TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL--Z "The Dream" Gorres and Czar Amonsot arrived here yesterday morning following their successful Las Vegas stints, and was greeted in what is easily the most elaborate welcome reception ever accorded on a non-political figure in Bohol history.
Both fighters, who were accompanied by their manager Antonio L. Aldeguer and promoter Sammy 'Don King' Gello-ani, were met by a drum-and-bugle corps, as well as personnel sent by Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim to fetch the group, which included mediamen from Cebu.
To highlight the occasion, giant network ABS-CBN sent in a crew on board a helicopter just to cove r the mammoth return of Tagbilaran's pride Amonsot, who won via an impressive decision over Cristian Favela last February 3 at Las Vegas' Orleans Hotel.
Gorres, an adopted son of Tagbilaran City, also won on the same card by decisioning Mexican toughie Jose Alfredo Tirado.
Nemesio Monton of BAP-Bohol, who led the group that fetched the duo at the seaport, revealed that Amonsot's win served as an inspiration to all the local folks, who all came out of their houses to see him on board a caravan around the city.
Both fighters then proceeded to the St. Joseph Cathedral of Tagbilaran for a short prayer, before proceeding to radio station DYRD for an inteview.
From there, the fighters were then ushered to the Tagbilaran City Hall, just minutes before Mayor Lim could finish his well-applauded State of the City Address.
SOCA
Mayor Lim, a lawyer, made special mention of boxing in his SOCA, expressing pride at hosting 'Bakbakan sa Tagbilaran,' the biggest boxing event in the history of Bohol.
"In the field of Sports, there is no denying that for a brief moment the eyes of Philippine boxing sports enthusiasts was on the City of Tagbilaran when it hosted the successful defense of Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista which was also the occasion when Tagbilaran's Czar Amonsot won his Asia-Pacifi title.
Lim, an avid sportsman, also cited Manny Pacquiao's heroic rise to boxing stardom, enjoining the youth to follow their footsteps.
"Manny Pacquiao found out that victory has many fathers...The search for future Pacquiaos and Boom-Booms has started with our modest program for amateur boxing. We have emerged champion in the 16-and-under category for the Visayas but we intend to make Tagbilaran the national champion," Lim said in his speech.
Confetti rained from the city hall's glass-transparent ceiling, as members of the Bukang Liwayway Dance Group swayed to the tune of the Kuradang. Shortly thereafter, Amonsot was conferred his beautifully-crafter Plaque of Appreciation by Mayor Lim.
"This is how we normally receive returning local heroes who make good and lasting impressions abroad that will spur and encourage the youth. Boom-Boom Bautista and Amonsot embody that very spirit of the Boholanos--they have conquered poverty and went on to excel in their fields," observed Lim's man Friday, Mark Monton.
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