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Friday, November 07, 2003
Navarette's life in 'Maalaala Mo Kaya'
By Edwin G. Espejo
ROLANDO Navarette's colorful albeit pitiful life would soon be seen in ABS-CBN's "Maalaala Mo Kaya", a soap show hosted by Charo Santos.
Navarette rose to international fame when he knocked out Edwards Boza in 1981 to capture the World Boxing Council super featherweight title.
A native of this city, Navarette became an instant toast and his feat gained him fortune and fame. His wayward ways however later caught up with him. After defending his crown twice, he lost by technical knockout to Bazooka Limon. His misfortune did not end there.
He was abandoned by his first wife and lost whatever savings he had while he was still a feared world-boxing champion.
He was convicted for rape and sent to prison in Hawaii several years after he lost his crown. When he was released on humanitarian grounds, his resumed his boxing career. But he never recovered his lost glory.
After spending some time as a journeyman, he settled back in the city, doing some errands while being employed by the city government.
Sometime in the 80s he turned bellicose and found himself in several troubles.
He once cheated death when he was stabbed by a drinking companion in one of the city's beaches. That episode never changed his wayward behavior.
When his job at city hall was not renewed, he started to harass city hall employees, often pushing, sometimes punching, whoever he thought had displeased him.
At the age of 46, the former world-boxing champ is a mere shadow of his old self. While he still maintains a well-chiseled body, his faculties are gone. He now walks with a gait of a punch-drunk boxer. Even his speech is so slurred, you could hardly comprehend him.
He turns to the city government for assistance and would turn irrational when spurned.
Last Thursday, he showed up at the city hall for an interview with a member of the "Maalaala Mo Kaya" crew. He showed reporter a bit mark on his left hand. Navarette also sported a big welt on his left face.
He said he was hit with a piece of lumber by Elizabeth Tamabon, his nth live in partner. He related that he and his common law wife quarreled the night before.
He admitted punching Elizabeth thrice on the body when the latter reportedly bit and squeezed his genitals during the height of their quarrel.
As he was led outside the city mayor's office, employees could only shake their head with amusement. Indeed, Navarette has become one of the many and countless boxers who relied on their boxing prowess but never learnt to save for the future.
He may yet get a reprieve when ABS-CBN gives him a hefty talent fee for his life's story. But this would not last long.
Until then, he would continue to scrimp for alms and whatever goodwill from people who will continue to pity him.
(November 7, 2003 issue)
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