March 29, 2024

Combat sports athletes from the Cordillera brought home the bacon after dominating their opponents in the Bakbakan sa Ilocos Sur on Feb. 11 to 12 at the Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur as part of the Kannawidan Festival.
In the amateur Muay Thai, Felex Dave Cantores of Kafagway MMA-FitWorks Gym won via unanimous decision against Hansel Bilog of the national team while Baguio-based Aldrich Toralba defeated Jervie Tiongco of Iron Fitness Gym Olongapo via retirement in the second round.
Teammates Charls Darryl Desierto and Christian Behrous Padawil of Max Fusion Fighters Camp also won against their opponents. Desierto defeated Renz Belarmino of Elorde Southbox while Padawil won via unanimous decision against Bryan Alviar of Team Olongapo.
In amateur boxing, Luigi Jorda of Siam Youth Nak Muay Team toppled Wilfredo Ocampo of Team IMSC via referee stoppage.
In professional boxing, Reymark Alicaba of Siam Youth defeated Melvin Manangquil of Elorde Plus via majority decision while another Siam Youth member Josaphat Navarro settled for a split draw with Eusebio Corotan Jr. of Elorde Gym, with both fighters making their pro debut.
In pro women’s MMA, Rosemarie Recto of Kafagway MMA lost via unanimous decision against Gretel Depaz of Elorde Southbox.
Also vowing to come back stronger are Jefferson Corpuz of Kafagway MMA who lost to John Paul Sarte of Iron Muscle Fitness via decision and Samantha Gerona of Siam Youth Nak Muay Team who lost to Lovely Poso of Olongapo City via retirement in the second round in the amateur Muay Thai.
Tom Oliver Fortunato of Siam Youth lost via referee stoppage against Jonathan Gajana of Hardstone Gym and Mark John of Siam Youth also lost to Danilo Rubio of Team Candon via unanimous decision in the amateur boxing.
Benson Awidan of Mabikas Boxing Gym lost via unanimous decision against Alexander Almacen of Marty Elorde Boxing Stable while Carl Jeffrey Basil of Mabikas Boxing Stable also lost to Elmar Zamora via technical split decision in the pro boxing. 
The event sanctioned by the Games and Amusement Board was promoted by Elorde Gym, Ilocos Sur and supported by the province of Ilocos Sur. – Ofelia C. Empian