Paalam, Ate Laura…
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 08 May 2020
May 8, 2020
Mactan, Philippines
A solemn request from our friend Mr. Rolando Bohol…
“I’d like to ask you, my friends at PhilBoxing.com and PinoyGreats.com, to be with me in this short tribute for the late Ate Laura Sarreal Elorde who joined our Heavenly Creator last Sunday, May 3, 2020.”
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Mr. Rolando Bohol was born on Christmas Day in 1965 in the western Visayan province of Negros Occidental---the sugar bowl of the Philippines. The birthdate, by default, perhaps destined him for the world of the Sweet Science.
In his journey in the boxing world, he achieved a sterling amateur record (24-1), the IBF flyweight world championship, the regional OPBF super-flyweight crown and challenged for the 118-pound title.
His birthplace and old stomping ground, the City of Himamalyan, is a slingshot away from the barangays where the greatest Filipino fighters hail from---Francisco “Pancho Villa” Guilledo, Benjamin “Small Montana” Gan, Eleuterio “ Little Dado” Zapanta, Francisco “Young Tommy” Opa, Ben Villaflor, the Fighting Peñalosas (brothers Dodie Boy, Gerry, Jonathan and their father Carl) and Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, just to name a few.
Figuratively, Lando was a pamasko (a gift) to his family and to the Philippine boxing community.
He is a devoted, deeply religious man who, along the way, became a reluctant movie actor and role model, successful entrepreneur and philanthropist.
“I consider myself to be an accidental boxer. The profession of boxing has been good to me. The victories and defeats have shaped who I am today,” says Mr. Bohol, “My heart is filled with joy and gratitude and I have the Elorde family to thank especially the late Mr. Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and Mrs. Laura Sarreal Elorde, my original promoter Lope “Papa” Sarreal. They took me in as one of their own.
“May our Lord God bless you, Mrs. Laura Sarreal Elorde. Thank you for being a great mentor and for always making things easier for me. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful mother figure in my life.”
With Ate Maria and Ate Laura Elorde
“May our Lord God bless and comfort you and your family. Thank you for being a great mentor and for always making things easier for me. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful mother figure in my life. Your unconditional love means everything to me. 🙏”
“We will never forget you. We will pray for you as you prayed for us. May God give you eternal rest.
“Paalam, Ate Laura. Rest in peace.”
‘Until we meet again… Maraming salamat po!🙏”
With Ate Laura, a young Bai Elorde and Mr. Joe Cantada
The day I won the IBF Flyweight title as covered by Mr. Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol and Mr. Joe Cantada. Mr. Lope “Jun” Sarreal, Jr. is in the aqua shirt (January 16, 1988)
With Ate Laura and Duke McKenzie in London, England (October 5, 1988)
Author’s Note:
To the family of Ate Laura and Bay Elorde,
Our deepest condolences. Thank you for your great contributions to the world of boxing. The lessons you have imparted to us and our fellow fans of the Sweetest Science will never be forgotten.
Rest well, and please say hello to my late father Hermie Rivera, and thank you for remembering him twice on your Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Awards Night. And to Mr. and Mrs. Johnny and Liza Elorde, I hope to meet you once we conquer the invisible, formidable foe we can beat called SARS-CoV 2, otherwise known as Kid Covid-19.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
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