Thrilla in Mapandan: Maui Pakyaw versus Erika Morales

MAPANDAN, Pangasinan — After the much heralded "Grand Finale" in Las Vegas, now comes a boxing thrilla in this town featuring the gay versions of Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales in three rounds of pinching and hair-pulling.

On Nov. 25, Mapandanians’ world will stop as they watch Maui Pakyaw and Erika Morales brawl at center stage in the Mapandan gay boxing event at the town plaza. The bout starts at 4 p.m.

But unlike the savage Grand Finale III where Pacquiao knocked out Morales in round three, this town’s gay boxing will be for plain fun and entertainment, said Ramon Bonifacio alias Monette, 47, president of the Mapandan Gay Association (MAGAYA).

Gay boxing is part of the yearly mini-olympics already on its fifth year under the stewardship of Mayor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim. It is the latest addition to the sports competition that now has 14 events.

"Di naman ito laban na talagang duguan (This is not a fight that is really bloody)," Bonifacio said.

There will be a one-minute exchange of blows, as well as drama performance or show of dancing prowess in the ring, or they can also pull each other’s hair and pinch each other. The fight will only be good for three rounds per boxing pair. Six pairs qualified after the weigh-in last Monday and a medical clearance.

Many were interested to join despite the fact that boxing is really a man’s sport, Bonifacio added.

Conrado Fernandez, alias Donna Summer who is carrying the name Maui Pakyaw in the boxing match, vows to be the champion like her namesake.

The 40-year-old Pakyaw said he is also undergoing rigid training by jogging every morning with his boyfriend and following a strict diet so that he will be in good shape come fight time.

"Ipapakita ko sa tao na ako ang tatapos (I will show the people that I will end the fight)," Pakyaw said.

Pakyaw, who has his own beauty salon here, said he wants to show the people that gays are also good people.

He cited herself as having helped in the education of her three nephews.

"Nasa bakla na yan kung gusto niyang dapat siyang irespeto (It’s up to a gay if he should be respected)," Pakyaw said.

As for the 46-year-old Erika, whose real name is Romualdo Velasquez but popularly known here as Berta, he said he doesn’t mind being the underdog.

Morales said he wants to prove that what men can do, gays can, too.

"Okay lang kung kantiyawan ako ng mga tao. Ang importante ay mapasaya namin sila (It’s okay if people will heckle at me. What’s important is we make them happy)," he said.

He said his parents and clients in the beauty parlor where he is working are excited about the boxing bout.

"Sabi nila ito daw ang best event na mangyayari (They say this will be the best event that will happen)," he said.

A former president of MAGAYA, Morales said he was also crowned as Miss Gay 1995 of Eat Bulaga. When wearing make-up, he said his look-alikes are movie actresses Cherie Gil and Liza Lorena.

Councilor Mamerto Eden Jr., chairman of the committee on sports in this town, said there will be six pairs fighting for the gay boxing. Eden is the son of cycling champ, the late Mamerto Eden Sr.

"Matira ang matibay (May the best man win)," he said.