Nov 102013
 
Malacañang on Sunday thanked Ariela Arida and Nonito Doniare for putting a smile on Filipinos’ faces, despite super Typhoon Yolanda that left hundreds dead in its wake.

“I think any sort of positive news to us would be very welcome at this point, and we extend our congratulations to Ms. Arida and to the Filipino Flash for excelling in their particular fields—si Ms. Arida, syempre, doon sa Miss Universe pageant; si Nonito Donaire doon sa kanyang laban,” Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview aired over state-run dzRB.

Donaire scored a come-from-behind ninth round knockout win, Sunday at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas; while Miss Philippines-Universe Ariella Arida was 3rd runner-up in the Miss Universe 2013 pageant held in Moscow, Russia, early Sunday Morning (Manila).

“We appreciate the efforts to bring a little bit of a smile to the faces of countrymen who are going through so much in the aftermath of the typhoon,” Valte added.

Valte also expressed optimism that the victims will overcome the tragedy and damage brought about by the super typhoon.

“We have no doubt that our citizens will get up and rise again. There is no doubt to that. We have seen that in the past, that no matter how heavy the calamity, we have always managed to pick ourselves up and to get back to our normal lives—kung ano ho man ‘yung normal pa sa atin. At katulad nga po ng sinabi ng Pangulo bago ho tumama itong bagyong ito, hindi ho nito mapapaluhod ang Pilipino,” she said. — Paticia Denise Chiu /LBG, GMA News

Apr 172013
 
Donaire: “He’s no Manny Pacquiao”

By Elton Lugay INQUIRER.net US Bureau 7:47 am | Thursday, April 18th, 2013 Dethroned Donaire talks to the press. Photo by Elton Lugay NEW YORK CITY–Nonito Donaire, also known as the Filipino Flash, said he did his best. He lost his WBO super bantamweight title to Guillermo Rigondeaux in a decision on April 14. “I thought that he wasn’t better than me,” he told Inquirer.net. “I did my best. I thought I should have done something different but I didn’t.” But Donaire’s “best” was not good enough for judge Jon Stewart and others on the panel, who decided in favor of his Cuban opponent. The Donaire-Rigondeaux match had turned the legendary Radio City Music Hall–known for its Christmas musicals with the Rockettes’ shiny dancing legs–into an arena for brutal boxing and its loud, rowdy fans. In a quieter post-fight moment, Donaire reflected on his loss. Teenage singer Tiffany Viray of New York performed the Philippine National Anthem before the Donaire-Rigondeaux fight. Photo by Elton Lugay “I wanted to give an exciting fight for everybody, but you know he (Rigondeaux) was really a good fighter, so he deserves a congratulations from the judges,” Donaire conceded. Filipino boxing aficionados had mixed feelings about Donaire’s disappointing performance. Bartender Daphne Yao said Donaire is “no Manny Pacquiao.” “He’s not hungry enough, not poor enough, not flawed enough,” she said. Stony Brook University student Adrian del Rosario said Rigondeaux was a “bad match” for Nonito. “I won’t say Rigo is a better fighter, but it’s Read More …