LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Despite the strong rains brought about by monsoon and the strong quake that shook Southern Luzon and much felt in the Big City, the second round of the community pantry for boxers will take place at the Elorde Gym in Paranaque today.
Donors including Thai philanthropist Naris Singwangcha, former boxers and martial artists turned trainors/coaches in Dubai, a boxing aficionado based in Honolulu, Hawaii as well as boxing promoters joined forces to start the second round of the community pantry to help boxers adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Brico Santig, who has been stuck in Dubai for more than a month now due to lockdown there, said Singwangcha has donated more than P40,000 for the effort to help local boxers left penniless with fights cancelled since the March 17 lockdown last year.
American Cal Williams of Hawaii shelled out more than P10,000 while Dubai-based boxing coaches led by former top amateur prospect Jun Paderna and Wangal resident raised Vince Dangley and their colleagues pooled P9,000 are among the top contributors that will allow boxers to have 10 kilos of rice each and a bag filled with groceries in today’s gift giving.
Santig said that boxing promoters that include host Bebot Elorde, Dante Almario, himself and fellow La Trinidad boy Darwin Miller Dep-ay, among others dipped into their pockets for the effort that is expected to be duplicated in Visayas, Mindanao and Northern Luzon, particularly here.
Sidelined boxers, doing odd jobs now, will get their pack at the Elorde’ Sports Complex in Sta. Rita, Paranaque.
Santig and ward JK Natuplag, who saw action in the premier UAE city last June 5, have been twice denied to come home due to the extended lockdown in the premiere Middle East destination.
