Mila Emperado

Milagros Codiñera Emperado is a Filipino chess player who was part of the Philippines' first women's team at the Chess Olympiad in 1976.

Early life and education Milagros Emperado was born in 1947. She learned how to play chess at six years old from her father and uncle. Emperado attended the Mapúa Institute of Technology for college. She worked in the chemistry field after graduating before pursuing a master's degree in teaching.

Career Emperado joined the Mapúa chess team in college. Later as a college educator, she was encouraged to join a national chess tournament earning her a place to represent the country internationally. Her teammates were Hermie Cartel, Andrea Lizares, and Lita Alvarez. They finished 16th out of 22 women's teams. She held the title Woman National Master. In 1990, the MCC started organizing the Milo Checkmate Chess Clinic. The MCC has produced Wesley So.

Emperado was given the Lifetime Award at the 2026 PSA Annual Awards.