VANCOUVER – I would like tosay kudos to organizers of the just-concluded Mable Elmore Inter-City Basketball Invitational led by Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Mable Elmore herself and our good friend Jay Razon, president of the Multicultural Sports Development Society (MSDS) and chief architect of the sports event, for the successful project which was concluded in a star-studded and entertainmentladen Gala Awards Night at the Kentizen Fusion Lounge last July 9.

I also would like to acknowledge the plaque of appreciation given to the REYFORT MEDIA GROUP which was received by yours truly as support team, along with several other individuals and organizations during the gala night who were also given their plaques. As a sportsman myself, I am duty bound to endorse this kind of program which I believe will benefit the youths in particular and the entire community in general since it was not only apolitical but primarily aimed at promoting goodwill and camaraderie among participating team/cities in British Columbia.

In sports, everybody is winner. When we are into sports, we win some and lose nothing. During the gala night, I was privileged to meet for the first time Nao Fernando, NDP candidate for Fleetwood –Port Kells, who personally approached to congratulate me after I received the plaque of appreciation. I noticed that Mr. Fernando is also a trueblue sports enthusiast and was there to receive his plaque as a trophy sponsor along with acting Deputy Mayor Ellen Woodsworth, MLA Don Davies (Vancouver- Kingsway), among other prominent MLAs who backed MLA Elmore’s sport program.

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Like my fellow Filipino Canadians who believe in the capacity of creative individuals to scale the heights, I commend the efforts of Jojo Quimpo, prime mover of the Filipino Summer Street Festival in Vancouver known as “Pinoy Fiesta 2010 Unang Hirit sa Tag Init” which will blast off on August 14. Jojo, touted as the “Arnel Pineda of Vancouver” (in fact, in the entire British Columbia) is one unassuming guy who valiantly promotes the Filipino culture and arts without much hullabaloo. Jojo will showcase the artistic Filipino talent in ati-atihan, a world-famous street dance festival of native warriors that originated in Jojo’s hometown in Kalibo, Aklan in the Philippines. I enjoy working with this talented and charismatic guy on various occasions as he is so creative he can connect with the young and “young once” when undertaking certain programs with his Midas touch. Truly, as the popular adage goes, “In unity there is strength.” Good luck, Jojo!

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As predicted by some experts, Filipino prospect Bernabe “Abe” Concepcion would not last the distance with the hard-hitting WBO featherweight world champion and Puerto Rican star Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez who devoured the young boxer from Aljoe Jaro’s stable in less than six minutes at the Coliseo De Puerto in Puerto Rico in Hato Rey, just outside of the capital city of San Juan last July 10. Some sports fans had been very skeptical when reports came out last month that Concepcion, now co-managed by Congressman Manny Pacquiao, would be next in line for the dangerous and unbeaten Lopez. And true to their fears: After four knockdowns in the explosive—albeit short—fight, referee Luis Pabon halted the bout at 2:37 of round two, awarding Lopez the TKO to the delight of his hometown fans.

In repulsing the gritty Filipino customer, Lopez made the sixth successful defense of his 126- pound title and set up a major showdown with future hall of fame boxer Rafael Marquez. The impending marquee fight is scheduled for September 18, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be televised live on SHOWTIME, according to reports gathered by the Philippine Asian News Today. Here’s the report dispatched by fightrnews.com: “It was evident that Lopez used his superior speed and incredible power to knock down Concepcion in the first minute of the bout. After Concepcion got to his feet, Lopez unleashed a ferocious attack, landing multiple power-punches on his desperate opponent. But just before the bell and with his back to the ropes,  Concepcion rallied with a miracle left hook that landed flush and sent Lopez down to the canvas.

In the second, Lopez floored Concepcion twice, forcing the ref to call it a night. “Sometimes you get a little bit overconfident,” said the charismatic champion. “That’s what happened there. I have to be cautious never to be over confident.” The 27-year-old Lopez remains undefeated with 29 wins and 26 knockouts.

In closing, SHOWTIME analyst Al Bernstein said, “Juan Manuel Lopez lights up a boxing ring in so many ways. His personality is as big as the great outdoors. His power is magnificent and he can be, at times, vulnerable and that’s part of what makes him such an exciting fighter to watch.” Donaire who typically fights in the orthodox stance, came into Saturday’s bout against 21- year-old Hernan Marquez looking to challenge himself. Donaire planned to fight the entire night from the southpaw stance. He did so for the first four rounds and landed some powerful straight left hands, especially in the fourth round. But in the fifth, Donaire switched to right-handed and began connecting at will, scoring a knockdown at the end of the round.

Donaire again knocked Marquez down near the end of the eighth round, this time with a terrific uppercut to the head. Referee Roberto Ramirez stopped the bout on the advice of the Marquez corner after the bell. “I wanted more rounds,” said Donaire immediately after the fight. “I knew I could figure him out right away from the righthanded stance. But I was confident (in fighting lefty) and everybody on my team believed in me. I may have taken a little bit of a beating for it, but I feel that I needed that.”

“I will continue to work on my left-handed stance. I feel so much more powerful. Soon you will see Sweet Pea (Pernell Whitaker) or Marvelous Marvin Hagler from me. That’s what I want to do.” Donaire improved his record to 24-1, with 16 KOs. Marquez dropped to 25-2 (18 KOs).