Recognition for Davao boxers

It was a far cry from the Elorde Boxing Awards Night where the country’s luminaries in the fight game are cited in grand style every year in Manila but Davao’s own version was a significant first step in recognizing regional standouts for their contributions to the sport.

Last Sunday, the Davao Sports Hall of Fame (DSHF), in cooperation with the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP), paid tribute to Davao-bred fighters in enshrinement rites at the Bangkerohan Gym. Nothing fancy, nothing grandiose. But DSHF chairman Jaime Quitain struck a warm note in the hearts of those closely involved in Davao boxing – past, present and future.

Not only were 26 individuals honored but the event also served as the induction ceremony for the incoming officers of the ABAP Davao City chapter.

“Bangkerohan is where you will find the biggest market in Davao and considered the Tondo of Davao before it became the most peaceful barangay in the poblacion, thanks to Councilor Ed Ibuyan and his son,” said Quitain.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte was represented by sports development officer Pocholo Elgino in inducting the ABAP chapter officers, namely Ibuyan as president, Nestor Javellana as vice president, Herle Doner as secretary and Erlinda Moralde as treasurer. Attending the affair were Vice Mayor Rudy Duterte’s sports consultant Rico Biliran, Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Davao City officer-in-charge Jaime Mata and Mindanao Professional Boxing Association (MINPROBA) secretary-general Engineer Ray Buenaventura.

Quitain said the event was timed to coincide with the first day of the week-long “Araw Ng Bangkerohan” barangay 5a celebration.

“It was a very memorable and festive occasion,” said Quitain. “For most of the fighters, it was the first time they were recognized for their achievements. Unfortunately, we couldn’t provide for cash incentives because there was no budget. We do this on a volunteer basis. But eventually, we hope to be able to raise funds so that we could be of help to retired fighters.”

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Quitain said to spice up the event, a gay boxing bout and 15 amateur fights were staged.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to so many people who made this event possible,” said Quitain. “San Miguel Corp. played a key role, providing all the plaques for our honorees and giving us logistical support. In particular, we’d like to thank area sales manager Emilio Baja, territory sales manager Roy Puentespina, communications officer Meggy Macion and territory sales supervisor Jack Sagpang. We’d also like to thank Mayor Sara and Vice Mayor Duterte and Vic Joven Adriano of VJA Professional Promotions.”

Quitain explained that the honorees included three active fighters to give them recognition they deserve. They were former WBC International superbantamweight champion Balweg Bangoyan, WBO Oriental superbantamweight titlist Jessie (The Terminator) Albaracin and WBO Oriental flyweight king Arden Diale.

Bangoyan, 24, lost to Toshiaka Nishioka by a fifth round technical knockout in a bid for the WBC 122-pound crown in Tokyo last year and is booked to face Elmer Legaria for the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council superfeatherweight belt in General Santos City on June 11. Bangoyan, a protégé of former Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur, Mayor Zander Khan, has a 16-2 record, with seven KOs. Albaracin, 26, boasts a 13-3-3 mark, with 11 KOs while Diale, 22, has a 14-6-3 slate, with three KOs. Diale was halted by Julio Cesar Miranda in the fourth round in a WBO flyweight championship fight in Mexico last February.

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Other honorees were former Oriental lightflyweight champion Siony Carupo, former Oriental lightweight titleholder Rolando Aldemir and Arafura Games and Manado Cup gold medalist Brix (Bomb) Ray in the outstanding achievement category. Awards of recognition were given to former Philippine superfeatherweight champion Jonathan Mercado, former Philippine lightflyweight champion Raul Terado, former Philippine superfeatherweight champion Jerry Quinonez, former Philippine lightflyweight champion Leo Ramirez, former Philippine superfeatherweight champion Boy Ligas, former Philippine superflyweight champion Diego de Villa, former Philippine flyweight champion Julius Gonzaga, former Philippine flyweight champion Rio Sumampong, former Philippine lightflyweight champion Philip Parcon, former Philippine featherweight champion Rudy Cabiles, former Philippine welterweight champion Allan Alegria (represented by wife Leticia) and former Philippine bantamweight, featherweight, superfeatherweight and lightweight champion Nene Jun (who surprised the audience by singing on stage). Amateur fighters cited were Rene Adasco, Vic Adriano, Jun Ogayre, Christopher Pequero, Kim Galon, John Moralde and Engelbert Moralde. A special posthumous award was given to boxing promoter and former MINPROBA president Vic Quiambao.

“We know we might have missed out on several other Davao fighters, like the late Arman Picar who once fought for the WBC superwelterweight title,” said Quitain. “We hope to make up for our lapses in another event this August. Our goal was to get the ball rolling. Now, we’ve honored our Davao and basketball heroes. I felt guilty since childhood, my only love and passion was basketball and my only boxing memory was when I used to tag along with my father at the MC Gym to play hide and seek with my brother under a boxing ring while Papa was one of the boxing judges. After the boxing, my brother and I would go to the Three Sisters Restaurant for a halo-halo. Later, I had a classmate, the late Joe Faune, who became an amateur boxer and often invited me to watch him train.”

Quitain said the “hometown ring heroes” were chosen from a list of fighters with roots in Davao. “Councilor Ibuyan, Vic Adriano and Eddie Enia did the initial screening,” he said. “We looked at fighters who have won titles with character and integrity and gave honor to our country in international events. Then, Hall of Fame vice president Niel Dalupines, board secretary Toto Mabaquiao and board director Langlang Pantejo took over as members of the search and awards committee.”