Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 17 Apr 2026
Hermenegildo Ordoña Rivera was born on April 17, 1938, in Baguio City, Philippines. Growing up in the cool climes of the Mountain Province, amidst the clouds, he witnessed the fusion of Filipino and American cultures characteristic of "The City of Pines".
As a young waiter, he polished his command of the English language and refined his manners through osmosis and lively interactions with American soldiers at Camp John Hay and international educators at Teacher’s Camp.
Baguio was a bustling hub infused with American influence— a crucible of culture and tradition— and the environment appealed to Rivera, whose autodidactic nature complemented an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
He embraced life with gusto and explored the world through books, travel, and keen observation. Rivera’s journey took him to far-flung corners of the Philippines, like Laoag, Cebu, Davao, Jolo and Aparri.
In 1965, as an aspiring disc jockey, he landed in the coastal City of Dagupan where he met the love of his life, our mother Cristina Pasaoa.
Their union blessed them with six children, Antonio, Charina, Maria Christine, Gerardo, and Hermenegildo Jr., and I, grandkids Keana , Leila, Nikolus, Grant, Louis and great grandchildren Evangeline and Eleanor.
In 1983, Rivera and our family migrated to the San Francisco Bay Area, embarking on a new chapter in their lives.
Rivera's heart remained tethered to his roots, as evidenced by his continued involvement in promoting Filipino culture and heritage, both in the Philippines and abroad.
It was in the world of boxing that he left an indelible mark. Known for his sharp wit and deep understanding of the sport, Rivera earned recognition as a boxing manager, guiding fighters like Luisito “Lindol” Espinosa, one of only seven boxers since 1890 who wore the world’s bantamweight and featherweight crowns, and Morris East, the youngest Filipino world champion.
The Sweet Science had a particular allure to my father. The sport became his metaphor and guiding mantra.
He shared his insights as a fight analyst and his colorful commentary endeared him to fellow fans of the gloved game.
His passion for storytelling led him to a career in broadcasting and lent his voice to various radio and television stations like RPM, DZRL, DZTD, Channel 4 and 5, Philippine Broadcasting Services, MBC 11, IBC 13, National Media Production Center, Maharlika Broadcasting System, and PhilBoxing.com.
"Little Brown Dolls: A Gallery of Philippine Boxing Champions" (Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 20, 1994).
"The Best Of A Nation: The All-Time Top 10 Of The Philippines" (The Bible of Boxing, The Ring), August 1994)
My father, the late Hermie Rivera, cherished every moment he shared with you—his friends, his peers, and even the rare foe.
He is the guiding inspiration for our celebration today, his natal day…and the humble launch of the PhilippineBoxingHallOfFame.org aimed at honoring the stories of The Greatest Boxers Made in the Philippines…Though he would have loved to be here, I am sure he would have insisted that this special occasion not revolve around him.
On January 15, 2016, my father passed away in his sleep at the age of 77, leaving behind a legacy of gratitude, respect and the following message he often repeated during his time with all of us.
“Keep punchin’,” he used to say, “and rise from the canvas like Greatest Boxers Made in the Philippines!”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
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