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:
WEIGHTS FROM MANCHESTER: CATTERALL - 146.5 LBS., EUBANK - 146.5 LBS.
Sat, 05 Jul 2025Vincent Astrolabio in LA training alongside Manny Pacquiao
By Ace Freeman, Sat, 05 Jul 2025Jason Sanchez Upsets Previously Undefeated Julian Gonzalez in Philly
Sat, 05 Jul 2025Meatball Launches Boxing Career With Matchroom
Sat, 05 Jul 2025The Queens of Philippine Boxing are Training in Cebu
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Raising the Game: Jean Henri Lhuillier’s Unmatched Impact on Philippine Tennis
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025GM Eugene Torre to grace the Asenso Ozamis Open Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025The Second Rise of Jesse Espinas
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Boxing Golden Age Comparison - Philippines and Japan
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kittipong, Magdalena, Kim, Kritiphak Claim Wins in Brico Santig's Show in Bangkok
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kremlev, Crawford, Fury Launch IBA's Golden Era of International Boxing
Fri, 04 Jul 2025International Master Angelo Young stays on course for GM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Robby Gonzales and Yoseline Perez Progress to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Fri, 04 Jul 2025Fireworks Ahead: Magsayo vs Mata in Prelims of Pacquiao vs Barrios
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Japan's Boxing Golden Age Remains Limited to the Lower Weights
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 03 Jul 2025