VIGAN CITY – Governor Luis “Chavit Singson” of Ilocos Sur said on Monday that a hero’s welcome is being ready for the arrival of the Brian Viloria, Fil-Am boxing champion in the province.
The newly crowned World Boxing Council light flyweight champion who arrived in Manila Sunday is scheduled to visit his hometown of Barangay San Jose, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, on Wednesday.
Singson said the provincial government is preparing a hero’s welcome to honor the only purebred Ilocano to capture a world boxing title. “I will accompany him to visit different but beautiful places in our very own heritage city of Vigan,” he said.
Singson disclosed that as Ilocanos will honor Viloria in the same manner that residents of General Santos City hailed boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.
Rodel Viloria, the champ’s uncle, said that Brian will visit his grandfather, Oscar Viloria, at their family house in Barangay San Jose, Narvacan.
Meanwhile Acting Mayor Emma Cabotage of Narvacan said the municipal government, including the barangay captains and the Department of Education officials have also prepared a motorcade for the boxing champion.
His father, Benjamin Viloria, is from Barangay San Jose, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, and his mother, Rosemarie, is from Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur.
Viloria spent his early childhood in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, before returning to Hawaii, where he was born, when he was five years old.
Mayor Edgar Zaragoza of Narvacan initiated introduced a resolution before the town council congratulating Viloria.
Viloria knocked out Eric Ortiz in the first round of their title bout on September 11 at Staple Center in Los Angeles.
