WHERE ART THOU?
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 08 Mar 2012
Rodolfo "Jun" Aquino 's week has been interesting to say the least. A week after his unfortunate incident involving Floyd Mayweather, Jnr and his team, Aquino's days has been busy. Not from his paintings and art projects but from the attention he has been getting after Philboxing broke his story.
His phone has not stop ringing. He has been interviewed by various media outlets regarding the incident that happened last Thursday at the Grauman's Chinese Theater where his painting of Mayweather was allegedly taken from him by the boxer and his entourage. He has been swamped with calls from family and friends asking updates about his "missing" painting. He has heard advices that ranged from the serious to the outright funny. He has been the subject of boxing forums where he has received both sympathy and ridicule from his said ordeal. The simple painter from Quezon City, is in the center of yet another Floyd Mayweather controversy.
Aquino has not received his missing painting as of press time. He filed a report of the incident this week at the Hollywood police station that has jurisdiction on the case. His statement regarding the incident was derived from him by the police. One that he described as unnerving. "Iba pala dito, ako na nag - file, pero parang ako ang suspect." (It's really different here, I am the one who filed the complaint but it seems like I was the suspect.) Aquino was referring to the process of interview that was conducted at the police station. "Nakakakaba doon." (It's nerve-wracking.) he added. One that he understands fully, given that his complaint is against a high profile individual.
Aquino wants to resolved this case without the need of pursuing a case against the superstar boxer in court. This, despite the numerous encouragements to do so. "To tell you the truth, maraming nag-aadvise sa akin I-push ko or I-sue ko na siya." (To tell you the truth, people have been advising me to sue him) said Aquino. "Magkakapera daw ako, pero di kaya talaga kaya ng konsyensa ko ang mangotong." (They said I will get money from this but my conscience does not justify doing it for money.) he added.
Aquino insists that all he wants is his painting back, with or without Mayweather's signature on it. "Okay lang kahit wala." (It's okay if there is no signature on it.) He also wanted to talk to the famous boxer and straighten things out with him. He expressed that he is saddened by what he reads that accuses Mayweather of theft. "Hindi naman niya siguro sadya iyon." (Maybe he did not mean to do it.)
This tells you what kind of man Aquino is. That despite the transgression committed against him, he is not quick to judge. Not at all. Right from the start, Aquino gives Mayweather the benefit of the doubt. There is no malice in his bones. He is devoid of any opportunistic behavior. This despite, being admonished to do so by people around him. He has even given Mayweather an alibi to get out of this mess from my first conversation with him regarding this matter, citing misunderstanding as the cause of all this. Aquino decided he will wait on Mayweather and his camp to do the right thing. He will wait for their explanation regarding this and he promises to be non -judgmental about it. And he has been waiting for a week now.
Mayweather owes it to Jun Aquino to at least talk to him and explain his side of the story. It is also paramount that he makes an effort to return the painting that was taken from Aquino. This is just the right thing to do. And with the various controversies and cases Mayweather has faced and is facing, he does not need this one. He dodged jail time from his domestic battery case in Las Vegas pending his "contractual obligations" to the city and this case if pursued by Aquino can force the courts to take a second look at their deal. He will not only lose millions of dollars but also lose the little time he bought by fighting Miguel Cotto on May 5 to bring revenue to the city. He is in hot water already. He should be avoiding being submerged into a boiling pot which can result from this. And for the boxer who maintains his greatness in the ring because of his ring savvy, it is not a smart thing to just pretend this is not happening. Because, in spite of Aquino's willingness to wait, patience is not a permanent thing for everyone.
Will Aquino be willing to give the painting to Mayweather if the famous boxer asks for it. Aquino said yes. "Oo, Kung hingin niya sa akin ng maayos or mag-pagawa siya" (Yes, if he asks for it properly or he request that I paint one for him.) Aquino told me. "Sila Freddie Roach nga, di ko siningil. He gave me lang a cap ng Wild Card so happy na ako." (I made one for Freddie Roach and has not asked anything for it. He gave me a cap from his Wild Card Gym and that made me happy.) he claimed. He also shared that he did not get any money from the Muhammad Ali portrait that he made which was given by Manny Pacquiao as a gift to the boxing legend for his birthday celebration last month. "They are legends in boxing and I am lucky I can be near them." professed the avid boxing fan. "I am so blessed and thankful despite this," he added. I asked him what he has learned from all of this and he jokingly told me, "that I protect my paintings at all times," an obvious boxing reference to Mayweather. "Huwag yun, biro lang." (Don't write that. It's just a joke.) he laughingly remarked.
Here is hoping that a man who is blessed with money, popularity and recognition in Floyd Mayweather do the right thing to a simple painter who only wanted a simple signature of him in his work. And even if the world does not believe his explanations, Jun Aquino will.
Top photo: Aquino's painting that was taken by Mayweather.
Aquino poses with a photo of his painting after filing a report at the Hollywood Police Station.
You may contact the author at rrmaze24@aol.com for reaction to this piece.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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