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Philippines, 19 Apr 2024 |
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ALAs, a Breath of Fresh Tropical Air for World Boxing Straight from the Island of Cebu (Part 1 of 3) By J.V. Tuazon, DPT aka 'The Fight Doc' PhilBoxing.com Thu, 23 Aug 2007 My ALA Experience Visiting the Philippines is always both an adventure and a pleasure. On July 7th , I flew from Manila to the Queen City of the South, Cebu, to partake in Sammy Gello-ani’s SGG Promotions and Korea’s Lee Dong Gyu’s BP Entertainment joint production staged at the palatial Cebu Waterfront Hotel. With several competitive knockouts, the lively affair definitely lived up to the show’s billing: “KO Artists 2 - WBO Asia Pacific Championships.” Being a veteran participant of numerous fights, observed from both outside and inside of the ropes, I am not usually awestruck by the various boxing personalities I regularly cross paths with. On this night however, my instincts felt a little different. Was it the lively bipartisan Filipino and Korean crowd? Was it the entertaining, playful Thai slugger or the intriguing international match ups? Perhaps it was the scantily clad Cebuana ring card girls? At that point I really did not know. What I did know was that there was something special in the tropical air but I was not able to put a finger on it until my return to Cebu a few weeks later. After the fights that evening, I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Antonio L. Aldeguer, boxing patron, business mogul, family man, philanthropist and as I would soon discover, motivational speaker, crocodile hunter, conditioning coach, boxing trainer, and athlete. It was also on that evening that I got to briefly chat with his son, the well respected and articulate Mike Aldeguer, as well as the “Don” or “King” or “Don King” of Philippine Boxing, Sammy Gello-ani, who I have corresponded with in the past, most recently at the De La Hoya – Mayweather affair in Las Vegas. As the diverse crowd dispersed, I reminisced with WBO Asia-Pacific VP Leon Panoncillo about how we first met in a Bangkok back alley Muay Thai Gym nearly ten years ago and about fishing excursions at a nearby Thai river. After exchanging pleasantries and boxing talk, I joined Dr. Ed de la Vega and Dong Secuya at the hotel lounge as they systematically and speedily uploaded the latest Philboxing results and pictures of the evening. Then, just as speedily as the Waterfront Hotel’s broadband wireless internet connection, off I was to explore the colorful Cebu night life! Two days later, I would find myself in Manila trading 10 oz. rugged leather punches with a 1996 Philippine Olympian, drinking San Miguel Beers in metric fluid measurements that when converted to English units would make Ricky Hatton proud, island hopping with wild dolphins, and getting tanned, uh, or rather getting sunburned in beautiful Bohol - home of Pinoy pugilists Rey Bautista, Czar Amonsot, Nonito Donaire, and avid boxing supporter Mayor Danny Lim. Soon, with thirty clear meters and millions of gallons of blue water weighted upon my SCUBA masked head, it was no wonder that boxing was as far from my mind as the nearest ATM. Two calendar pages, countless boat rides, one motorcycle accident, a black eye, and many beautiful Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airline native stewardesses later, I found myself on the island of Cebu…again. And chest deep in boxing - again. My penchant for Philippine pugilism would not let me get away from my destiny for long. I was back to my non escapable reality, namely the black eyes and rope burns associated with the sweet science. On that day, I was still sunburned with sand in my shoes but this time I was in a much drier place – in the office of Mr. Aldeguer with luggage in tow. As busy with his several business ventures as George Bush is with - I don’t know - messing up foreign relations, I was elated that Mr. Aldeguer was taking time out of his hectic schedule on such short notice to meet with me. Whether he just happened to have some free time, or whether he sensed the extreme enthusiasm I exude for the sport as well as my desire to learn more about Philippine Boxing I was not sure. It didn’t matter. I was exhausted but nonetheless excited. I was bound for the guarded, blue gated compound of the ALA group of companies, which range from television networks to sporting apparel to nutritional supplements. Upon entering his busy office of friendly, dedicated workers and bee-lining business visitors, one would think that this was the abode of an egotistical, intimidating and unapproachable figure. On the contrary. Escorted into Mr. Aldeguer’s office by his bright smiling and helpful assistant, I was greeted by a large room complete with a long, multi-chaired conference table at the end of which sat a large desk and big executive chair. Dr. Claw’s steel-clad glove stroking his pet M.A.D. Cat from Inspector Gadget for some reason popped into my mind like a comic book bubble. As the bubbled balloon of Inspector Gadget popped over my daydreaming head from the sound of the closing door, I panned around the room. Boxing paraphernalia tactfully graced portions of the walls then seamlessly merged with the tasteful artwork that adorned the rest of the office. From behind the large executive desk, a welcoming and warm figure emerged. He was tall and fit (I would later find out why at the gym), strongly built like a young PBA basketball forward and had the mature face of an experienced father – happy and warm but also firm and commanding. Standing before me with welcoming arms was Antonio L. Aldeguer, the man ultimately responsible for the success of the ALA Boxing Stable and everything it stands for, the heart and soul behind every “Boom Boom” hook and “Bazooka” uppercut, the “Z” behind “The Dream,” the reason why when faced with adversity, “The Czar of Bohol” wouldn’t say quit, and one of the major reasons why the Philippine Boxing Typhoon has hit the shores of the good ol’ US of A with crashing waves. To be continued… Stay tuned for Part II with more on Mr. ALA and my experience training and sparring at the famed ALA gym. Note: A special thank you to Dr. Ed de la Vega for introducing me to Dong Secuya, the Aldegeurs, Sammy Gello-ani, Philboxing forum members and Paclanders. Thank you to Dong Secuya for making my love for Philippine Boxing and my country of birth even stronger. Although I am not a writer by trade, I am happy to contribute to the growth of Philippine Boxing in anyway that I possibly can, both inside of the ring and out. About the Author: Dr. Josef Vincent (J.V.) Tuazon obtained his Doctorate Degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in the field of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation specializing in Sports Rehab. He is a 3x NJ Golden Gloves Boxing Champion, amateur MMA Champion, professional boxer and business man with U.S. national amateur boxing experience, extensive Muay Thai schooling in Thailand, and a black belt in the martial arts. He boxed for the Golden Gloves Championships in 2005 and was the NJ Team Physical Therapist and Coaching Assistant in 2006. Although he has contributed photos to Philboxing in the past, this is his first foray into boxing journalism. Link to JV's Last Fight Nov. 10, 2006 Editor's Note: PhilBoxing.com would like to give a warm welcome J.V. Tuazon aka "The Fight Doc" to the PhilBoxing.com family of writers. J.V. is a young man whose love for the sport has brought him to diferrent boxing venues all over the world and in and out of the ring. His 'first foray' into writing is surprisingly brilliant to say the least. Click here to view a list of other articles written by J.V. Tuazon, DPT aka 'The Fight Doc'.  |
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