28 September 2005
Ilocos Sur awaits boxing idol Viloria
VIGAN CITY – Brian Viloria, the Filipino-American boxer who stunned the world by scoring a sensational first-round knock out against World Boxing Council junior flyweight champion Eric Ortiz in Staples Center, Los Angeles City, U.S.A. on September 18, will be given a hero’s welcome here when he comes home in a few days.
A provincial board resolution approved Friday congratulated Viloria, now living in Hawaii although a son of Ilocos Sur, for snatching the world boxing crown and for being an inspiration to legions of boxing, fans all over the Philippines and the world.
Vice Gov. Victor Savellano, presiding officer of the provincial board, said Viloria is a pure-bred Ilocano, his father being from barangay San Jose, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, and his mother from Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur.
Viloria is expected in Ilocos Sur in a few days to visit his ailing grandfather who is now confined in one of the hospitals in the province, an opportunity for him to also see his other relatives who he had not seen for a long time.
The Vilorias now live in Hawaii where Brian was born. But when he was six months old, he was brought by his Hawaii-based parents to Narvacan. It was only when he was already six years old that he was brought back to Hawaii where he lives until now.
Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Chavit Singson earlier joined President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in congratulating not only Viloria but also Rey ‘Boom Boom’ Bautista and Filipino boxing superhero Manny Paquiao for their respective victories in the boxing promotion dubbed as ‘Double-Trouble’ at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
In a privilege speech, Provincial Board Member Suriel Zaragoza, a son of the Narvacan mayor, said Viloria is the first Filipino world boxing champion from the northern part of the country since time immemorial. Most top-rated pugilists are from the Visayas and Mindanao.
A provincial board resolution approved Friday congratulated Viloria, now living in Hawaii although a son of Ilocos Sur, for snatching the world boxing crown and for being an inspiration to legions of boxing, fans all over the Philippines and the world.
Vice Gov. Victor Savellano, presiding officer of the provincial board, said Viloria is a pure-bred Ilocano, his father being from barangay San Jose, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, and his mother from Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur.
Viloria is expected in Ilocos Sur in a few days to visit his ailing grandfather who is now confined in one of the hospitals in the province, an opportunity for him to also see his other relatives who he had not seen for a long time.
The Vilorias now live in Hawaii where Brian was born. But when he was six months old, he was brought by his Hawaii-based parents to Narvacan. It was only when he was already six years old that he was brought back to Hawaii where he lives until now.
Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Chavit Singson earlier joined President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in congratulating not only Viloria but also Rey ‘Boom Boom’ Bautista and Filipino boxing superhero Manny Paquiao for their respective victories in the boxing promotion dubbed as ‘Double-Trouble’ at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
In a privilege speech, Provincial Board Member Suriel Zaragoza, a son of the Narvacan mayor, said Viloria is the first Filipino world boxing champion from the northern part of the country since time immemorial. Most top-rated pugilists are from the Visayas and Mindanao.
