Think about it
Marquez warmly received; Pacman jealous
By Jun Velasco
“A man of character finds special attractiveness in difficulty since it is only in coming to grips with difficulty that he can realize his potentialities.” — Bishop Ephraim Fajutagana
WE were at press time working things out to be able to join a press-con for two of the world’s greatest fighters, Manny Pacquiao and his tormentor, Mexican boxing idol Juan Marquez, who just planed in to jointly promote their coming Third Fight scheduled on November 12.
No, we’re not rooting for Marquez, else you’d label us anti-Filipino.
We intend to remind him of our interview via cellphone arranged by biking great Jess Garcia sometime in 2006, when he was with his Filipino-Mexican siblings in San Antonio, Texas.
In the interview, Marquez kept talking to us in Spanish or Mexican-mixed English. We managed to send a sports story to the Manila Bulletin with head, “I Want Pacquiao– Marquez.”
Jess said he first saw our Manila-datelined story in Texas and hoped Juan Manuel Marquez saw it because even in those days JMM’s camp was already agog for their rematch.
They did 2 years later. And in the rematch, the Pinoy boxing icon won a controversial split decision. We watched that fight at Marlene Ocampo’s big TV screen and, in fairness, we saw the Mexican outpointing our hero. Pro-Pacquiaos insist till now however that Marquez’s having been floored in the 3rd round did him in, giving Pacquiao one point edge.
Judging from the warm reception accorded by Marquez’s welcomers including Mayor Fred Lim, we thought Manny Pacquiao must be hurting forgetting that his countrymen, probably including himself, are notorious for their A-l hospitality. For how explain too his oh so lavish attention splurged for recent Manila visitor American beauty Paris Hilton (George Estrada describes her an international fashion model)?
We see bank exec Leah Ferrer-Patungan, a known Pacquiao loyalist, wearing a frown for this known Pinoy vice, err, virtue, their legendary hospitable-ness.
All this points to a mega buck Pacman-Marquez Trilogy on November 12. Watch for it.
* * *
We received this Fil-Am news from Mangatarem pride and high school classmate of cumpadre Al Mendoza, Dan Nino, president of Pangasinan Brotherhood, who reports about a Ten Outstanding Filipino-American Senior Students in Greater Los Angeles affair at the Embassy Suite Hotel.
The night, Dan says, “featured a Boys Scouts Troop 1925 bearing the American and Philippine flags escorted by scoutmaster Toto Cascolan as drummer boy before the singing of the U.S. and Philippine national anthems.
The Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Assn. led by TOFASS Chair and APOGLA Board Chairman Brod Tony Amon and APOGLA President Brod Francis V. Mejia were assisted by Vice Consul John G. Reyes (keynote speaker) of the Philippine Consulate General of Los Angeles and Dan E. Nino, graced the affair. Reyes is native of San Jacinto, Pangasinan.
The honorees Juliz B. Ancayan, a graduate of North High School in Torrance, CA.; Melia U. Asucan, Pasadena High School in Pasadena, CA; Katrina M. Bautista, Carson High School in Carson, CA.; Jeff Aaron Calvo, Azusa High School in Azusa, CA; Eina Del Castillo, Hollywood High School in Los Angeles; Katrina Dawn Lauron, Golden Valley High School; Cara Jaclyn Martinez, Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills, CA; Ma. Denise Panaligan, Burbank High School in Burbank, CA; Sheilmira Glen Pascual, Artesia High School in Lakewood, CA, and Melanie Lomio Viloria, John Glen High School in Norwalk, CA..
Dan reports that several dignitaries from Los Angeles and the Philippines are supporting this undertaking. Including former President Fidel V. Ramos who says “any project that will advance people empowerment through quality education is a worthy and noble cause that deserves success for both the beneficiaries and benefactors.”
FVR sent two books – his dad’s biography book, the late Foreign Affairs Secretary and Pangasinan Congressman Narciso Ramos and his own biography both book authored by journalist Mel Velasco.
Consul General Aragon commended the Alpha Phi Omega for its “continuing mission of developing not only our societies, but also the young men and women who will be our next line of leaders.”
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa commended the group.
TOFASS-GLA goals and objectives are: To recognize and award outstanding senior students of Filipino-American ancestry for their academic and school achievements; 2. To provide scholarship grant to assist students, especially those financially disadvantaged, to help them in a little way in their transition to college.
Congratulations!
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