About a hundred thousand people lined up the streets during the hero’s welcome for International Boxing Federation intercontinental superbantamweight champion Prince Albert Pagara. It was August 15, 2015 the fiesta of Our Lady of Assumption, Patroness of the Diocese of Maasin.
It also coincided with the Ajonay Festival streetdancing as the pickup vehicle carrying the Maasin City favorite boxer and this writer slowly moved with the flow of the festival dancing.
Pagara received the loudest cheers from the audience on the streets. Some shouting “Idol!” and “Mabuhay Pagara!” and “Congrats!”
Hundreds took selfie and gruopie shots every time our car stopped as the dancers presented their numbers to a group of spectators.
We stopped momentarily at the residence of our provincial leaders where he shook hands and slapped high fives with Congressman Damian Mercado, Governor Roger Mercado and Liga ng mga Barangay President Nikko Mercado, my heir-apparent.
Candle-selling relatives and friends of the rising ALA Gym star from Barangay Lib-og shouted and jumped with joy especially when we passed by the Maasin Cathedral. Candle-making is the most common cottage industry of his village where he was born and learned the fundamentals of boxing.
During the program at the over-flowing City Gym before the start of the showdown, we gave the younger Pagara a plaque of appreciation and cash incentive. He was grateful for our never-ending support during his response.
He announced his next fight scheduled on October 17, 2015 in Carson City, California against either a Mexican or Tanzanian. After a victory, a world title fight awaits the undefeated fighter.
Albert squeezed into the Maasin hero’s welcome inspite of his very hectic TV guesting schedule in Manila. An ABS-CBN TV crew followed his motorcade and honoring.
His timely KO win over Mexican Jesus Chito Rios in the very first round cemented our Charter Day theme on August 10, 2015 Maasin@15: Celebrate the City of Champions.”
Maasin City and Southern Leyte are so proud of our young fighter whom many considered as “the next Manny Pacquiao.”
Photo: Prince Albert Pagara with Mayor Maloney Samaco during the Maasin City Fiesta motorcade taken by Melody Banalo Combate.
