"Buhay Boksingero" to unfold on GMA

CEBU, Philippines - The platform may be the gritty sport of boxing, but GMA Network's upcoming reality program will truly be a story of how Filipinos are willing to risk life and limb for that chance of lifting their families out of poverty.

"Buhay Boksingero", a regional boxing reality program that's set to air on April 24, was officially launched March 4 at the Abellana Sports Complex. In attendance were the show's host Chino Trinidad, conditioning coach Chappy Callanta, two-time world champion and program mentor Gerry Peñalosa, Cebu point person and boxing columnist/judge Salven Lagumbay and 20 of the competing aspiring fighters scoured from Cebu's several boxing gyms.

For five months, the show will be aired solely for Cebuano audiences every Sunday at 9:45-10:45 am with reruns on GMA News TV on a still-undisclosed timeslot. They chose Cebu as an initial breeding ground, acknowledging how it is a "hotbed of boxing talent."

Trinidad, GMA's senior sports correspondent who has extensively covered the exploits of our Pambansang Kamao and now congressman Manny Pacquiao, had a hand in conceptualizing the novel sports program. "In 20 years or more of my exposure to Philippine sports, I wanted to come up with a program that will help aspiring boxers. Because sometimes we miss the point. We enjoy watching Manny when he fights, but the true story of Manny is how he got to where he is — from poverty, to become one of the most influential persons in the world."

They will not only monitor the boxers while training at their gyms, the cameras will also trail them to their homes to highlight each of their life stories.

"Every boxer has a unique story on why they chose boxing. They know it's a dangerous sport. In fact, we say that when you fight in the ring, ang isang paa mo nasa sementeryo na. So the story is how people risk their lives to make their loved ones’ lives better. Yan ang tunay na storya ng buhay boksingero," added Trinidad, who also hosts another sports program on GMA News TV titled "Game!"

"Buhay Boksingero" will follow a tournament format, where boxers compete in four-round elimination stages, and the winners in all five divisions eventually advancing to the semifinals and finals stages. Champions, or those who show potential to make it big, will be groomed and given special training.

If the show proves to be a success, GMA will launch similar formats for other regions such us Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Davao. (FREEMAN)