Fervent prayer for Donaire

By Al S. Mendoza

 

THE case of Nonito Donaire Jr. reminds me of Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.

Elorde, as a boxer, had his father-in-law as his manager.

His name was Lope Sarreal Sr.

Lope, who was my friend, was a regular guy who delighted both his friends and foes alike with stories of adventure, here and abroad.

As an international matchmaker in boxing, he had many friends and foes as well.

You know how it is in boxing.

This sport teems with angels.  Also snakes.

Jimmy Cannon, the great American sportswriter, aptly called boxing, “The red light district of sports.”

Lope knew that by heart.

He said he’d both treat with equal passion his friends and foes.

“You can never go wrong if you act that way,” he said to me.  “In my parties, they are all invited.”

But he said he didn’t have foes.

“I only have critics,” he said.

He had lived that long (he died in his 90’s) that “soon, I have outlived all my critics, which made life boring for me.”

Lope played in bands in Shanghai – piano, sax, drums, etc. – before the war.

He was a gourmet, who’d cook impromptu, usually lechon kawali and crispy pata.

In his house during gatherings, he’d jump out of his seat to do that, bringing with him his half-filled glass of brandy – leaving us in suspended glee.

Upon returning from his cuisine ways, his glass would be almost empty.

He’d immediately refill his glass and say, “Resume speed!” His stemmed glass raised up high.

As Elorde’s manager, Lope charted his son-in-law’s career through all kinds of weather.

Never has Elorde encountered any storm in his 7-year reign as world junior lightweight champion.

Now to Donaire.

Dodong to his family and friends, Donaire had his father as his trainer and manager from Day One.

When Dodong fell in love with a pretty woman, his relationship with his Dad went sour.

Soon, even Dodong’s Mom distanced herself from her son.

The first time he became world flyweight champ, Donaire’s parents weren’t on his side.

Recently, before Donaire captured the world bantamweight title, his parents, particularly his Mom, came out with all guns ablaze, accusing the boxer of not being a good son, especially on money matters.

It broke my heart.

It’s not very usual to see our parents hit us in public.

But then, I was all the more saddened when Donaire hit back at his parents.

I was told Dodon’g wife was the rift’s main reason.

In short, Dodong stuck by his wife.  Fine.

What isn’t fine is, Dodong seems, for now, is not bent on mending fences with his parents.

I pray he changes his mind.  Soon.

As sons and daughters, we maybe right but right does not mean we have every right to fight our parents.

They scold us, we keep quiet.

They hurt us, we keep quiet.

May Donaire see the light.  Soon.

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