by ODON S. BANDIOLA
Even if there is still the Filipino Flash,” Nonito Donaire, Jr., WBO Superbantamweight World Champion, capturing the limelight in world boxing; even if there is still the Hawaiian Punch, Brian Viloria, WBO & WBA unified flyweight champion; even if there is still WBO World junior flyweight champion Dodie Nietes; even if there is still IBF junior flyweight champion, Junriel Casimero; and even if there is still WBC minimum weight silver world champion Denver Cuello awaiting to snatch the WBC legitimate world champion; without Manny Pacquiao perched at the top of world boxing, the feeling of satisfaction among Filipino boxing fans is never complete.
Donaire’s ascent to boxing world stardom cannot fully assuage the Filipinos’ pride, after Manny’s stunning loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, to include mine, Donaire, four division world champion (flyweight, interim junior bantamweight, bantamweight and now Superbantamweight), an adopted Aklanon, is now adjudged the Fighter of the Year (2012) by Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated, Ring Magazine and ESPN, while he captured the American Boxing Writers’ Association’s Fighter of the Year recognition.
Filipino Mercito Gesta was given the chance for a world boxing title against Mexican Miguel Vasquez, the WBO defending world champion. Vasquez was ripe for the picking for a world title against Gesta but Team Gesta and his corner atop the ring failed to develop a game plan for Gesta to pin down a horseback riding boxer from Mexico. Team Gesta has not even developed the flat-footed Mercito Gesta’s jabs which could have been effective against the polo-playing Mexican boxer. Gesta-Vasquez world title tussle was the undercard in the Pacquiao-Marquez fight. Gesta lopsidedly lost on point against trickster-boxer Vasquez.
Among the Filipino world boxing title hopefuls, Cuello has the biggest chance to snatch another world title for the Filipinos. Cuello is an Ilonggo.
Why boxing as sports captivates much of the hearts of Filipino boxing fans? Through the years since Pancho Villa, Ceferino Garcia and Flash Elorde, boxing never fails to deliver sports heroes to uplift Filipino spirits, the likes of Salavarria, Espinosa, Villaflor, Navarette, Barrientos, and others.
Although Filipinos are crazy about basketball, basketball as sports among Filipinos can only be better as an entertainment sports as provided by the professional league, not a globally competitive sports. Basketball for Filipinos, lacking in heft and height can no longer be a source of glory. We can never lord on it all over Asia, Southeast Asia, perhaps.
To think that billions of pesos of corporate money, and even that of the government are poured into basketball, wow, “sayang lang”.
DILG must now review the manner sports funds from the barangay, municipal, provincial and regional levels are channelled into basketball. It’s a waste of money investing funds for the dwarfs engaging in sports of the giants.
Political Romance
Aklan Rep. Florencio ‘Joeben’ T. Miraflores is the outgoing congressman of the lone district of Aklan after his third and last term ends at noon of June 30, 2013. Likewise, Gov. Carlito ‘Lito’ S. Marquez will finish his third and last term as Governor of Aklan on the same date.
Miraflores was a two-termer Mayor of Ibajay and 3-termer Governor of Aklan.
I was at the media bureau of Miraflores’ campaign staff in 1995 when he ran for governor against the late Corazon L. Cabagnot who was then a heavy favourite against the underdog Joeben. Together with Philippine Star correspondent, now Provincial Prosecutor Nel Inventado and DYKR’s star reporter Cha Reyes, we coined Joeben’s gubernatorial platform, the twin priority thrusts in agricultural productivity enhancement and tourism development. Until now, Gov. Lito uses the same program priorities in his administration.
When Joeben ended his third and last term as governor and ran for Congressman in 2004 with Gov. Lito in tandem as governor, I was again at the media bureau of Tibyog party to where the duo belong. With me were Ullyses Espartero and Che Indelible. Efren “ET” Trinidad ran the campaign headquarters.
In both instances, 1995 and 2005, the duo won.
I was the main writer of Gov. Lito’s Inaugural Address, his first 90-days accomplishment report, his SOPA during his first 3-year term. His pool of writers composed of Prov’l. Asst. Administrator Rey Matorres and PPDO Roger Esto reviewed and finalized it.
Barangay Solido, Nabas, became the primary beneficiary through projects our people needs ranging from school’s fence, multi-purpose stage, irrigation pumps, school electrification, CRs worth of about a million pesos.
My family and I were rewarded. I was appointed SP Secretary by then Vice Gov. Kel Tolentino. As suggested by Ms. Ellen, the HRMD head. I was appointed and confirmed SP secretary in March 2005.
Vice Gov. Billie Calizo-Quimpo, the incumbent regular presiding officer nurtured a working relationship in my favour despite differences in the political campaign trail in the past. /MP
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