CEBU CITY—Our Cebu Pacific flight was delayed and the traffic from the Mactan Airport to the legendary Casino Español was monstrous that we almost missed the welcome dinner for Pinoy Pride 28 hosted by Aldeguer patriarch Tony and son Michael, president and CEO of ALA International.
We must have looked very hungry when we arrived because Tony immediately led us to the buffet table. Only a few guests were left.
After collecting our food, we were ushered to one of the tables occupied by fellow-scribes from Manila. Also in the table were PhilBoxing’s Dong Secuya and two physicians introduced as Dr. Ed De La Vega and Dr. Rene Bonsubre.
Inquirer’s Roy Luarca said Dr. Bonsubre was Pinoy Pride 28’s appointed ring physician for the Saturday night event, which featured Donnie Nietes versus Mexican Carlos Velarde in the main event. It was a very prestigious post for the Filipino doctor, according to Roy, since he has the authority to stop the fight.
Dr. De la Vega, on the other hand, who is based in the United States, is a manufacturer of mouthguards. I never had the chance to ask him if he was the same De la Vega who was caught in the crossfire during the free-for-all that erupted during the Johnriel Casimero-Luis Lazarte fight in Argentina about two years ago.
Nietes is out to break the record set by the legendary seven-year champion Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.
A huge party awaits Nietes and the entire ALA entourage if he wins against Velarde Saturday night and breaks Elorde’s record.
Secuya told the group to watch out for 19-year-old featherweight Mark Magsayo, who, he said, has the potential of being ALA Boxing’s next superstar.
Tony Aldeguer countered that Prince Albert Pagara was his bet.
Meantime, Michael Aldeguer disclosed that they have embarked on a developmental program early this year which aims to discover more young talents who will become a regular fixture of their “Pinoy Pride” series.
The initial “Idol” event which was aired by ABS-CBN’s Studio 23 and co-hosted by Bulletin’s Nick Giongco was held in Ecalante headlined by Pagara.
The plan is to go global next year. The next “Idol” will be held tentatively in California.