DONAIRE IN EMOTIONAL REUNION WITH GRANDPA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 Jul 2007
Classy Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire who has won the hearts of Filipino fight fans not only with his skill and power in scoring a spectacular fifth round knockout over hitherto undefeated Vic Darchinyan last July 7 but also his decent and respectful manner, has had an emotional reunion with his grandfather.
Nonito Donaire Sr, the newly crowned IBF/IBO flyweight champion’s father said that when Nonito saw his grandpa, Francisco Gonzales who is reportedly 96 years old, they embraced and cried. The Donaires who were given a grand welcome in Tagbilaran City on Tuesday arranged by popular sportsman, Mayor Dan Neri Lim and his executive assistant Mark Monton, were taken to Talibon yesterday where hundreds lined the streets to greet the champion during a motorcade.
Donaire said school children waved photos of the champion as the motorcade passed by and cheered. The champion also met an uncle who is a priest in Buenavista, Fr. Matias Gonzales.
The elder Donaire said his son was overwhelmed by the warmth of the reception and wished to thank Mayor Lim and the people of Bohol as well as Talibon councilor Ppepe Dulang for his warm hospitality.
The Donaires leave for Cebu tomorrow morning and then fly to General Santos City where the Donaires lived before moving to the United States.
Donaire is in the country as guest of the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN and was the featured guest on the network's "live" coverage of the "Coming to Fight" card in Las Vegas last Sunday.
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