CAGAYAN DE ORO has always been one of my favorite places to visit. Not only does the place offer a natural vista of lush greenery and a quaintness about it it?s called the “City of Golden Friendship.”
But last week?s trip afforded us an even better look at the rest of the province of Misamis Oriental. Our genial host, Gov. Oscar S. Moreno, that workaholic smart lawyer and sports buff who is the anti-thesis of the traditional politician, saw to it that we were able to take a look-see around the province and indeed it was a pleasant revelation.
We were there last week-end for the WBO-Asia Pacific Mini-Flyweight Championship between CDO native Milan Melindo and Thailand?s Naupayak Sakkririn. But as part of our TV special, our TV crew went around Misamis Oriental, going as far east as Gingoog City to document the breathtaking sights and sounds of the paradise province. Along the way, the group experienced more of the innate goodness of the people, the natural beauty of the countryside with their Spanish-era structures and white sand beaches and oh, the food! Glorious food! Fresh produce from the sea and fruits galore all at unbelievably low prices had us stuffing ourselves to near gluttonous proportions.
But after that trip to Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental, our memory banks will always include the indelible image of that great fight card we had last Saturday. We covered 8 bouts and I exaggerate not when I say that each of them was a smashing hit. The crowd certainly thought so, as they cheered every match lustily as all sixteen boxers gave it their darnedest best.
From the four-rounders to the Main Event, the action was furious and suspense-filled that even those among our group who were watching boxing for the first time were mesmerized. The judging and officiating were also superb, and there were no controversies.
The crowd was also into the Vismin competition, where we pitted seven Visayan boxers against an equal number of fighters from Mindanao. There was a lot of cheering and jeering from the obviously partisan Mindanao crowd, but all good-natured and pleasant.
We will not give out all the results here as that would preempt the TV special we are going to show on Solar Sports and RPN-9 (Oct. 21 and 28, both Sundays at 3-4 p.m.). That is something we urge you to watch out for, since the coverage (if I may say so myself) was handled with professionalism and enthusiasm from some of the best TV personnel we could get a hold of.
We would be remiss if we didn?t acknowledge the many personalities who gave us all-out support in the boxing promotion, starting of course with Gov. Moreno who really outdid himself in propping up the project, together with his point men including our good friend Val Rosabal, businessman Eden Huang, Board Member Peter Unabia (of Sr. Pedro Manok fame), Mayor Clint Puertas, etc.
It is easy to see how the Misamis Oriental local government has been performing excellently after observing Gov. Moreno?s staff handle their tasks diligently and competently, obviously moving to the beat of the good governor. Provincial Administrator Patrick Gabutina is just as dedicated and energetic as his boss, and their staff wastes no time and motion as they go about their business.
I would like to especially thank Nadia Fabe for being like a nanny to me and my staff in our entire stay. Ditto Camille Tagotongan (the gov?s secretary to whom nothing was impossible), PR lady Maricel Rivera, Lorna Najeal and so many others who made life so much easier for us.
Tony Aldeguer and his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Kristine, came all the way from Cebu not only to lend moral support to their boxers but also to share their vast knowledge about boxing promotion with us for which we are deeply indebted. Other boxing personalities who shared their experience and savvy to us include Leonel Lazarito and Mario Eronico, as well as Bobong Yap of Zamboanga.
The GAB office in Cagayan do Oro headed by Director Carlos Almirante was also very supportive.
Our TV crew headed by our Executive Producer Ms. Susan O. Trinidad, TV Director Dong Capinpuyan, commentator Dennis Principe and Equipment Provider Jojo Labella all performed splendidly. We again urge you to view the fruits of their labor on two consecutive Sundays-Oct. 21 and 28 on Solar Sports and RPN-9 from 3 to 4 p.m.
We know you?ll like it.
Our thanks too to our sponsors San Miguel Beer, PCSO, Outlast Battery and Petron Corporation. Bayan Wireless raffled off several phone units for the live audience.
