Who Wins Pacquiao Dela Hoya Fight?

Boxing analysis by Recah Trinidad, Philippine Daily Inquirer Columnist

No contest and no need to dig into prizefight records, either.

Manny Pacquiao on Friday scored his biggest, quickest off-ring knockout when he formally agreed to fight the fight of the decade against a bigger, richer, glossier Oscar de la Hoya.

So what if it has the makings of a mismatch, in favor of the Golden Boy, right at the start?

Yes, the only edge Pacquiao could visibly bring inside the ring at MGM Grand is his age.

At 29, the smaller, shorter but reputedly quicker Pacquiao will not be carrying in his legs the burden of the years, rust and cobwebs that have been predicted to hobble down the 34-year-old De la Hoya come fight time on Dec. 6.

* * *

Experts will predictably be divided on how the fight would shape up and finish.

The biggest letdown, of course, is the risk of the bout not being scored based on superb athleticism.

There's the great danger of the fight being decided mainly on physical disparity.

It could be that our man is too small or the enemy is too old and tired.

Could it be that Pacquiao would prevail mainly because De la Hoya is already slower, softer than the famed Golden Boy the world has learned to adore?

Or it could also turn out that De la Hoya, despite the visible slide in his abilities in recent fights, has one precious, golden final blast that could erase and offset Pacquiao's perceived advantage.

Pacquiao - De La Hoya's Weight Problem Before Boxing Fight

By Marc Anthony Reyes
Philippine Daily Inquirer

There's still another weighty issue to deal with as far as the planned Manny Pacquiao-Oscar de la Hoya megabout is concerned.

Pacquiao's camp is asking for a penalty of no less than $3 million per excess pound if the Golden Boy doesn't meet the catch weight of 147 lbs.

"We still don't have any deal yet with regard to that but we are asking $3 million," Pacquiao's chief counsel Franklin Gacal told the Inquirer.

De la Hoya has not fought in the welterweight division for the past seven years and will be coming down two weight classes to meet the current WBC lightweight titlist.

Pacquiao will leapfrog two divisions to meet him though he has not gone past the lightweight ranks (135 lbs) since starting his pro career at light flyweight (108 lbs).

Both camps have also yet to agree on the date of the weigh-in, something that could tilt the favor either way.

Pacquiao is pushing for the same-day weigh-in but Gacal admitted that it won't be acceptable to De la Hoya's camp.

"We want it to happen the day before fight," said Gacal.

Is Manny Pacquiao Like Barack Obama?

From the column of boxing thinker Recah Trinidad. He writes an advanced preview of the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar Dela Hoya.

Anyway, going to the latest rare knockout Pacquiao has scored, the feat also helped our disgraced national sports leaders.

While we were waiting for a bigger event, not necessarily another tragedy, to overlap the dismal, discouraging showing of the Philippine contingent in the Beijing Games, Pacquiao handily provided a festive atmosphere that definitely soothed frustrated Filipino sports fans both here and abroad.

Pacquiao has momentarily provided excitement to a nation that had prayed and hoped for at least a medal from the Olympics but which was instead repaid with dismal setbacks in the Beijing battles.

Manny Pacquiao, just like Barack Obama, did make history by simply signing up for the fight against Oscar de la Hoya.

In the process, Pacquiao swept under the rug the anomaly of the failed Philippine mission to the Beijing Olympics.

Of course, the biggest beneficiaries are again the incompetent national sports leaders who have refused to learn from their mistakes.

These same sports officials, no better than village quacks, offered a new set of cures and promises but, with no hint of change we can believe in, have also assured themselves of another all-expenses paid excursion to the next Olympics in Britain.

Long live Manny Pacquiao, Philippine pride and savior of shamed sports leaders.

Dela Hoya Knocks Out Manny Pacquiao?

People have been talking about this fight between Oscar Dela Hoya and Manny Pacquiao. Who will be knocked out first? Recah Trinidad of the PDI wrote an interesting opinion on the sensational fight.

There will be endless debates.

But there's no assurance the fight will go to the younger but quicker or, God forbid, to the older but bigger, warrior.

It will be war and the winner will be the smarter and, definitely, the braver one who would risk everything to prevail.

There will be a clash of two schools, between combatants of contrasting build, prowess and lifestyles.

Based on available ability and achievement, the sensational Pacquiao would draw enough wagers to his camp.

But it goes without saying that De la Hoya could still swing it riding on the intangibles.

In fact, the strongest weapons De la Hoya could bring into the fight may not exactly be that worn-out, limited artillery Pacquiao and his trainer have gleefully observed and dismissed.

Manny Pacquiao Defeats Oscar Dela Hoya?

Here's a curious observation of PDI columnist Recah Trinidad of the Inquirer newspaper.

Experts will predictably be divided on how the fight would shape up and finish.

The biggest letdown, of course, is the risk of the bout not being scored based on superb athleticism.

There's the great danger of the fight being decided mainly on physical disparity.

It could be that our man is too small or the enemy is too old and tired.

Could it be that Pacquiao would prevail mainly because De la Hoya is already slower, softer than the famed Golden Boy the world has learned to adore?

Or it could also turn out that De la Hoya, despite the visible slide in his abilities in recent fights, has one precious, golden final blast that could erase and offset Pacquiao's perceived advantage.

Manny Pacquiao Fights Oscar De La Hoya Boxing Preview

Recah Trinidad of the Philippine Daily Inquirer wrote an interesting preview on the upcoming fight between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar dela Hoya. Read on...

No contest and no need to dig into prizefight records, either.

Manny Pacquiao on Friday scored his biggest, quickest off-ring knockout when he formally agreed to fight the fight of the decade against a bigger, richer, glossier Oscar de la Hoya.

So what if it has the makings of a mismatch, in favor of the Golden Boy, right at the start?

Yes, the only edge Pacquiao could visibly bring inside the ring at MGM Grand is his age.

At 29, the smaller, shorter but reputedly quicker Pacquiao will not be carrying in his legs the burden of the years, rust and cobwebs that have been predicted to hobble down the 34-year-old De la Hoya come fight time on Dec. 6.

Job and Work Opening

We are pleased to inform you that the Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) through the Philippines - Canada Cooperation Office is seeking applications for a LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MANAGER.  The Terms of Reference (TOR) detailing the background, scope of work, roles and responsibilities and qualifications are attached and is also posted in the PCCO Website.

The LGSP-LED Philippines is a collaborative 8-year program of the Governments of Canada and Philippines, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and implemented through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Its purpose is to reduce poverty by strengthening local governance and supporting sustainable local economic development (LED). The Canadian Executing Agency (CEA) of the program is a consortium of the Canadian Urban Institute and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges.

This is a full-time position will be based in Manila and will require travel to various regions.  Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent and a comprehensive CV, not to exceed 4 pages) detailing the following:

    * Name and citizenship:
    * Education and pertinent dates and degrees received:
    * Language(s) spoken, read and written, and degree of proficiency in each category:
    * Length of service with current firm and status: (permanent, temporary, contract employee, associate, etc.)
    * Present employer and position in the firm (if applicable):
    * Pertinent experience: A summary of the skills and experience that would be valuable and applicable to this project:
    * A history of employment and assignments (in reverse chronological order):
    * Service in and knowledge of developing countries:
    * Supportive experience: A summary of other skills and experience that could serve as background and be beneficial to this project:
    * List of publications/presentations, if applicable:
    * Membership in Associations:

Please send your application via email to lgspledpm@pcco.org.ph not later than August 27, 2008, Wednesday, 5PM. Only short-listed applicants will be called for interview.

We also encourage you to share this information with your colleagues and network partners who might be interested and qualified to apply for this position.

Thank you for your continued support.
 

Sincerely yours,
 

GARY NITORREDA
General Manager

Philippines - Canada Cooperation Office
The Program Support Unit of CIDA in the Philippines

9th Floor, Salcedo Towers, 169 H.V. dela Costa Street
Salcedo Village, Makati City, 1227 Philippines
T (+63) (2) 813 8255 F (+63) (2) 892 8913 M 0920-906-9108
www.pcco.org.ph

Soldiers Build Schools For Children

By Angeline Valencia

Confirming effective tandem of the local government unit and the military in bringing development to far-flung areas, the Tubigon-based Engineer Support Battalion (ESB) erected another two-classroom for only P600 thousand, this time, in a high school at the heart of a forest zone in Sierra-Bullones, Bohol.

Governor Erico Aumentado and Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Elpidio Jala led Friday morning's ribbon-cutting and turn-over ceremonies for the two-classroom school building in Dusita High School, with Brigadier General Arthur Tabaquero, commander of the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, as the guest of honor.

In 40 days, the 53rd Engineer Brigade under Col. Arnaldo Fernandez Jr., through the Macaas, Tubigon-based troops of the ESB under Lt. Col. Ramon Ruiz, finished the building- -already fully-painted, with toilet, plumbing, electric wiring, insulator ceiling, blackboards.

Each classroom has an area of 8X7 meters.

On behalf of the Department of Education (DepEd), Jala vowed to provide the chairs.

It was the third two-classroom school building that the ESB troops constructed this year, in a counterparting partnership with the provincial government, DepEd, and the Office of the President.

The soldiers had earlier built a two-classroom building for a public school in Batuan in March and one for Buenavista in May.

In the ceremony, Col. Arnaldo Fernandez Jr., commander of the 53rd Engineer Brigade, turned over the school building to Col. Raoul Reyes, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, who then turned it over to Provincial Engineer Edwin Vallejos, who turned it over to Governor Aumentado.

Then, from the governor, the symbolic key was passed on to Jala, then to Sierra-Bullones Mayor Simplicio Maestrado Jr., then to Sierra-Bullones District Coordinating Principal Juana Ismael, then to Dusita Barangay Captain Basilio Café Sr., then to Dusita High School Principal Felix Galacio Jr.

In his inspirational message, Aumentado told the school staff and students in the crowd that the provincial government intends to build more school buildings in partnership with the 53rd Engineer Brigade under the 2nd Joint School Building Program (SBP) for DepEd's "red" and black" schools, Aumentado said.

On Galacio's additional request for more buildings and the needs of schools in other towns, Aumentado told school officials that the provincial government will continue to find additional funds for the project's second cycle.

This year's budget of P21 million for the program, the figure may double to P42 million in the second cycle next year, he said.

The governor also announced that the Provincial School Board, which he chairs, will meet this week to discuss more funding to continue the counterparting strategy in implementing the school building program as instructed by DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus.

The program's implementation will sweep through all "red and black schools", he said.

For parameters purposes, the program classify schools as to "red schools"- -those with severe classroom shortage, having a classroom-to-student ratio of 1:56 or more; and "black schools" as the most deprived- -those without existing classrooms or those that make do with temporary or makeshift classrooms.

Aumentado understands that the project's low floor price proved unattractive to contractors as it barely offers any profit, considering the continuously increasing prices of construction materials.

Already paid as soldiers, the government can save on labor cost.

Aumentado also lauded the efficient leadership of Sierra-Bullones Mayor Simplicio Maestrado that introduced major changes to the municipality that he said once lagged behind in development trailblazing before the mayor's administration.

On this, the governor takes pride on having made the right decision in personally picking out Maestrado to run under his ticket in 2001 elections.

Aumentado also attributed the smooth implementation of many development projects in the province under his watch to the strong support of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In his message, Tabaquero, who had served as battalion commander of the 302nd IB of Camp Sikatuna based in Carmen for a period of time, took the opportunity to thank Aumentado for his recommendation that helped facilitate his installation as division commander of the 8th ID dubbed as Storm Troopers.

Tabaquero told the crowd that, though he is not a professional educator, he knew, as he was once a high school student, "how important it is for students to have decent classrooms".

It is in the classrooms that teachers mold students into "responsible citizens and positive contributors to progress and development of our country", and so the provincial government and the municipal government of Sierra-Bullones and the stakeholders exerted efforts to build the school building, "to highlight once more the importance of education to the youth, communities and the country," he said.

He added that right education can be achieved with the combination of decent classrooms, passionate teachers as mentors and role models of students, and diligent students.

"The school building is actually our investment on the youths. We are investing on them, because, to borrow the words of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, 'the youth is the hope of our future'," Tabaquero said.

Managing Provincial Jail

Top officials already finalized talks on the take-over of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in the management of the Bohol Detention and Rehabilitation Center (BDRC).

Top BJMP officials were here on August 17 to discuss with the provincial government, the details of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that shall be signed.

BJMP-7 Regional Director Rosendo Diel, Jail Chief Superintendent Doris Remedios-Dorigo, and BJMP-7 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Cesar Balderas were here to meet provincial officials.

Earlier, the Provincial Board (PB) passed Resolution 2008-200 dated June 3, 2008 authorizing Governor Erico Aumentado, to commence the negotiation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the transfer of management BDRC to BJMP which has the technical capability and expertise in jail management.

However, pending approval of House Bills 502, 3441 and 3666 placing for the purpose the provincial and sub-provincial jails under their jurisdiction, BJMP officials expressed willingness to enter into a MOA to fully manage the BDRC with terms and conditions addressing the concerns of the provincial government.

Provincial Jail Administrator Neil Avisado, con-current Tagbilaran City district jail warden, accompanied the visiting officials to the on-site inspection on the BDRC facilities.

Then they had a meeting with Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay, on behalf of the governor, at Prawn Farms Restaurant in Island City Mall, where they finalized the details of the MOA to be signed by BJMP and the provincial government next month.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada Wants War With MILF

Like his father former President Erap Estrada, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is a staunch advocate in wiping out the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) thru an all-out war.

The senator was in town yesterday and met with a handful of reporters last night at the Miravilla Restaurant.

The young Estrada was reacting to a question about the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain between the MILF and the Philippine government.

Jinggoy said if only Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo follow the tack of former Pres. Erap there would have been no MILF creating trouble in Mindanao today.          

During Erap's presidency, the former chief executive unleased a mailed-fist policy against the MILF resulting in the capture of many rebel camps including its main headquarters Camp Abubakar.

It was different during GMA's time, Jinggoy retorted.

Instead of declaring an all-out war against the rebels, GMA coddled them and talked peace.

In the guise of seeking peace with the MILF, what the GMA administration got was the outbreak of violence in several Mindanao provinces resulting in the deaths of scores of civilians and the evacuation of thousands.

In his brief sortie in this city last night. Sen. Jinggoy also met with several first district mayors led by City Mayor Dan Neri Lim. Other first district mayors in attendance were Mayors Jose Ugdoracion, Jr. of Albur, Jasmin Balistoy of Cortes and Vito Rapal of Corella. City Kagawads Danilo Bantugan, Oscar Glovasa, Edi Borja and Faro Cabalit also attended the affair.