunda in Lipa City, Batangas, I was welcomed by a lot of memorabilia and reading materials about their famous love story.

What fascinated me about Casa de Segunda is not only the love story about Rizal and Segunda and how that love failed to blossom into a more intimate affair but the fact that Rizal was a frequent visitor of the house not only because of Segunda but also of the fact that Rizal played chess in this house.

According to Rizal's own account, Rizal lost the game of chess he played because he cannot concentrate. Lack of concentration in the chess game was the primary reason why he lost. While at Casa de Segunda, I imagine Rizal playing chess - pushing pawns and pieces. Thinking. How would Rizal react if his chess pieces are in a tight bind? If Rizal is on the attack, is he a dangerous player to contend with? Is Rizal an "e4" or a "d4" player? What is Rizal's preferred opening in chess? What is Rizal's style of play?

A visit to old houses such as Casa de Segunda reminds us that life is definitely short. And that life is short for chess. Nothing is permanent. Sooner or later everything will change. What will be left, if someone persevers to preserve it, are remnants of the past such as the chessboard where Rizal played chess.