Gerry Peñalosa

It was good to see Gerry Peñalosa again in person after such a long time when I attended a press conference called by Councilors Jack Jakosalem and Yayoy Alcoseba at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel last Monday.

Gerry’s career started back in May 20, 1989 where he scored a win by knockout over Fidel Jubay in the fifth round in Mandaue City.

He was only about to turn 18 that time.

Since then, Gerry has fought 59 more times and has compiled a record of 52 wins (35 by knockout), six losses and two draws.

To tell you honestly, I had doubts about Gerry’s ability to get back his old form when he returned to the ring in 2004 after an almost two-year hiatus.

It hasn’t all been glory in his return.  In fact he lost his last bout before he won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title last August 11 via a 7th round KO over Johnny Gonzalez  at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California.

But that is the world of boxing.  The wins and losses pile up as you stay longer in your career, but the fact that Gerry has defied a lot of odds to keep going 18 years since he started as a professional boxer amazes me much.  I don’t know too many boxers who stayed that long at the level where Gerry is today.

Incidentally, it was also 18 years ago when I first started writing sports stories, but I am not amazed that I still am around since I am enjoying what I do and I don’t get the same beating as pro boxers do.

Early on in my career, I spent a lot of time around boxers myself writing about their exploits and covering the bouts until the wee hours of the night.

Now, I manage to watch fights on very rare occasions and sometimes join viewing parties for major fights in hotel ballrooms.

I still have a few good friends from those who I once covered as young simonpures like Edito ‘Ala’ Villamor and Gerry.  Although they now have taken different routes, as Edito has become the chief trainer of the ALA Stable, in their boxing careers, it always lifts me up to see them succeed in their endeavors.

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It was very disturbing to learn last Tuesday about the incident in a police station in Metro Manila involving former basketball pro Paul Alvarez and Southeast Asian Games karatedo gold medalist Gretchen Malalad.

Alvarez, whose career in the PBA was also marked with a shooting incident at a massage parlor where he got hit in the butt (of all places), reportedly hit Malalad, who now works as a field reporter of ABS-CBN.

The ex-pro who was once billed as Mr. Excitement was brought to the police station after a taxi driver complained that he was manhandled by Alvarez.  Malalad, who was there to cover the incident, became a victim herself when Alvarez vented his ire on her.

Luckily, Gretchen’s martial arts training taught her how to use only the right force when she defended herself.

Alvarez got a dose of his own medicine and I hope that would help him realize that he’s Mr. Excitement no more.

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MILESTONES: My fraternity (yes, I am a frat man…another admission after saying I have a Friendster account last week), the Tao Brotherhood and Sisterhood sometimes also referred to as the Tao Society, celebrates its 18th anniversary today.

The group was founded in 1989 by some students of the University of the Philippines in Cebu and spread to other schools like Velez College, University of San Carlos, University of San Jose-Recoletos, and the University of the Visayas.

Now, only the UP chapter remains active, and we’re proud of the achievements of our resident brothers and sisters.

More power to the Tao and let’s continue our tradition of service and excellence in our endeavors.

By the way, the celebration will be this Saturday at Casa Verde along Lim Tian Teng St.  It starts at 6 p.m.