2012 07/11-07/17

MANILA MAIL COMMUNITY

DONAIRE WINS!

By Bradford Adkins

Bay Area’s pride, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, Jr. of San Leandro, CA knocks down in the fourth round, Republic of South Africa’s Jeffrey Mathebula last Saturday night, July 7, 2012 at The Home Depot Center in Carson City, CA to win the unified World Boxing Organization (WBO) belt and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title. The fight lasted 12 rounds with the 5-inch shorter Donaire edging out the five-foot-eleven Mathebula in all three judges’ score sheets (117-110, 118-109 and 119-108), thereby getting the nod via Unanimous Decision.

Donaire exhibited dominance and control early on during the fight, faking moves here and there and landing whooshing solid jabs until the decision-making left hook that sent the surprised Mathebula dropping on his back, flat on the canvas floor, towards end of Round 4. The crowd was predominantly for the Filipino boxer as Mathebula struggled to get up, still groggy, before the bell rang and saved him for the next rounds.

The succeeding rounds had the more aggressive Donaire pursuing for an early finish but the elusive Mathebula had performed a better job in running away with terror in his eyes.

In summary, the Filipino won in all rounds, but one, in Judge Deon Dwarte’s cards. Judge Steve Morrow gave two rounds to the South African while Judge Jonathan Davis gave three rounds to Mathebula.

“The better man won,” Mathebula was quoted after the fight.

So, what’s next for The Filipino Flash? Donaire has already a list of challengers for his next fight, namely WBA champion Guillermo Rigondeaux, Japanese Toshaki Nishioka (who sat and watched ringside last Saturday the action) and Mexican fighter Jorge Arce.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum was quoted later though, that Arce is favored to fight Donaire next in October this year at the Staples Center in Los Angeles mainly due to the huge following of both the Mexican and the Filipino boxers in the Southern California area.

Incidentally, Manny Pacquiao, who was expected to attend & watch Donaire, did not make it to the fight, as reportedly he is still in Israel for the Holy Land tour with his family.

The New Unified WBO and IBF Super Bantamweight Champion, Nonito Donaire, Jr can dance! He arrived at exactly 11:20PM at the after party held at Sevilla Night Club in Long Beach, CA, fresh from his unanimous decision victory against South Afraican Mathebula last Saturday.

CONGRATULATIONS Alexandra Drechsler for being proclaimed Miss Teenage SAN JOSE- 2013 making her eligible to win college scholarships & the Miss Teenage California crown! She will be City of San Jose's official candidate to the 2013 Miss Teenage California Pageant to be held in Los Angeles in April next year!

Watching intently on the ringside last Saturday is one of Donaire's pobable next opponent - Japanese boxer Japanese Toshaki Nishioka.

Mrs. Rachel Marcial Donaire, wife of WBO & IBF Super Bantaweight Champion, Nonito Donaire, Jr. celebrates with VuQo President Rich Cabael at Sevilla Night Club in Long Beach, CA last Saturday night.

The well-applauded Chelsea Ematta, right, sang the US National Anthem during the Donaire/Mathebula fight in Carson City's The Home Depot Center, shown here with Journalist Alex Pascual of Los Angeles.

Fil-Am Miss Nicole Gatbunton, Digital Marketing Manager of Chivas Soccer Team in Los Angeles is planning a 'September to remember' event for the sports FilAm community, shown here collaborating with Adrian Lecaros of Carson City, CA.

World Champion Boxer Glenn Donaire did a surprised visit to Mr. Filomeno M. Gaudinez who celebrated his 99th Bday in San Jose C. Mr Fiomeno Gaudinez was formerly the annoucer for FISTORAMA , a boxing weekly TV show in Manila, Philippines. He was also the announcer for the "Thrillah in Manila" fight with Joe Frazier and Muhammed Ali.He also did movies with the late Philippine Movie King Fernando Poe Jr. In full attendance was the children of the Bday celebrant, Grace Marquez, Ron & Josie Gaudinez, Walter & Ruby Manawis, his grand children and all other special guest at the party. Glenn Donaire gave a T-shirt and signed picture to the celebrant .

Dona Maria Jesefina McLure celebrated her 86th Birthday at The Glitzy Mansion of Florence Vitug Pena and Fashionista Rhuddee Gaudinez Vitug attended by the members of the Group of Samahang Filipino of the Most Holy Trinity Church.

Tripple treat birthday greetings to Gelly and Gerry Mack (yes, they're twins!) shown here with fellow July 12 celebrant - their Auntie Edwina Aniag, Operations Manager of Manila Mail Newspaper. Happy birthday, all!

Zoie Elise Waddell celebrated her 1st birthday with an all pink-themed at the Twila Reid Park in Anaheim, CA tendered by beaming parents, Robert and Angie Waddell.

PISTAHAN FESTIVAL on August 11-12

(The annual Filipino-themed event had a record-breaking attendance last year)

SEEN IN THE CITY

Last year’s attendance was record-breaking. The 19^th Annual Pistahan Parade and Festival is expected to be even bigger this year – scheduled to be held August 11 at 11:00am until August 12 at 5:00pm to be held at the Yerba Buena Gardens, located at Mission and 4th Streets in San Francisco.

The event is the largest celebration of Filipino Americans in the U.S. and is expected to draw over 70,000 people. It is FREE admission and fun for the entire family!

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, this year's theme is "Bridging Cultures and Communities" and the Pistahan Parade and Festival will celebrate cultural connections and influences of Filipino heritage to other communities.

The PISTAHAN PARADE will kick-off the weekend festivities and will take place Saturday, August 11 at 11:00 am.

The parade will begin at Beale St., march down Market Street, make a left on 5th Street, left on Folsom and end on 3rd St.

Both festival days will feature an array of entertainment, exhibits, and immersive cultural opportunities. There will be seven fun, educational, and interactive pavilions showcasing: Live Art Demo, Adobo Cookoff, Balut-Eating Contest, Tinikling Dance-a-thon, Baybayin Art Show, Hep B Testing,Martial Arts & Boxing Tournament, Filipino Heritage exhibit. Also, live entertainment on 2 stages will feature Angeline Quinto & Erik Santos, headline artists from Manila.

There will also be these additional events:

» 08/11 & 08/12 – Wine Tasting & Tango

» 08/11 – Parade Breakfast

» 08/11 – Exclusive Screening of "Harana"

» 08/11 – Business Mixer

» 08/12 – Kulinarya: A Filipino Culinary Showdown

Join the Pistahan Parade and Festival as a Sponsor, Exhibitor, Performing Artist or a Volunteer.

Event Photographers (both amateurs & pros) are invited also to cover the 2 day event.

Special t-shirts will be given to identity the photographers, so please have the right size when you sign up. On July 29, 2012 will have the photographer's meet and greet at the SB 40 Restaurant in San Francisco Embarcadero (Pier 40) between 12 and 1pm. Al Perez will highlight the different events for the 2 day festivities. For more information on how to participate as an official Pistahan photographer, please call Jong Arcega (415) 720-6029.

See you at Pistahan!

TO-BE SEEN IN THE CITY

Adobo Festivals in Vallejo & Union City

Joey Camins, Bay Area’s Premier Eventologist informed this Columnist that the 7^th Annual Adobo Festival in California will be held on July 21 & 22, 2012 and September 1 & 2, 2012 at the Vallejo Waterfront Park in Vallejo, CA and The Kennedy Park in Union City, CA, respectively (10AM - 6PM). Great fun and great time to celebrate with the whole family.. FREE ADMISSION!!!