Boxing icon and chess enthusiast Manny Pacquiao wants to see more Filipino grandmasters in the next few years as part of his legacy to the sport he loves and plays with passion.  A new chess group, backed by individuals from various sectors of society, has heeded the call of Pacquiao to bring chess to higher levels.  The newly formed National United Chess Federation of the Philippines (NUCFP) installed Pacquiao as its chairman and has gotten a huge support from a chess community waiting for change.  "We want to leave a legacy to the sport by unifying the community first. We've seen so much talent in the country. We have heard the sentiments and frustrations of our fellow athletes. I want to help and contribute," said Pacquaio on Saturday.  No less than Filipino super grandmaster Wesley So, now playing for the US chess federation, has thrown his support to the newly formed group. He expressed willingness to lend a hand to whatever is needed by the NUCFP.  Grandmasters Rogelio Barcenilla Jr., Julio Catalino Sadorra, John Paul Gomez and dozens of other titled players have also signified their intentions to contribute to the chess community and what ails it.  Filipino masters who have made chess as careers, including So, have left the country for greener pastures elsewhere.  Most Filipino chess players want change. Pacquiao declined to accept the post of vice president handed to him by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP). He was elected in absentia.  The NCFP is currently led by its longtime president and chairman Prospero Pichay Jr.  In 2011, Oliver Barbosa and Richard Bitoon became the last grandmasters produced by the federation.  GM Daniel Quizon was awarded the title in 2024. Much of his success, however, was credited to the late Rep. Pidi Barzaga, who funded Quizon’s training in Dasmarinas, Cavite as well as his tournaments abroad.  So, one of the many persons who left the country for better chances to achieve success, openly blamed corruption as the main culprit in the stagnation of local chess development.  The Cavite-born chess genius was forced to change federations after his exploits in winning gold in the 2013 World University Games in Kazan was met by indifference by the NCFP, itself.  It was the last time that So represented the country in the international stage.  "I hope we could bring those talents back to the Philippines," said Pacquaio, whose Pacman Chess Association (PCA) is holding weekly tournaments in Mindanao.