CARLO PAALAM: Mi Ultimo Adios

TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 07: Carlo Paalam of Team Philippines poses on the podium for a photo with his silver medal during the medal ceremony for the Men’s Fly (48-52kg) on day fifteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kokugikan Arena on August 07, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Luis Robayo – Pool/Getty Images)
2021 Getty Images

Written by

Jude Bautista

By some twist of fate, he was the last Filipino slugging it out. Trying to win another gold medal in the final round of the Men’s flyweight division, Tokyo Olympics August 7, 2021.

With his name and circumstance Carlo Paalam captured the nation’s imagination and yearning for another gold medal win. Especially after compatriots Hidilyn Diaz got the gold for weightlifting, and then boxers Nesthy Petecio earned silver and Eumir Marcial won Bronze.

National Hero Jose Rizal wrote Mi Ultimo Adios as his last love letter to his people, his homeland before his execution in December 30, 1896. My own take on it is: ‘Our Ultimate’ Farewell (opposed to more accepted ‘My Final’). Which describes Carlo’s last name: Paalam, which also means Farewell in Filipino.

Silver Medalist Carlo Paalam – FOREVER FLYER 60,000 miles per year, for life
Photo from Official PAL fb:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineAirlines/

I’m convinced his performance in Tokyo is a mere harbinger of things to come. He will eventually be ‘Our Ultimate Farewell’, wining gold in other international competitions, if not the next Olympics in Paris.  Our country will benefit from the inevitable ultimate version of Paalam in the future. He only happens to be 23 years young.

Paalam comes from the root word alam – to know, be aware of. Adding ‘Pa’, it also becomes – permission, (and verb) to seek permission. Apart from meaning good bye / farewell. Filipino is extremely high context. Notice the words are all positive, respectful connotations. No wonder Pinoys had an instant affinity towards him.

Galal Yafai of Team Great Britain punches Carlo Paalam of Team Philippines during the Men’s Fly (48-52kg) Final bout between Carlo Paalam of Team Philippines and Galal Yafai of Team Great Britain on day fifteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kokugikan Arena on August 07, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
2021 Getty Images

Courage

The connection of Carlo with our national hero is not that far off with him showing courage in the ring. In the finals, Great Britain’s Galal Yafai tried to smother Carlo by relentlessly going forward. This was a similar tactic employed against Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial by their opponents.

To his credit, he was able to find the openings to land a hard right cross. He was successfully able to counter, early to mid-first round. That was until Yafai landed a jab, right hook combo which resulted in a knockdown.

Carlo dug deep in those moments. Got up and started throwing even more punches. He wanted to make up for getting knocked down. He had the wherewithal to fight even harder, after getting hurt.

Handang masaktan kung kinakailangan.
–Carlo Paalam
Photo from Carlo Paalam Official fb
https://www.facebook.com/carlo.paalam.7

As a testament to how close the first round all judges scored it 10-9. Pro judging would’ve had to score 10-8. In spite of coming back the second and third rounds, the knockdown in the first made a strong enough impression. Thereby awarding the fight and gold medal, to Yafai. The scoring of the judges (their thinking) were surmised by ABAP Secretary General Ed Picson, in an interview with Boom Gonzales and Noli Eala, during the TV5 coverage.

From left: Silver Medalist Nesthy Petecio, Bronze Medalist Eumir Marcial and Silver Medalist Carlo Paalam, Photo from Official PAL fb:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineAirlines/

Boxing as Life

More than any sport, boxing is the perfect metaphor for life. We see that in Paalam. He got hurt. He got knocked down but kept on fighting, even harder when he got up. He had the courage to not give up.

We see ourselves in him. COVID has knocked our whole country down. We’ve lost our jobs, lost family members. We’re still here, trying to make it, trying to survive in this fight we call life. Carlo may not have won the gold but he gave us so much more by showing us heart.

His fight was our fight. We got a silver out of it too.

President Duterte welcomed our Olympian Boxing Team via video conference August 9, 2021.

Pres. Duterte Adds Millions

President Duterte welcomed our bemedaled Olympic boxers Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio (both silver) Eumir Marcial (bronze) and Irish Magno in a video conference last August 9, 2021. The Olympians were at the NAIA Airport while the President was in Malacañang.

He announced additional cash prizes directly from the Office of the President on top of the moneys mandated by law (signed by the late PNoy).

From left: President Duterte and Silver Medalist Carlo Paalam via video conference August 9, 2021.

P2 million for boxing silver medalist Carlo Paalam

P2 million for boxing silver medalist Nesthy Petecio

P1 million for boxing bronze medalist Eumir Marcial

P200,000 each to all Filipino Olympians

Important awards to recognize their efforts were also announced. Medalists will receive the Order of Lapu Lapu. The rest of the PH Olympic Team will receive a Presidential Unit Citation.

The Order of Lapu-Lapu (Filipino: Orden ni Lapu-Lapu) is a national order of merit conferred by the President of the Philippines to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals in recognition of invaluable or extraordinary service in relation to a campaign or advocacy of the President. From wikiwand https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Order_of_Lapu-Lapu

From left: President Duterte and POC Pres. Bambol Tolentino via video conference August 9, 2021.

POC Pres. Bambol Tolentino

President Duterte warmly welcomed, not just the athletes but POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) Pres. Abraham Tolentino. He said, “Welcome Congressman Bambol Tolentino! We would like to thank you, in behalf of the country and the people of the Republic of the Philippines, for a job well done. For the training and for the toil and for everything you did to make our country great, this time of our lives. Getting those medals is not easy. I know that kayong nasa POC did a very good job.”

POC President Bambol Tolentino responded, “Maraming Salamat po mahal na pangulo. Mission accomplished as they say. Na deliver po natin sa panahon ninyo ang overall champion sa SEA Games. Ngayon naman po na deliver natin sa bansang Pilipino ang Olympic multi medals, AFTER 97 years. Nagpapa Salamat po kaming lahat sa mga Pilipinong nag suporta, nag dasal sa Pilipinas at sa labas ng bansa. Maraming maraming Salamat po. Ito ay magtutuloy tuloy na, hanggang sa mga susunod na paligsahan.”

From left: Bronze Medalist Eumir Marcial, Silver Medalist Carlo Paalam, Silver Medalist Nesthy Petecio and Quarter Finalist Irish Magno. Photo was taken at NAIA airport on their arrival last August 9, 2021. Photo from Al S Panlilio Twitter https://twitter.com/ASPanlilio

“Philippine Olympic Committee President Bambol Tolentino, also congressman for Cavite, has said the POC will give an additional P3 million to Diaz, P2 million each for Petecio and Paalam, and P1 million for Marcial.

The POC and the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation have also pooled money worth P500,000 each to Filipino athletes who didn’t medal in the Tokyo Games.”

From Phil Star: Olympic medalists to get Order of Lapu-Lapu, additional cash

Eumir Marcial: I am very grateful to the Lord who gave me strength and protection, and to all the Filipino boxing fans who gave their tireless support. I am also grateful to the people who have been part of this success. The people behind our success which is our TEAM. This maybe a bronze medal but for me the value of this is gold because this is the fruit of all my sacrifices and tears. Proudly! I am a Filipino! Photo from Eumirmarcial insta:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNeT5v8nyuj/

Coaches Get Due

Breaking news, upon their arrival, Carlo Paalam also requested that coaches receive additional financial support. The Post.net reports: Paalam batted his request for additional incentives for the coaches on Monday saying that “Sana din po mapansin din ‘yung mga coach po. Hindi  kami gagaling kung hindi dahil sa kanila.”

MVPSF (MVP Sports Foundation) will award P11 million out of the P40.5 million allotted cash incentives to the coaches of both the weightlifting and boxing teams. “The coaches also sacrificed as they were away from their families as much as the athlete, so they should also be compensated for their athletes’ success,” said MVPSF President Al S. Panlilio.

(L-R) ABAP President Ricky Vargas, boxer Nesthy Petecio, PLDT Chairman & CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, gymnast Carlos Yulo, Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carrion-Norton, and Smart President & CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio. (2018)
Photo from:
https://beta.pldt.com/

“The MVPSF knows that it takes a village to win a medal in the Olympics. It takes combined efforts from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and the private sector to help our athletes succeed.”

“It’s a breakthrough and a milestone event for Philippine sports as we’ve had our best medal haul, including our first-ever gold,” said MVPSF Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan.

From thepost.net : MVPSF GIVES INCENTIVES TO OLYMPIC MEDALISTS’ COACHES

Silver Medalist Nesthy Petecio – FOREVER FLYER with 60,000 miles per year, for life
Photo from Official PAL fb:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineAirlines

PAL Forever Flyer

Before our Olympians could land in NAIA, they first had to be flown over by the official carrier, Philippine Airlines. This follows a decades long tradition started by PAL CEO and Chairman Lucio Tan of supporting our athletes.

During the flight, they were awarded as  Forever Flyers. Launched just last August 8, 2021, anyone who buys a ticket and enters the Mabuhay Miles Loyalty program can get a chance to be a Forever Flyer.

From the Official PAL FB: Aug 9, 2021 – Philippine Airlines Flight PR427 honors our Olympic Medalists Nesthy, Eumir, and Carlo for their determination, and victory by making a signature champagne toast in the skies! We also thank the team behind this success. Cheers!

Philippine Airlines officially awards our newest Forever Flyers:

Silver Medalist Nesthy Petecio – 60,000 miles per year, for life

Silver Medalist Carlo Paalam – 60,000 miles per year, for life

Bronze Medalist Eumir Marcial – 40,000 miles per year, for life

Are you the next Forever Flyer? Visit https://bit.ly/37AEQ4Z to learn how!

Bronze Medalist Eumir Marcial – FOREVER FLYER 40,000 miles per year, for life
Photo from Official PAL fb:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineAirlines/

You too can become a Forever Flyer! Get a chance to win up to 80,000 Mabuhay Miles per year for life when you book a flight with Philippine Airlines. Sign up for Mabuhay Miles to join now. #PALForeverFlyer #FlyFreeForLife

The free flight miles will allow round-trip flights between Manila and Zamboanga / Cagayan De Oro with the option of being in business class (fewer flights), or more if they choose to fly economy, in a year. Internationally, the airline perk will allow them to have a free round-trip business class flight from Manila to Taiwan or Japan per year.

Cebu Pacific 25 flights, 25 Years

Not to be outdone CEBU PACIFIC expanded the free flights to the whole Pinoy Olympic squad. Following the theme of supporting more athletes, whether bemedaled or not.

“Every athlete who represented the country in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 will earn 25 free flights from Asia’s oldest low-cost airline to celebrate their efforts and heroic feats.

CEBU PACIFIC made the announcement on Friday and said that the Philippine delegation can also share the benefit with the rest of their teammates, families and “practically anyone in their support system.” From Interaksyon: Hidilyn Diaz and Filipino Olympians all treated to free flights

From Ceb Pac Fb: At Cebu Pacific, NO JUAN gets left behind. This is why on our 25th anniversary, we have this special message to all 19 of our Filipino athletes in Tokyo 2020 straight from our VP of Marketing and Customer Experience, Candice Iyog.

4 Minadanaoans

Mindanao, is the southernmost group of islands in the Philippines. Golden Girl Hidilyn and the whole Olympic Boxing squad (except for Irish Magno) are all from Mindanao. Irish Magno is from Ilo ilo- which is in the Visayas.

Both Eumir Marcial and Hidilyn are from Zamboanga, Carlo Paalam is from Cagayan De Oro. Nesthy Petecio is from Davao, which is also the home base of President Duterte.

President Duterte welcomed our Olympian Boxing Team via video conference August 9, 2021.

There is no doubt the free flights from PAL and Cebu Pacific will benefit the fighters, their family, coaches and training partners. Free flights will come in handy because of training and the distance from the capital.

(20) Senator Manny Pacquiao congratulated all our Olympians with this poster.
From Manny Pacquiao Official fb:
https://www.facebook.com/MannyPacquiao

We should pray that the National Boxing Academy proposed by People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao comes to fruition. No one can dispute that the location should be in Mindanao. Even General Santos city, the Senator’s home base, would be perfect for it.

Senator Manny Pacquiao congratulated all our Olympians with this poster.
From Manny Pacquiao Official fb:
https://www.facebook.com/MannyPacquiao

CDO Roots

Paalam has come a long way since his youth in Cagayan De Oro City. ABAP Sec Gen. Ed Picson recalled the days when Paalam was being shown off by Mayor Oscar Moreno as one of his young prodigies. “ You have to come here and see our young boxers.” An eleven year old Paalam would walk in showing off his abdominals. Even at that young age he was already muscled” said Picson.

Handang masaktan kung kinakailangan.
–Carlo Paalam
Photo from Carlo Paalam Official fb
https://www.facebook.com/carlo.paalam.7

Legendary ALA Boxing Gym is still Open

Another unsung hero in the PH Olympian saga is the ALA Boxing Gym. Picson credited the ALA Boxing Gym for providing the facilities in training our boxers for the Olympics.

ALA Boxing Gym is run by Michael Aldeguer. Their vital contribution is made so much more remarkable when ALA Promotions closed this year. They released a stellar roster of fighters including Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes and many others. Back in 2015, I was fortunate to photograph Nietes’ fight in SMART Araneta Coliseum under ALA Promotions and ABS CBN Sports and Action.

Photo from ALA Boxing Gym fb
https://www.facebook.com/ALABoxingBalete/

The closing of ALA Promotions, which is a separate entity from ALA Boxing Gym, caused  some confusion to the public. Some thought the ALA Boxing Gyms with branches in QC and Cebu have also closed. But are still operational pending the respective community quarantines of their districts / localities.

ALA Promotions Glory Days: Donnie Nietes raises his hand in victory after 10th rd TKO victory over Gilberto Parra. He successfully defends his WBO/IBF World Jr Flyweight Belt for the 7th time. PINOY PRIDE 30 D-Day was held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, March 28, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
https://judebsports.wordpress.com/2015/03/31/donnie-nietes-a-thrilling-champ/

As testament to the legend of ALA Promotions pundits have stated:

from Phil Star:

ALA Gym, one of the world’s famous boxing sweatshops, closes down

Said Rico Navarro of The Freeman, “When the history of Philippine sports is written, one can never ignore ALA Boxing. They blazed a trail in implementing a comprehensive boxing program from its grassroots activities to pro boxing. Their Pinoy Pride series set the bar for the way world-class boxing events should be held. But most importantly, ALA Boxing produced boxers who grew up to be better people.”

ALA Promotions Glory Days: Nonito Donaire Jr raises his hand in victory and earns vacant NABF Super Bantamweight Belt. PINOY PRIDE 30 D-Day was held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, March 28, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
https://judebsports.wordpress.com/2015/03/31/donnie-nietes-a-thrilling-champ/

The STAR’s own Bill Velasco weighed in and said, “I’ve had the pleasure of traveling and seeing the legacy of ALA Promotions develop all over the Philippines in the US as well as the Middle East. They boosted the careers of Donnie Nietes, Milan Melindo, Boom Boom Bautista, Z Gorres, and many others. They risked all on groundbreaking promotions and the Pinoy Pride series. Sadly, as the industry became more competitive, the pandemic swept the world and their television partner lost its franchise, the cost of going on rose too much. And they made some decisions that hampered their own growth.”

from Phil Star:

ALA Gym, one of the world’s famous boxing sweatshops, closes down

(26) From left: POC Pres. Bambol Tolentino, Bronze Medalist Eumir Marcial, Silver Medalist Carlo Paalam, PAL Representative, Silver Medalist Nesthy Petecio and Quarter Finalist Irish Magno. Photo was taken at Haneda airport, Tokyo, on their return flight last August 9, 2021. Photo from PAL fb: https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineAirlines/

Olympic Silver Medalist Nesthy Petecio. Photo from MVP Sports Foundation fb:
https://www.facebook.com/mvpsfph/photos

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(29) Hidilyn Diaz wins the historic first Gold medal for the Philippines. Tokyo 2020 Olympics, July 27, 2021. Photo from MVP Sports Foundation fb
https://www.facebook.com/mvpsfph/photos

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From left: Eumir Marcial and UFC star Tony Ferguson
Photo from Eumirmarcial insta:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNeT5v8nyuj/

(31) From left: Eumir Marcial and UFC star Tony Ferguson
Photo from Eumirmarcial insta:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNeT5v8nyuj/

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Bronze Medalist Eumir Marcial – FOREVER FLYER 40,000 miles per year, for life
Photo from Official PAL fb:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineAirlines/

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Olympians from left: Silver Medalist Carlo Paalam, Bronze Medalist Eumir Marcial and Silver Medalist Nesthy Petecio. Photo from Eumirmarcial insta:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNeT5v8nyuj/

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Hidilyn Diaz wins the historic first Gold medal for the Philippines. Tokyo 2020 Olympics, July 27, 2021. Photo from MVP Sports Foundation fb
https://www.facebook.com/mvpsfph/photos

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