First trip never dies

Been in New York City several times already, but the first time always leaves a lasting impression—as in, how can you forget your first kiss to your dearest?

That was in 1982, when I flew here via Lucerne, Switzerland.

The trip was authored no less by Florencio Campomanes, the late, lamented first Filipino to become president of the World Chess Federation (Fide).

Lucerne, tiny but beautiful and so enchanting, was host then of the 1982 World Chess Olympics coinciding with the Fide elections.

“We’re going to the biggest, greatest, battle of my life, Al,” Campomanes—Campo to his closest friends—said to me over tonic and vodka (make that Absolut). “The time has come for me to step forward.”

Together with my fellow sportswriters Jun Engracia (retired) of the defunct Daily Express, Roger Flores (deceased) of the defunct Times Journal and Eddie Alinea of the Philippine News Agency and now of Manila Times, we joined Campo to that historic trip to Rolex land.

We covered the exploits of our Philippine Team in Lucerne, led by the inimitable Eugene Torre and backstopped by—if memory serves—Glenn Bordonada, Rico Mascarinas and Cesar Caturla. We finished in the Top 20, I guess. Not bad.

With Campo becoming Fide president, nothing else mattered.

We humble sportswriters contributed, in our own little ways, our persuasive skills in wooing the votes of the delegates from more than 100 member-countries of Fide.

My assignment was South America. Meaning, I had to brush up on my Spanish to, ahem!, communicate well with them in a bid to capture their votes.

“Buenos dias, señor.” “Como esta, usted?” Voila! We won the Spanish-speaking bloc, resulting in Campo’s landslide win over his foe from Iceland, Fridrik Olafsson.

We partied till dawn. Before we parted ways, Campo said to me, “Muchas gracias, Señor Alfonso. Enjoy Nuyok!”

With his classic win that inspired, warmed the heart, I continued the celebration all the way to the big apple.

Manhattan became but a watering hole. For a week or so.