IS VILORIA SNUBBED BY OFFICIALS UPON HIS RETURN IN MANILA?
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 24 Nov 2012
Brian Viloria, the kid they called 'Hawaiian Punch' and WBO World Champion as we all know is now the unified flyweight champion, having won the WBA title from Mexican ace Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez last weekend at the LA Sports Arena.
That feat has not been done for many, many years and that alone deserves recognition particularly from the Filipino boxing fans and powers that be in boxing, the media included.
As Filipino boxing champions do, particularly those based abroad, they would fly to Manila to share their victory to their countrymen.
Viloria did just that.
For some reason or another, we were informed by reliable sources that Viloria was not greeted by the powers that be when he arrived in Manila.
While it is true that he arrived at a very ungodly hour (I was told about 3:00am) because the plane probably decided to skip a stop-over in Guam and flew straight from Los Angeles to Manila, there was no reason for anyone in Manila not to organize a ?salubong?, a formal arrival greetings so to speak.
A token representation from the authorities and the media would have been sufficient.
There was no need for long colorful streamers trumpeting his name, nor bouquet of flowers for his wife.
?Basta may sumalubong man lang sana,? as one pundit said (Even a token person would have been okay).
But that did not happen.
Viloria was ignored and that indeed is a crying shame!
The usual arrival greetings that were organized for Nonito Donaire Jr and Manny Pacquiao were glaringly absent. Particularly from the city officials in Manila.
The lack of recognition could have been easily swept under the rug had they organized a ?formal welcome? later on.
But none was done.
Now, why did this happen?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Photo: Viloria arrives in Manila.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Weights From Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
Sat, 19 Apr 2025JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
Sat, 19 Apr 2025June 8: Junto Nakatani-Ryosuke Nishida Bantamweight Unification Showdown Headlines Tokyo Super Card Streaming LIVE on ESPN+
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Thursday’s Action at the 2025 USA Boxing International Open Concludes
Sat, 19 Apr 2025H2O Sylve Returns to the Ring April 26th At Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta Amado Vargas Is Co-Main Live On BLK PRIME
Sat, 19 Apr 2025FM Arca bounces back, defeats IM Laohawirapap of Thailand in 6th round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 19 Apr 2025