Philippines, 13 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Salute to a hero, an all-time great


PhilBoxing.com


The national sports hero Filomeno ?Boy? Codi?era loved to say that Lauro Mumar, his fellow Cebuano, was the finest basketball player the Philippines has produced. Of course, they can?t dispute that Carlos Loyzaga was our greatest basketball hero. But Boy Codi?era would swear that, counting on total worth, Mumar had the sharper cunning, prowess, and better command on the court.

Loyzaga was named to the Mythical Team in the 1954 World Basketball Championship in Brazil, where the Philippines captured the bronze medal.

Mumar was the skipper of that national squad, which he had rescued many times from sure defeat with his fabled foxiness and incredible foul-baiting gifts.

Loyzaga had the solid sparkling credentials.

Mumar, as attested to by Codi?era, stood out with sly pinch-and-nudge intangibles that had distracted and diverted many tall and burly opponents in foreign fields.

Codi?era, 77, passed away on Tuesday. There is a picture of him, frail but handsome in a crisp barong tagalog. It was taken last February during the Philippine Sportswriters Awards Night where he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

His remains lie in state at the Holy Trinity Memorial in Para?aque City.

Codi?era in that photo appeared delighted, fulfilled, dignified. Too bad that many younger sports fans have not been fortunate enough to savor his greatness. Codi?era was not known to very many Filipino sports enthusiasts, who can?t be blamed because he happened to be a baseball great, not a basketball star. He was also a national softball team standout.

Codi?era?s most popular feat came during the 1972 World Men?s Softball Championship at the Rodriguez Sports Center in Marikina. In the final inning of the game against powerhouse Mexico, Codi?era, with two outs, drove a game-winning grand slam home-run that sent the big home crowd erupting in delight.

An athletic scholar at the University of Santo Tomas, where he served in both in the baseball and basketball teams, the tall, doe-eyed, heavy-set Cebuano star went on to join the Manila Police Department, and at the same time play for the Canlubang Sugar Barons in the Manila Bay Baseball League.

His international achievements included a starring role for the national team that won the bronze medal in the 1960 World Amateur Baseball Championship in Hawaii. He was a vital cog in the national team that finished a strong fourth in the 1968 Men?s World Softball Championship. He made it to the Guinness Book of World Records after he scored seven consecutive doubles in that Oklahoma tournament.

Codi?era was a main pillar of the world-famous RP Blu Boys.

He fathered three sons, Harmon, former national cager Jerry, and Pat, who all made it to the PBA.

He suffered a stroke in 2004, but it took no time for him to again make a regular after-office round of his regular haunts around the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, off P. Ocampo, formerly Vito Cruz St. Codi?era was also known to raise his own funds in order to accompany national baseball and softball teams to major international tournaments.

Anyway, of these beer nooks, the old Memorial Cafe, opposite the main entrance to the old basketball stadium, was Boy C?s favorite. He was regularly seen there, often with Raul Sta. Rosa and Rey Manzanares, his teammates in the national team; also with trusted national cage team trainer Skip Agcaoli, the poet Erwin Castillo, congressional executive Pepito Aguila, Turo Valenzona, barangay leader Ocay Espiritu, Fr. Edgar Martin and many other friends. To all of us, Boy Codi?era remained a loyal doting ally in that glorious gaming period when national sports was run and managed with competence, compassion, fairness, professionalism, even with humor?a whole glorious world apart from today?s tyrannic, irresponsible stranglehold by Peping Cojuangco, an impotent figure who appeared bent on perpetuating his anomalous leadership, by hook or by crook.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “The Wonder Boy” Carl Jammes Martin Ready to Shine October 29 at the 50th Anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 19: JOE FRAZIER FIGHTS ALI, QUARRY AND ELLIS AGAIN
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Berchelt captures "Reynosa" WBC commemorative belt after triumphant return
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Supeyia Fights Mamdouh in Brico Santig’s Thailand Show; Elmo Traya and Raymond Yanong Also in Action Oct 25 LIVE on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • PIJUS LABUTIS MAKES HISTORY WITH MAIDEN MATCHROOM MAJOR TRIUMPH IN HANOI
    , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV DEFEATS DAVE ALLEN AND DEMANDS TO FACE AJ NEXT
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Domingo faces Fajardo in Thrilla in Manila 2 Countdown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Doroma-Aranas 2 on October 13
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FOR FISTS OF FURY 8, TOMORROW NIGHT AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camique Busts the "Mafia" in Tanzania!!!
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • DAY FOUR: NEUHAUSEN, CAPITO, VERGARA AND LABUTIS CHARGE INTO SEMI-FINALS IN HANOI
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • RED OWL BOXING BOXFEST XVI LIVE ON DAZN RESULTS: DEONTE BROWN DEFEATS GRIMARDI MACHUCA
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • SBA Expands Scouting Tour to Discover New Talents for Season 2 Team Expansion
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camigue KOs unbeaten Ibrahin Mafia in Tanzania
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • DARE TO ENTER: ORTIZ VS. LUBIN LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY, GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES STACKED PRELIMINARY CARD FEATURING FAN FAVORITES ERIC PRIEST AND ROBIN SAFAR
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Ennis vs. Lima: Boots is Back in Philly
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Weigh-in Complete: Philadelphia's Jaron Ennis and Uisma Lima Set for WBA Interim World Title Fight
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Ronny Alvarez Training Camp Notes Ahead of Most Valuable Prospects 16 on DAZN
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington Featured in Exclusive Global Boxing Network Interview
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • SHEFFIELD WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS ALLEN AND MAKHMUDOV FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TME
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Manchester says Goodbye to Ricky Hatton
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • DAY THREE: CHUA AND GORST KNOCKED OUT AS BIADO, YAPP AND SHAW MARCH INTO LAST 16
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • JARON ‘BOOTS’ ENNIS AND UISMA LIMA PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 10 Oct 2025
  • RED OWL BOXING: BOXFEST XVI – OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
    , Fri, 10 Oct 2025
  • Irish amateur star Jim Donovan Right back in ring after pro debut
    , Fri, 10 Oct 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.