RomyMac’s Ali memories
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 24 Oct 2025
Romy Macalintal is known as an astute electoral lawyer. But not too many know that 50 years ago, when he was 28, RomyMac had an unexpected two-hour encounter with Muhammad Ali at the Manila Hilton Hotel on Sept. 22, 1975, a little more than a week before the historic “Thrilla In Manila” at the Araneta Coliseum.
RomyMac has been invited to attend the gala dinner on the eve of the “Thrilla In Manila” Golden Anniversary “Blow By Blow” boxing card presented by Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao at the Novotel Hotel. Liza Elorde, who is organizing the gala dinner, said among the guests will be WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, WBC vice president/head of the International Championship administration Mauro Betti, “Thrilla” referee Carlos Padilla, Ali’s wife Lonnie, Ali’s daughter Rasheda and Ali’s former business manager Gene Kilroy. In the gala dinner program, RomyMac will make a four to five-minute power point presentation detailing what transpired in his meeting with Ali.
RomyMac was a second year UE law student when he ventured to the Manila Hilton Hotel carrying a scrapbook of Ali clippings. He only wanted Ali’s autograph on his scrapbook. But after showing the scrapbook to Ali’s lawyer Albert Griffin, he was asked to meet the champ at the Presidential Suite.
“I was left alone with Ali,” recounted RomyMac. “He stood up, extended his right hand and shook mine. He told me he deeply appreciated my collection. He explained it was the first time he’d seen a collection like this, done when he was just a struggling challenger, not just compiled because fans knew he was coming to town. He repeatedly used the word ‘authentic’ to describe my collection, a sincere appreciation for the effort I had made years before he reached his peak popularity.
“When I requested for his autograph, he did not only give me one, he signed about seven of my clippings that he liked most. But the incredible experience didn’t end with the autographs. He invited me to see a movie with him. He personally set up an 8mm film projector with episodes from the Lee Marvin series ‘The Lawbreaker.’ We sat together on the carpet and watched about four installments. He mentioned he only watched crime movies and cartoons. What made the moment truly unforgettable was his kindness. Every so often, Ali would stand up, get juice, chocolates and biscuits and serve them to me, an act of humility that left me utterly stunned. That Sunday, I was the only fan Ali allowed to enter his dressing room at the Folk Arts Theater.
“Ali passed away on June 3, 2016. Though he may remain a legend for the new generation, for me, he will always be real. That face-to-face meeting with him for two hours was truly one of a kind. That one-on-one encounter 50 years ago was and will always be the Greatest.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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