POST-GAB CONVENTION NOTES
By Alex A. Paglumotan, GAB Commissioner
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 26 Apr 2006
The 1st ever GAB Philippine Annual Boxing Convention came to a successful conclusion last Saturday, April 22nd 2006 with some high praises coming from different boxing communities both from local and international attendees.
"It was a global initiative and GAB should be commended for doing it", in the words of World Boxing Federation (WBF) President Mick Croucher who is based in Melbourne ,Australia.
I just got the email of Patrick Cussick from WBC Muay Thai group saying, "Congratulations for a job well done and thank you for the kindness of the people from the Philippines, especially to Chairman Eric R.Buhain."
David Young who is the top man of the World Boxing Empire (WBE) whose Asian Commissioner to the Philippines is Dante Almario also said, "This is great for your professional boxers in the Philippines and considering that this is first time in history, you did it remarkably".
Well-supported by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo through the Honorable Executive Secretary Eduardo R.Ermita, the event was indeed a world-class initiative. Give it to Chairman Eric R. Buhain, who authored this historical event and the GAB people and the TEAM Asia who made it strongly possible. Congratulations to all of you guys!
The opening night, which saw the local and international delegates converging in getting to know each other at the "acquintance dinner banquet" held at the presitigious Elorde Grand Ballroom in Paranaque City where wine and food were heartily offered by the Elordes through their matriarch Dona Laura Elorde, with my good friend Johnny, Liza, Bebot and the entire Elorde clan. We doff our hats to you, the Elordes for the support of the program! Take a bow.
The "Gala and the Awards Night" on the 20th of April marked the most exciting event of the convention. It was well-attended not only by the participants themselves, but by those who are members of the boxing family and by people in the top heirarchy of national government of the country.
Headed by Executive Secretary Eduardo R.Ermita, PCSO Chairman Serge Valencia, PAGCOR Chairman Efraim Genuino, Congressman Mayo J.Almario, Mayor Jeffrey Ferrer of La Carlota City, Neg.Occ., Mayor Bing Leonardia of Bacolod City who also brought with him the Masskara Dancers as the main performers of the event as entertainment to our guests,and of course the ever supportive and loving wife of our GAB Chairman, the Honorable Congresswoman of the 1st Dist. of Batangas, Eileen Ermita-Buhain.
The affair, described as a local "Oscars" by one of the guests, was a star studded moment in the history of Philippine boxing. Our beloved reigning WBC International super-featherweight king and our very own People's Champion Manny Pacquiao led the entourage of Filipino champions who received their awards for the first time bestowed by the Republic of the Philippines through its implementing arm and vanguard of pro sports agency,the GAB. Top executives of the boxing federations and councils of the world were also in cloud nine when their respective organizations as the sanctioning bodies in pro boxing were given the national recognition as our co-partners in the development and evolution of professional boxing all over the world. As covered by the world's known Solar Sports Television and Philboxing.com, the jampacked exhibit hall of the Hotel Hyatt can speak for the event itself.
The free-to-the-public boxing match dubbed as the "Rumble at the Bay" held near the fountain of Rajah Sulaiman Park in the City of Manila also added to the glitter of the conclave. It was aired live again via Solar Sports. Jun Paderna, the reigning Filipino PABA super feather weight champion in an impressive performance retained his title against Kularbdang Kiatkrerin of Thailand via a unanimous decision after 12 rounds of the championship bout. Thanks to the Team Asia for such a wonderful promotion. Joey Fornier, your the man !
Finally , may I just say BIG THANKS to our friend from the tri-media who in one way or another have supported the GAB to provide public info campaign. And to other private sectors and organizations who have extended their open arms to this agency in having this affair realized, many thanks. So far,we have reached our mission in "showcasing the best among our Filipino great fighters of the ring" and in the near future "by building up more and more national champions toward global excellence and recognition". If others felt uncomfortable, jealous or somehow tried to discredit us due to their interests that might not be given due course, please understand that we are doing this not for ourselves but for the good of our Filipino boxers. We know that under the circumstances, we cannot please everybody here. This is reality in our society.If you are actively working for the common good, others may just look at it from a negative perspective especially when they cannot perpetuate their own agenda.
Thank you so much to one and all and OUR CONGRATULATIONS to the men and women who have labored so hard for the success of this convention. This will become the show window for a bigger task next year.And that is, to host the World Boxing Council world convention here in the City of Manila.
We did it with flying colors!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex A. Paglumotan, GAB Commissioner.
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