MAASIN CITY SPORTS 2015 YEARENDER PART II
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 31 Dec 2015
The National Youth Games of the Philippine Sports Commission also known as Batang Pinoy conducted its Visayas Qualifying Leg 2015 in the island municipality of Romblon also the capital town of the Province of Romblon. It started with the Opening Parade and Ceremony on August 23 at Romblon National High School Track and Field Oval.
Maasin City sent about 60 athletes, and coaches/officials. We joined the competition in athletics, swimming, boxing, arnis, badminton, lawn tennis, chess, sepak takraw, and taekwondo. I was the only local chief executive who accompanied the visiting athletes to give them morale booster. Maasin City athletes won 9 golds, 12 silvers and 28 bronzes and placed 8th among 37 LGU's behind Bacolod City, Iloilo City, Leyte, Aklan, Iloilo Province, Negros Occidental and Escalante City.
"Prince" Albert Pagara successfully knocked his Nicaraguan opponent William "Chirizo" Gonzalez out in the sixth round of the initial ALA Boxing Promotions offering in the United States. The country rejoiced as the aspiring young boxing star made a sensational stoppage of the grizzled foe to win the World Boxing Organization intercontinental junior featherweight title during the Pinoy Pride 33rd edition in Carson City, California on October 18, 2015 (Philippine time).
But the Maasin City fans were all astonished when ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. announced that Albert Pagara was from Cebu City, Cebu instead of Maasin City, Southern Leyte. Later Albert posted in his Facebook account that he was so sorry for the incident and he did not know about it.
His FB post dated October 18, 2015 at 1:57 PM: "salamat kaau sa manga fans ug sori kaau sa taga maasin city kay dli jud ako nagbotang ato sayop lang to sila mayor MaloneyChona Samaco sori kaau sila rai nag boot ug botang ato sori." (I thank all the fans and sorry to all people of Maasin City because I was not the one who placed it. They committed an error mayor MaloneyChona Samaco [my FB account] so sorry. It was their decision, again sorry.)
Pagara was warmly welcomed on October 30 by the people of Maasin City, Southern Leyte. A motorcade around the poblacion of the city showed how the citizens of this capital city of Southern Leyte loved their local boxing hero. The motorcade was accompanied by some fifty cyclists from Maasin City which started at the city hall going to the provincial capitol then to his home barangay in Lib-og where he was born. The route include the terminal and public market, the commercial centers, the public plaza then back to the city hall.
Some 23,000 scouts joined the week-long 16th National Scout Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines in Tagum City, Davao del Norte which began on October 24, 2015. Vice President Jejomar Binay, President Boy Scouts of the Philippines, was the keynote speaker while Congressman Manny Pacquiao inspired the boys and some girls with their adult leaders. Pacquiao's presence was a proof that scouting like sports develop the youth to become good and disciplined citizens and let them stay away from harmful vices.
Heavy rains did not threaten the hearts of the scouts as they braved the downpour and thunderstorms which soaked the participants, including this writer who led the 130-member delegation of Southern Leyte, during the opening parade and program at the Energy Park, the main venue of the Jamboree.
Some 1,000 athletes and officials joined the Philippine National Games Visayas Qualifying Leg which opened last Tuesday at the Evelio B. Javier Memorial Sports Complex in San Jose de Buenavista, capital town of the Province of Antique. This writer led the 60 athletes and officials of Maasin City which sent entries in archery, boxing, swimming, badminton, billiards, taekwando, chess, muay thai, pencak selat and athletics. Maasin City won 8 golds, 9 silvers, and 18 bronze medals.
Adones Aguelo was able to land a fight for the first time in Las Vegas, Nevada when he fought undefeated Casey Ramos of Austin, Texas. However, Aguelo lost an eight-round unanimous decision in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas, USA. Judges Burt Clements, Richard Ocasio, and Tim Cheatham all scored 72-80 for Ramos. Aguelo married his girlfriend En-en on September 26, 2015 in Matalom, Leyte in which this writer was one of the principal sponsors.
The city government of Maasin once again sponsored a Boxing Showdown Monday night at Barangay Asuncion Gymnasium in connection with the Birthday of Congressman Damian Mercado. The encounter was participated in by amateur boxers of Tacloban, Abuyog, Matag-ob and Matalom of Leyte and Malitbog and host Maasin City of Southern Leyte. It was held in Asuncion in time for their coming fiesta on Saturday November 28, 2015. The Southern Leyte Boxing Association, which I headed, officiated the 17 bouts.
Some 5,000 athletes and officials converged this city during the opening of the Philippine National Youth Games or Batang Pinoy National Championships in Cebu City on November 27, 2015. The participants were the medalists during the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Qualifying Legs which were held at Malolos, Romblon and Koronadal, respectively. I attended the solidarity meeting of the officials and joined our Maasin City delegation of 60 athletes, coaches and officials during the parade and opening rites at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Maasin boxer Jhayvee Donaire won the gold medal in boxing kids minimumweight division. Roy Jones Cisostomo got the bronze in boxing school boys paperweight division. Team Maasin pep squad won the cheerdance gold, cheerleading silver and all-male stunts silver medal. They were featured by Kara David on "iWitness" over GMA7.
The Boy Scouts of the Philippines Southern Leyte Council conducted its Scouts Christmas Council Jamboree 2015 on December 3-6, 2015 at Camp Danao, City Forest Park, Maasin City, Southern Leyte. Some scouts and scouters started fetching their tents and built their camps a day before the opening. Camp Danao is a 320-hectare forest reserve managed by the City Government of Maasin. The actual number of registered entrants numbered 2,100 which far exceeded our expectations.
Happy Healthy and Sporty New Year to one and all!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
U2: Denys Berichyk Gives Ukraine Another World Champion
Sun, 19 May 2024Dallas Mavs Nip OKC Thunder 117-116 Advance to Western Conference Finals
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 19 May 2024The future is bright for Dasma Cavite Spartans
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 19 May 2024Lone Survivor: Usyk Topples Fury to Win Undisputed Heavyweight Crown
Sun, 19 May 2024Undisputed: Oleksandr Usyk Drops, Edges Fury to Claim Heavyweight Glory
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 19 May 2024Elorde named to WBC body
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 19 May 2024Indiana Bests New York, Forces Game 7 in East Semis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 18 May 2024Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in Semi Finals at PCAP
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 18 May 2024Fury vs. Usyk: The Big One Has Finally Arrived
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 18 May 2024FM Arca remains on top in Vietnam Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 18 May 2024Weigh-In Results: Emanuel Navarrete vs. Denys Berinchyk & Giovani Santillan vs. Brian Norman Jr.
Sat, 18 May 2024WEIGHTS FROM RIYADH: TYSON FURY - 262 LBS, OLEKSANDR USYK - 233.5 LBS
Sat, 18 May 2024THE UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MACHINE WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA TO FACE TOP CONTENDER GIOVANNI CABRERA ON SATURDAY, JULY 6
Sat, 18 May 2024Asia Supremacy: Team Philippines Eyes Strong Showing Vs Team Chinese Taipei
Sat, 18 May 2024THREE TITLE FIGHTS AND THREE UNDEFEATED BOXERS TRAINED BY ROY JONES JR. HEADLINE JUNE 28 BOXING CARD AT LEGENDS CASINO LIVE WORLDWIDE ON BLK PRIME
Sat, 18 May 2024