On August 28, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov arrived on a working visit to the Philippines, where he took part in the opening ceremony of the 1st Florencio Campomanes Memorial. The idea to hold the tournament was born two months ago in Manila during the previous visit of the FIDE President to the Philippines. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov proposed the organization and financing of a tournament with an unprecedented prize fund of 1 mln USD to grace the memory of his predecessor, the 5th FIDE President Florencio Campomanes.
These tournaments with prize fund of 100,000 USD will be held for 10 years in various ASEAN countries. The tournament is attended by over 150 players from 16 countries. During the visit Ilyumzhinov met with the President of National Olympic Committee Mr. Jose Cojuangco, President of Philippines Chess Federation Mr. Prospero Pichay, the President of Iran Chess Federation Mr. Mohammed Kambuzia, Vice-President of Vietnam Chess Federation Mr. Dang Tat Thang. At the meetings were also present Charge d'affaires of Russia in the Philippines Sergei Shepilov.