Typhoon Ompong left devastation in its wake in the Philippines over the weekend. And one of the areas heavily hit was La Trinidad, Benguet.
Team Lakay’s headquarters is located right in the heart of La Trinidad.
Lakay young gun Joshua Pacio is in the midst of his training camp for his ONE Strawweight World Championship bout against title-holder Yoshitaka Naito. The match is the main event of ONE: Conquest of Heroes on Saturday, September 22, at the Jakarta Convention Center in Indonesia.
Though the rains and the winds were strong, the 22-year-old was able to finish his camp.
“In terms of training, hindi naman. Kasi gumagawa naman kami ng paraan para maka-ensayo,” said Pacio, who fought Naito two years ago.
Ompong devastated Baguio due to the landslides. Some of Pacio’s teammates were also hit by the super typhoon – including ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje Eustaquio.
“Safe naman kami. May ilang teammates kami na tinamaan, tulad nila Coach Geje, pero ‘di naman gaano kalala,” Pacio added. “Thankful kami at ‘di naapektuhan karamihan sa amin.
“Thankful din at patapos na ang training camp nang mangyari ito.”
Seeing his fellow Baguio natives suffering, Pacio and good pal Danny Kingad are dedicating their bouts to them.
“Of course, we want to win our bouts on Saturday. We dedicate this to the people of the Cordilleras,” expressed Pacio, who owns a 13-2 record.
Moreover, the two vowed to return back to Baguio after fight night to help in the relief efforts.
“Ang panalo namin ay makatulong para ma-uplift ang spirits nila sa napakahirap na panahon na ito,” the title challenger said.
“After our bouts, lahat kami sa Team Lakay, hindi lang kami ni Danny, ay willing to help sa mga relief efforts.”
