Officials of the Tolosa National High School have commended Congressman Erbie A. Fabian for giving the school a personal computer.

“Our dream to modernize our school is now a reality,” said Julieto Fernandez, principal of the Tolosa National High School during the turnover of the computer yesterday.

Fernandez said the computer with complete peripherals will surely boost their competitiveness with other schools not only in the city but throughout the country as well.

“When I assumed as principal recently, I found out that the school is way behind the other schools in terms of modern equipment, it was for this reason that I wrote Congressman Fabian to help us by providing us with computer gadgets,” Fernandez said.

Fabian disclosed that aside from the computer, he has also allocated funds for the construction of the school’s multi-purpose covered court.    

“I assure you that I will be back to inaugurate the project and add more computers too,” Fabian stressed.

The congressman promised to source other funds for the implementation of the school’s concrete fencing and water system.

Fabian said he values the importance of education. He also urged the students to study very well and take the opportunity because education only comes once in a lifetime.

The legislator also vowed to accommodate the school’s valedictorian in his scholarship program.

“Just like in Mercedes, where I announced that the valedictorian of that school will  automatically become my scholar,” Fabian revealed.

Also present during the turnover were Department of Education Assistant Division of City School Supt.  Norma Becina, DepEd East Coast Supervisor Pedro Melchor Natividad, teachers and students.

Fernando Lumacad of Sarangani snatched the crown from Rey Megrenio as flyweight champion of the Mindanao Professional Boxing Association (MINPROBA) with his powerful punches that almost knocked  the latter down in the 6th round of the main event of the Golpe-Golpe na Zamboanga 3 that was witnessed by thousands of Zamboangueños and visitors from Mindanao and Visayas provinces at the Zamboanga City Coliseum Friday last week.

Right after the main and last fight, praises were heaped on Congressman Erbie A. Fabian for giving local boxing fans and aficionados the opportunity to watch for free professional boxing bouts involving brilliant boxers like Lumacad, Megrenio and home ground pugs like Eric “Dillinger” Canoy, Rocky Marcial and several others.

Megrenio, from the Dapcon Stable based in Malabon City, displayed courage and managed to regain strength to battle up to the 10th round. It was a unanimous decision in favor of Lumacad, now the new champion.

Zamboangueño Eric Canoy from Fabian's Blue Station Promotions, pummeled his opponent William “D' Nigger” Jorge of Dapcon Stable with 1-2-3 punches to win the fight. Jorge was however tough like steel who would not yield to Canoy's machine gun attack.

Ten-rounder Regie Benueza, a promising boxer from Bernard Yu Stable in Butuan City, was brilliant with his defense and foot work as well as strong blows, but the judge gave it to Abner LLanasa of the Wakee Salud Stable, who displayed grace and jab accuracy.

But the night's most applauded fighter, aside from Lumacad, was Rocky Marcial of Lunzuran, whose amazing jabs, cross and upper cuts stopped his opponent, Jun Vista,  in the first round with a TKO.

The huge and euphoric crowd -- rich and “masa”-- roared and cheered as they witnessed the splendid and exciting professional bouts denied them for many years.  Immediately, Fabian received the accolade for making  it a reality for Zamboangueños to see live professional boxing bouts.

“Boxing was alive and kicking in Zamboanga City in the 1960s and 1970s, but the sport died down because of the absence of promoters or leaders like Congressman Fabian who are willing to spend time, money and effort to keep it alive,” said Games and Amusement Board regional coordinator Rolly San Juan.

In fact, Fabian, with his Blue Stallion Promotions, has already drawn the plan to put up a gym in Cabaluay where local promising boxers can hone their skills. The gym will be complete with rings, speedballs, sand bags and other training gears.

Last Sunday, Fabian met with Bebot Elorde, son of the legendary Flash Elorde, who owns a boxing gym in Parañaque, for the acquisition of boxing gears for Zamboanga City. He is also scheduled to meet Eric Buhain, chairman of the Games and Amusement Board, to discuss the future of professional boxing in Zamboanga City.

Fabian said the next series of the “Golpe-Golpe” na Zamboanga has been tentatively set on November.

The congressman revealed that his next plan is to bring here top caliber champions like Jim Boy Rex Jaca and even Thailander and Korean sluggers.