On February 1, 2023, the film "World Champion" (Russia, 2021) was screened in the city of Baguio (Philippines), as part of the Days of Cooperation between Moscow and Manila and the International Film Festival "Art Unites" of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly.
Before the show, the audience was welcomed by: 16-time world chess champion, Deputy of the State Duma, Deputy Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly Anatoly Karpov and Deputy Head of the General Secretariat, Chairman of the Council for International Cultural Cooperation of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly Elmira Shcherbakova.
The screening was attended by the Mayor of Baguio, Mr. Benjamin Magalong, the famous Filipino chess player, Mr. Eugenio Torre, the Mayor of Manila, Ms. Honey Lacuna, and the Chairman of the Sports Commission of the Philippines, Mr. William Ramirez.
Filipino grandmaster Eugenio Torre noted:
“The figure of Karpov is of great importance for the Philippines. Many people here know him, and I am glad that he continues to popularize chess in our country.”
The film screening in Baguio is by no means accidental, because it was in this city that the match between Anatoly Karpov and Viktor Korchnoi took place in 1978 - one of the most significant competitions in the history of chess.