THE $64,000 QUESTION: WHEN I TOOK THE PUNCH

"Our personality is an intangible fabric that defines us through the threads of childhood and the influence of the adults who surrounded us."

Our experiences leave indelible marks on us that determine who we will be and what we will do in the future.

In my case, two names resonate with particular force, two unexpected mentors who shaped my adolescence and ignited the spark of curiosity that still drives me today: The Architect of Sound and The Gentleman of the Word.

THE ARCHITECT OF SOUND

One of them was Franz Joseph Haydn, the "Father of the Symphony", The Architect of Sound, a genius whose innovation in the 18th century marked the end of the Baroque and the dawn of the glorious Classical period.

What did Beethoven say about Haydn, who was his teacher? "Such a genius never existed and will probably never be surpassed." Imagine the weight of those words! Haydn didn't just compose music; he built bridges between two eras, opening sonic paths that would resonate for centuries.

THE GENTLEMAN OF THE WORD

The other figure, a beacon in the Mexican media, was Pedro Ferriz Santa Cruz, "The Gentleman of the Word," cultured, chivalrous, endowed with extraordinary emotional intelligence and an overwhelming personality. For more than six decades, this journalist and radio and television host was a reference, a voice that inspired generations.

A TEENAGER AT THE EPICENTER OF MEXICAN TELEVISION

Sometimes life throws us at unexpected crossroads; other times, it gives us opportunities that seem like they're straight out of a novel. Mine, I assure you, is a bit of both, and it all began when I was just a teenager in a Mexico that vibrated to the rhythm of live television.

Let me transport you back to 1973. I was sixteen years old, with an avid mind and a restless spirit. Back then, Televisa Chapultepec was the epicenter of entertainment, and from its studios came a program that captivated millions: " The $64,000 Grand Prix."

In this live show, the contestant chose a topic and, over the course of five weeks, was asked the most unlikely questions.

My chosen subject? None other than Franz Joseph Haydn, a giant whose influence shaped Mozart and Beethoven. When asked why Haydn, my answer was simple yet profound: Haydn was an innovator. For me, he represented the alpha and omega of the Classical period, the architect who not only initiated it in the 18th century but also brought it to a close in the 19th, opening the doors wide to Romanticism.

At just 16 years old, I had the incredible opportunity to participate and win on this famous program, skillfully hosted by Pedro Ferriz Santa Cruz.

Over the course of five exciting live broadcasts, the contestant had to answer a litany of complicated questions on a pre-chosen topic. Pedro Ferriz Santa Cruz, the "Gentlemanly Master of Ceremonies," was responsible for awarding the coveted $64,000 pesos to those contestants who deserved it.

The $64,000 Grand Prix was divided into five sessions, with the winning amount doubling each week, starting at $4,000 and continuing to $8,000, $16,000, $32,000, and finally $64,000. Each broadcast featured an average of eight questions, for a total of 40 difficult and, at times, tricky questions! Fortunately, I made it through the $32,000 question, bringing me closer to a crucial moment: at 16 years old, I had to decide whether to "TAKE THE UNIROYAL TIGER PUNCH" in pursuit of the $64,000 or walk away. The "Punch" referred to the fact that one of the main sponsors, the Uniroyal tire manufacturer, was advertising its tires as actually "tiger paws.": It means USE YOUR PAW TO MOVE FORWARD = PUNCH.

A fascinating fact! The $64,000 pesos at that time would be equivalent to about $300,000 pesos today.

But here comes the most exciting part: if one chose to continue to $64,000, there was a high risk that with just one failed question out of the eight in the final broadcast, they would lose everything they had won! It was, so to speak, a "$64,000 coin toss."

AN UNEXPECTED TWIST: WHEN FORTUNE SMILES

The decision to continue or withdraw became even more complicated. Given the complexity of the final eight questions, the show allowed contestants to bring an advisor who would support them from a sealed, soundproof cabin. However, my designated advisor, months in advance, decided to abandon me to my fate due to a bout of stage fright!

That's when the goddess of fortune, my mother (Velia Rivera Widow of Erdozáin, who appears in all the photos), and a group of friends intervened. They gave me the surprise of convincing the famous Conductor Enrique Bátiz , then Director of the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra, to agree to be my advisor. And he accepted! Enrique supported me unconditionally, we entered the cabin together and, against all odds, we won the Grand Prize of $64,000 pesos!

LIFE LESSONS ON THE KNOWLEDGE TRACK

This experience was much more than a competition. It helped me understand that knowledge is acquired intellectually, through books and teachers, but also emotionally, through mentors. Experience is gained by taking risks and learning from both successes and failures.

I also learned that making smart decisions depends not only on expertise in a given subject, but also on our level of self-awareness. The more we understand ourselves and our environment, the greater our skill in interpreting the facts and making sound decisions. If we limit ourselves to cold models of rationality, such as decision trees that only weigh pros and cons, our choices are likely to be poor choices. Life, after all, rarely presents itself in such a schematic way.

The truth is, while participating in " The $64,000 Grand Prix," I couldn't help but feel like a Formula 1 driver, a racer in his own Grand Prix. Every question was a tight corner, every decision a critical maneuver on a track where the goal was knowledge. And like every great driver, I had my own "squad," a team of sponsors who made that exciting race possible.

IN THE $64,000 PESOS, MY SQUAD WAS MADE UP OF WEIGHT NAMES:

From whom I received a juicy check for $64,000 pesos, which at its present value was a significant fortune for a 16-year-old teenager.

Uniroyal Tires, which not only honored me with the appointment as Honorary Executive, was the one that motivated me to continue giving "The Punch" for five weeks.

Zenith, the pioneer in remote-controlled televisions. They were giants in their field, and the support I felt from them was a confidence boost for every stage of the competition.

Today, I look back and see that the $64,000 Grand Prix wasn't just a quiz show. It was a life lesson that shaped me, teaching me the power of preparation, resilience in the face of obstacles, and the immense joy of a shared victory. And you, what has been your personal Grand Prix? Who has been part of your team at key moments in your life?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF YOUR TIME IN READING THIS STORY.