Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. was a prominent Filipino chess player and one of few Filipinos who have been bestowed the title of International Grandmaster. Born on September 10, 1941, he was the second Filipino to be given the title after the highly esteemed Eugenio Torre.
Balinas had a rich history in the competitive chess scene. He won the Philippine Chess Championship six times and got the Asean masters grand championship as well. Another significant win was at the Marlboro Championship of the Philippines in 1976. He also performed remarkably well on the international field. In 1975, he won the Chigorin Memorial in Minsk, defeating the likes of renowned grandmasters like Viktor Korchnoi. The next year, he clinched the 42nd place in the Chess Olympiad at Haifa while playing for the Philippine team.
On September 24, 1998, Balinas passed away from cardiac arrest. His life and achievements have left a significant impact in the chess community in the Philippines.