Jimrex Jaca was just another boxer when he left for his US debut.
After his first-round conquest over Geronimo Hernandez in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales battle last Jan. 22, the 23-year-old Philippine super-featherweight champion has become an instant hero in his hometown Sibulan and the entire Negros Oriental province.
Yesterday, Jaca returned home to celebrate his town’s fiesta and found himself the most beloved person in the entire province.
Local officials treated Jaca and his party to a motorcade around the main streets of Sibulan then to Dumaguete City, where he was also welcomed warmly by government officials.
The reception was so touching it moved Jaca to tears.
Sibulan will award Jaca for the honor he gave to his town. The Negros Oriental Government is also expected to give the same to the former Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super-bantamweight champion.
Jaca, whose real name is Jimwel Divino, is again slated to fight in the US in a March card, which will feature Pacquiao’s younger brother, Bobby, in the main event.
