For ARMM fighters, boxing is life

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — For Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) boxers competing in Palaro 2013, the “sweet science” is not just a sport.

Boxing is their life.

Believing that boxing can help them attain education, these pugilists want to deliver the goods for ARMM and, in the process, catch the eyes of scouts and get scholarships for their education.

Highs and lows

The ARMM high school boxing team, composed of six lads from conflict-ridden Maguindanao, come to Dumaguete City to vie for medals in the country’s biggest sporting event, which gathers the best elementary and high school students nationwide.

However, their experience as young fighters isn’t rosy by any means.

“Medyo mahirap ang buhay namin sa Maguindanao, konti nga ang allowance namin, P1,500 lang hindi kagaya sa iba,” said Allan Balit, speaking on behalf of his teammates. “Pero kahit ganun, mahal talaga namin ang boxing.”

(Life is hard in Maguindanao. Our allowance for the whole stay in Palaro is only P1,500 not like the other. But even if it’s that way, we really love boxing).

Allan’s teammates nodded in agreement.

Going for the gold

With modest expectations in this year’s Palaro, the team did not promise anything but vowed to give it their best once they compete.

“Sinosuportahan din kami ng magulang namin sa pagbo-boxing, at siyempre gusto rin naming manalo, ito ang gusto namin, hindi natin alam [what will happen in the Palaro],” added Balit, who also participated in last year’s Palaro in Pangasinan but failed to win a medal.

(Our parents support us in boxing and of course we want to win. This is what we want, we don’t know know what will happen here).

The ARMM boxers also dream of finishing their studies, and it’s in boxing where they pin their hopes.

“Balak namin makatapos ng pag-aaral, nakikipag-sapalaran kami sa boxing, baka may kumuha sa amin,” Balit quipped.

(We plan to finished school. We try our luck in boxing, maybe someone will see us and help us).

A week after Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Guillermo Rigondeaux, the ARMM boxers want to dedicate their bouts in Palaro to the “Filipino Flash.”

“Para kay Donaire ang laban naming dito sa Palaro.” – Rappler.com