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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Boxing devider Carlo Paalam dedicates silver to father figure coach

Carlo Paalam dedicates silver to father figure coach

Published Aug 8, 2021 04:08 pm

Carlo Paalam cannot help but turn emotional once again after bagging the second silver medal for the Philippines in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Carlo Paalam (AFP)

This time in an online press conference Sunday morning, joined by Eumir Felix Marcial on camera, Paalam recalled the moment he was all smiles while staring and holding his silver medal on the podium at the Kokugikan Arena during the awarding ceremony Saturday, Aug. 7.

READ: Carlo Paalam: Fist of glory

The 23-year-old boxer hailing from Cagayan de Oro said the silver medal, made out of recycled gadgets, symbolizes his life and the hardships he had to overcome before rising from the ashes as an Olympian.

"Simbolo kasi 'yon ng buhay ko po," said Paalam. "Kasi 'yon nga po, nangangalakal lang po ako tapos may connect siya sa buhay ko -- sirang gadgets po tapos binuo.

READ: Olympic silver medal for flyweight Paalam

"Gusto ko talaga mag-medal po kasi gusto ko maibahagi 'yong pinagdadaanan ko po, na maisulat po na 'yong medal na to galing sa nare-recycle, mga gamit 'yong mga gadget na sira."

It was all thanks to coach Elmer Pamisa, the father figure and mentor who stood beside him since childhood, that Paalam found his love for boxing.

READ: Olympic silver ‘symbolic’ of rise from poverty, says Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam

Before heading into the Games, Paalam had wished for one last favor after knowing about his qualification to the Olympics. He wanted to travel to Tokyo along with his beloved coach.

"Nagsabi po ako na sana makasama si coach Pam," said Paalam, his voice, starting to crack in nostalgia in between pauses. "Gagawin ko 'yong best ko, magme-medal ako makasama lang si coach Pam. 'Yon po, blessing Panginoon nakasama ko siya.

"Sobrang saya po kasi... niyakap ko siya nung pa-silver . Sobrang mahal ko po siya, parang papa ko na po," added the scavenger-turned-boxer.

READ: Paalam yields to Yafai, takes silver medal in boxing finals

Pamisa, for his part, also cried tears of joy when asked about his student's achievement at a young age, saying that it has been honor to discover and hone someone as passionate and dedicated as Paalam.

"Sobra talagang masaya dahil 'di ko lubos akalain na si Carlo makasama din sa Olympics," said the national team mentor."Kasi nakikita ko talaga siya 'yong tapang, 'yong talino maglaro sa taas ng ring. Kahit 'yong mga kalaban niya maraming experience pero tinatalo niya.

"Maliit pa magkasama na kami. Nagkatotoo talaga, ginawa niya talaga 'yong best kaya 'di ko 'yong nararamdaman ko nung pumasok siya ng bronze. Nagbunga na talaga."

READ: Next for Team PH: SEA Games, Asiad

Meanwhile, Paalam, together with fellow medalists Marcial, who captured bronze, and Nesthy Petecio, who bagged silver, are set to get their respective house and lot in Tagaytay as pledged by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

No less than POC president Bambol Tolentino made the surprise announcement in the same online conference, saying that it will be the same incentive given earlier to weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

"The two silvers and one bronze, bibigyan ko na rin ng pabahay," said Tolentino. "Para puwede nila ibigay sa kamag-anak nila."

READ: Best showing for Team PH in Olympics

Paalam also pleaded to give due recognition and incentives for their coaches, consisting of Pamisa, Reynaldo Garrido, Nolito Velasco, Ronald Chavez, and team consultant Don Abnett.

"Sana din po mapansin po 'yong mga coaches din po kasi 'di naman po kami gagaling po kung 'di dahil sa kanila," said Paalam. "'Yong tulong po sana mabigyan din sila kahit kaunti po, sana po. Sila po 'yong naghirap para sa amin."

READ: Boxing remains most productive sport for Team PH

Related Tags

Elmer Pamisa Tokyo Olympics 2020 Tokyo Olympics Carlo Paalam Olympics
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