LAOAG City—The journey from Manila to Laoag City was unbearably long and tiresome, but the destination presented a welcome surprise, not only because the Ilocos Norte capital offers scenic sites and intriguing food, but mostly because of the warm reception that the Manila delegation and those from other provinces received and continues to enjoy here.
The first pleasant surprise was the presence of no less than Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, the eldest daughter of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, during the opening ceremony of the 2016 National Age-Group Chess Championship Grand Finals at the Centennial Arena despite her busy schedule.
Perhaps because she is well-loved by her people, Gov. Imee graced the opening rates sans a single bodyguard, dressed in t-shirt and jeans and freely mingled with the young participants and had “selfies” with them, their parents and with officials of the organizing National Chess Federation of the Philippines.
It also helped that Grandmaster Eugene Torre and wife Marilyn were there. Eugene later narrated in his speech that the late President Marcos stood as one of their sponsors during their wedding at the Malacanang Chapel, and also cited an incident when the elder Marcos “played” with American chess genius Bobby Fischer to open an international tournament in the early 70s.
Imee would confirm this in her speech and told the crowd that his father always bragged that he lasted 15 moves with Fischer.
“Umabot kami ng 15 moves at hindi ako naubos,” Imee quoted her father as saying.
After an hour or so, the governor left to attend to her other duties, but the host province’s hospitality continued to be felt.
This is because the city’s sports coordinator, Fabio Bartolome, went out of his way to make sure that the visitors are well taken cared of.
It was Fabio (chess officials fondly call him Five-O), who provided the transporation for the tournament staff from Hotel Plaza del Norte (our official hotel paid for by the provincial government) to the playing venue and back to the hotel.
Fabio also acted as our tourist guide and brought us (GM Torre and wife Marilyn and this columnist) to the Malacanang of the North in Paoay, the decades-old Paoay church (built during the 18th century) and the Marcos museum and mausoleum, where the remains of the late president was prominently displayed.
The tour was enlightening and educational, but of course, the NCFP’s real objective in visiting the province is to discover the finest young chess players, who will represent the country in future international tournaments.
The other objective, according to the hardworking NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, is to promote chess in the province, and hopefully to encourage the young Ilocanos to take up the sport.
Gov. Imee, perhaps encouraged by the Marcos’ ties with Torre, had vowed to open her province to more chess tournaments, and Gonzales said that this is a good sign that chess will be embraced by more youngsters in the province.
To this end, GMs Torre and Gonzales wasted no time and started laying the groundwork by conducting a chess clinic right inside the Mariano Marcos State University, where the tournament is being played everyday until April 8.
As an observer and lover of chess, I dare say that our chess officials continue to make the right moves.
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