Time was when Dominador Cepeda was an influential and powerful member of the World Boxing Council (WBC), the world’s foremost governing body for the sport.
Cepeda, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 86, was a trusted ally of the WBC’s long-standing leader Jose Sulaiman when the Filipino lawyer was chairman of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) from 1994 until 2001.
He was a member of Sulaiman’s inner circle as he was one of the WBC’s Board of Governors, a small group of officials that the boxing leader turned to for counsel.
During the WBC convention in Mexico City in 2000, I was there to cover the events relative to the world congress and I saw with my very own eyes how Cepeda was put on a pedestal.
The Philippine delegation to Mexico City was composed of GAB commissioner Ashley Arayata, boxing division chief Noli Flores, medical division head Dr. Nasser Cruz, Cebu boxing promoter Wakee Salud, former WBC secretary general Rodrigo Salud and son, Chito, and referee Bruce McTavish.
We were all billeted at the Intercontinental Presidente Hotel and the WBC made sure our delegation was treated like royalty.
One time, Sulaiman went out of his way to treat Cepeda and his party to dinner at an expensive Argentine steakhouse.
As we were all enjoying our meal, Sulaiman and Cepeda huddled together as though they were plotting to topple a dictatorial government.
Sulaiman was very cordial and warm to us as well and told us to let him know should we encounter any problems during our week-long stay in Distrito Federal.
In the course of the convention, Cepeda was an active player in the deliberation and discussion of the WBC’s program and mission.
Just before we switched off the lights, Cepeda would brief me about what went on during his numerous meetings so I could do a report for TODAY, my newspaper then.
That was the routine for several days and I marveled at his way of articulating things that seemed plain, simple and normal.
Chairman Cepeda also adored Johnny Walker Black. When I joined him in Korea, Thailand and Japan and even in Cebu for boxing coveages, our evening talks with the usual suspects would get better and better with every gulp of that revered Scotch.
He also took beer but it was only when JW was nowhere to be found like when we dined at a Chinese restaurant called Excellency where the cooks are pure-blooded Mexicans.
“Do you have Tres Equis?” Cepeda asked the waitress, who were bewildered as Mexico doesn’t have a cerveza brand Tres Equis.
“No, Dos Equis only,” shouted the confused waitress.
“Okay, Dos Equis it is. One for me and one for him (pointing to me).”
He loved watching movies, too.
One of his favorites was Meet Joe Black, the 1998 romantic fantasy film starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins and Claire Forlani.
Back at the GAB’s headquarters, I made it a point to drop by every Friday knowing the sumptuous meal that was being prepared.
One time, a huge cauldron of sinigang na tanigue was brought inside the office for the boys to enjoy.
There was also stir-fried baby octopus in olive oil courtesy of commissioner Ashley (from the waters of Cavite) that until now, makes me drool all over.
Yeah, those were the good ol’ days with Chairman Cepeda.
It’s just sad that he’s gone ahead.
But it was a life well lived.
