VALCARCEL: ?THE SHOW MUST GO ON? (PHOTOS)
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 24 Oct 2017
Aboard Norwegian Sky ? ?The show must go on.?
That was what WBO president Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel told the assembled delegates to the 30th WBO Convention here Monday night despite the tragedy suffered by Puerto Rico, the location of the boxing body's headquarters, due to two powerful hurricanes Irma and Maria that ravished the island last month that knocked out its electric power, water and other basic services which effectively halted the island's normal flow of daily life.
?We have to get back on our feet. And I thanked everyone for coming over especially those from far away countries like Japan and the Philippines for making the effort. We will do our work quickly because I want you to enjoy the ship and the islands,? Valcarcel said.
The WBO 30th convention, which will formally open Tuesday morning, is held aboard the luxury ship Norwegian Sky on a 4-day vacation tour that departed at Miami port Monday afternoon and will make its first stop in Havana, Cuba by 8:00 a.m. Tuesday. It will depart Havana by five in the afternoon the same day and head to the Great Stirrup Cay private island in the Bahamas where it is expected to arrive at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. It will then depart at 11 a.m. Thursday where it is expected to arrive back in Miami at 7 a.m. Friday.
The ship, which carries 2,200 passengers in this voyage, has a pool deck, casino, restaurants, night club and bars, theater, art gallery and conference halls. It also offers a satellite Internet connection.
The Monday evening cocktail reception reestablished connection among boxing officials, promoters, managers, matchmakers and boxers. The Philippine delegation was well represented headed by GAB chairman Abraham Mitra and his wife Rossel, promoter Johnny Elorde and wife Liza, well-traveled referee Danrex Tapdasan and his wife Mary Joy. The Rontal family, boxing promoters based in Cagayan de Oro, headed by patriarch Florecio 'Florskie' Rontal, young promoter Kenneth Rontal and his lawyer wife Amabelle and their son, and Kenneth's New York based brother Van were in full force joining the convention. Boxing judge Salven Lagumbay and this writer rounded up the list.
WBO president Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel speaks to the delegates during the cocktail reception Monday night.
Some of the delegates listen to Valcarcel.
The Philippine delegation. Seated (L-R): Mary Joy Tapdasan, Rossel Mitra, Danny Sandoval's wife, Liza Elorde, Atty Amabelle Rontal and Beboy Rontal; Standing (L-R): Johnny Elorde, Danrex Tapdasan, Danny Sandoval, Abraham Mitra, Van Rontal, Leon Panoncillo Jr, Florencio Rontal and Kenneth Rontal.
Referees all (L-R): Robert Hoyle, Kenny Bayless, Russell Mora, Benjy Esteves, Danrex Tapdasan and Mark Nelson.
Vacationers enjoy the pool on the top deck of the Norwegian Sky (below).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Ennis vs Stanionis: Jaron Laces Up His Boots for a Battle in Atlantic City
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 12 Apr 2025Ennis and Stanionis Hit the Scales Ahead of Saturday's Welterweight Title Clash
Sat, 12 Apr 2025Full Fight Card Announced for Sanman Boxing Show Featuring Marlon Tapales on April 27
Sat, 12 Apr 2025TONIGHTS Roy Jones Jr Card Weighin Results
Sat, 12 Apr 20252025 PHILRACOM ROAD TO TRIPLE CROWN
Sat, 12 Apr 2025Haven for Pinoy boxers
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 11 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM FISTS OF FURY 6 AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD, IN HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA
Fri, 11 Apr 2025Golden State Warriors Shoot Selves on Foot, Lose to Wembanyama-less Spurs, 114-111
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 11 Apr 2025IIEE-PSME Quezon City wins three in a row in PCAP All-Filipino Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 11 Apr 2025FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FOR BOOTS VS. STANIONIS IN ATLANTIC CITY
Fri, 11 Apr 2025Ramon Cardenas: “Undisputed Is The Ultimate Prize”
Fri, 11 Apr 2025Marco “El Tiburón” Romero returns to Denver this Saturday for another Rocky Mountain High
Fri, 11 Apr 2025Canadian super lightweight prospect Eric Basran Ready to make a statement competing in inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Fri, 11 Apr 2025HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TRAINER KENNY ADAMS
Fri, 11 Apr 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS REIGNING WBC SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION FRANCHÓN CREWS-DEZURN TO A MULTI-FIGHT DEAL
Fri, 11 Apr 2025