BAUTISTA ARRIVES IN BOHOL; ALA THANKS PACQUIAO
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 27 May 2006
In Tagbilaran City, sensational young boxing phenom Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista arrived just hours ago amid a cult-like welcome from his fans and relatives following his third-round demolition of Roberto Bonilla last Sunday in Los Angeles.
After he disembarked from the Weesam fastcraft that took him from Cebu City, where he stayed overnight upon arrival from Manila, the dynamite-fisted Bautista was met by City Hall employees and ordinary folks at the port. Accompanied by his manager Tony Aldeguer, Bautista and the group were then taken around Tagbilaran's major thoroughfares for a grand parade.
The Freddie Roach/Edito Villamor-trained Bautista, a devout Catholic, then passed by the city's Cathedral for a short prayer to thank the Lord for his victory, which he considers a victory also of the Boholanos.
Easily the second most popular Boholano in history next only to former Philippine president Carlos P. Garcia, Bautista and his manager were surprised to learn that after his fight against Bonilla, which was shown live in a Tagbilaran City moviehouse, Boholanos shed tears of joy following his impressive annihilation of the Nicaraguan hitman.
After his visit of the Cathedral, Bautista then proceeded to a local radio station where he answered queries from local mediamen.
Bautista then proceeded to the Tagbilaran City hall, where Mayor Dan Neri Lim, a major supporter, accorded him the honor as the city's Adopted Son.
"This is just so unbelievable. This is like cult-following," gushed a visibly impressed Tony Aldeguer, who considers Boholanos as a people who truly cherish the victories of one of their own.
PACQUIAO PAVED THE WAY
"After all is said and done, I'm still very thankful to Manny Pacquiao, because his victories in the US have paved the way for the other boxers to get recognized world-wide. And it's nice to know that Pacquiao cares for these boxers, as shown when he went to see Bautista's fight against Bonilla and personally congratulating Rey for a fine win," added Aldeguer.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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