QUEZON City—I am back to my old stomping grounds in my UP days. A stone’s throw away from the Smart Araneta Coliseum where last night’s fistic extravaganza was to be held, are the small, trifling shops that used to sell quality albeit unbranded shoes that allowed me to make the most out of every penny that my parents sent.
Two junctions away is an old studio at the back of the old Nepa-Q-Mart, where our ragtag campus band congregated every Friday night when a school gig was on the horizon.
This morning, I just had to drag the wifey to join me in a religious, preternatural experience---eating mami at Ma Mon Luk.
When my big steaming bowl of mami arrived, I just had to close my eyes. That way, when you shut down you sense of sight, your olfactory sense kicks into high gear.
You see, when you eat a Ma Mon Lukmami, it’s not just that umami taste you are after. You also have to savor that sweet, pungent vapor wafting over slivers of sliced beef, chicken, scallions and noodles.
Yumm…..
A sharp kick to my shin from the wifey brought me back to reality as she was concerned about the looks I was getting from the other restaurant patrons.
Ah, but I dutifully explained to her that that single bowl of mami was emblematic of my exciting past life as a UP student. She shot me an incredulous look and dug violently into her chopsuey with her sharpened chopsticks.
ARANETA. It is more popularly known as “The Big Dome” and is steeped in history. In the 1960’s it was considered the largest covered coliseum in the world. It has a floor area of 23,000 square meters.
The great Gabriel Flash Elorde drew first blood as the Big Dome opened for him when he fought American Harold Gomes. Elorde knocked out Gomes in 7 rounds.
Of course, who can forget the famous “Thrilla in Manila” featuring Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975.
The last time I was here was back in 2008 when Gerry Peñalosa made short work of Thai legend RatanachaiSorVorapin in eight rounds.
I recall a very funny incident that transpired on our way to the venue. For some reason, Bert Batawang who was scheduled to fight in the early part of the undercard and should have joined the van carrying the fighters and trainers, joined us in our media van.
Unfortunately, our driver was not a member of the Bert Batawang Fan Club--or he probably just disliked boxing. He cruised past Araneta and took us all the way to East Avenue.
I already noticed that he missed the turn but did not say a word as I honestly thought we were still going to pick up some guests.
An exasperated Dodie Boy Peñalosa who was doing corner-man duties for Batawang, was not amused. After missing the turn and having to do a round-about, the former world champion exclaimed: “Di mo ba alam ARANITA bay?!”
He looked livid and rightly so. We had to calm him down, but unfortunately for Batawang, he missed his call time, and his fight had to be re-scheduled after the main event.
THE FIGHTS.I just had to email this piece before I proceed to the venue so I can beat the deadline. Pinoy Pride 30 features Nonito Donaire Jr. and Donnie Nietes, but the undercard is well-stacked with Albert Pagara and AJ Banal strutting their wares.
I’m looking forward to the main event fights as Donaire needs to win impressively, and it was quite uncharacteristic of Donnie to openly predict a knockout victory so this should be exciting… (To be continued on Wednesday’s column)
LAST ROUND. It’s on a dear friend, Hazel Q. Ypil, who celebrates her birthday this week. Cheers! Follow me on Twitter @thelastround