Muay thai in search of a Pacman

Inspired by the success of Manny Pacquiao, the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines (MAP) is now on the look for a "Pacman" among its rank.

And there are many of them as proven in the last Southeast Asian Games and the first Asian Indoor Games.

"Aside from boxing, muay thai is one sport Filipinos can really excel in," said MAP chairman Robin Padilla in a special PSA Forum appearance yesterday at the main function room of the Pantalan Restaurant in Manila.

"Like Manny, a lot of muay thai athletes have also the courage and the speed so I think we can develop a lot of Pacquiaos in the sport, " said the popular action star, referring to the Filipino ring sensation, who scored a third round knockout of Mexican legend Erik Morales last Sunday in the third installment of their bitter rivalry at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Billy Alumno won the country’s lone gold in the Asian Indoor Games last year in Phuket, Thailand, by topping the wai khru event. A few weeks after, muay thai delivered three gold medals in the 23rd SEA Games held here courtesy of Roland Claro (lightweight), Victoria Agbayani and Cristina Custodio (wai kru 54-57 kg) and Claire Cadampog and Lianne Flameno (wai kru 51-54 kg).

"We wanted to sustain the gains of these feats, the reason why we’re coming up with nationwide programs aimed at developing the sport in the country and encourage more individuals to get involve in muay thai," said MAP president Roberto Valdez, who was also present in the weekly session.

The MAP already launched its sports development program in Mindanao early this year in General Santos City as part of the Philippine Olympic Festival of the POC.

Similar meets will be held in Visayas (Antique), Luzon (Ilocos Sur) and National Capital Region (Marikina), while a Muaythai Instructor Courses are also in the MAP calendar.

The events serve as prelude to three major international tournaments slated next year — the Foreign Muaythai World Championship, the Asian Indoor Games in Macau and the 24th SEA Games in Thailand.

"Kaya nga po sana suportahan natin ang muaythai dito sa Pilipinas, dahil hindi lang naman tapang ang kailangan naming dito kundi pati na rin po ang tulong

ng ating gobyerno at pribadong sector," stressed Padilla, who is coming up with a soon-to-be-launched weekly TV program on the sport to be anchored by him and broadcaster Bill Velasco.

Several of Padilla’s colleagues in the movie industry had also began to hook up with the sport, among them are Judy Ann Santos, Gretchen Barreto, Angel Locsin, Jackielou Blanco, Yul Servo, Piolo Pascual and Raymund Bagatsing.

Padilla’s inclination on martial arts started when he was 12-years old. As a muaythai practitioner, he fights as a middleweight.

The actor of course, belongs to a family of well-known sports personalities, including the late Olympian Ambrosio Padilla, international boxing referee Carlos Padilla and champion shooter Tac Padilla.