GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 17 March) – In a bid to properly honor the city’s “champions,” the city council here is pushing for the establishment of a facility that would showcase their achievements and contributions to the area.
In a resolution, the council asked City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to establish a technical working group that will spearhead a study regarding the creation of a proposed “Hall of Champions” and lay down the necessary initiatives and policies on the matter.
City Councilor Ramon Milleza, who authored the resolution, said Monday the proposed facility will mainly serve as a repository of the accomplishments and mementos of the city’s “champions” like world boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao and several other personalities.
He said the establishment of the “Hall of Champion” will make sure that the achievements of the local “champions” will be remembered and preserved by the next generations.
“We produced a lot of champions these past years and it would be a big waste if they will just be forgotten later on by our next generations,” he said.
Aside from Pacquiao, who is already assured of a spot in the world boxing’s Hall of Fame with his record eight world championships in eight divisions, the city has produced a number of “champions” these past decades in boxing and other fields.
They include former world super featherweight titlist Rolando Navarrette, ex-World Boxing Organization super flyweight world champion Marvin Sonsona and four-division world champion Nonito Donaire Jr.
Three years ago, the city government also declared as among the city’s “champions” 2011 Bb. Pilipinas-Miss Universe titlist and 2011 Miss Universe third runner-up Shamcey Supsup.
Milleza asked the city government’s sports division to start gathering mementos, footages, artifacts, souvenirs, tokens and other important documents that highlight the achievements of the city’s “champions.”
He urged the sports division personnel to utilize various means, including modern technology, in gathering the necessary materials that will be showcased later on in the “Hall of Champions.”
“These materials or mementos will help immortalize the achievements of our champions and ensure that their memories will linger upon the minds of our children and future generations,” he said.
Through the facility, Milleza said they are hoping to offer another attraction for tourists or visitors to the area.
He noted that in the past several years, a significant number of tourists have visited the city because of its “champions” like Pacquiao.
Pacquiao’s mansions in Barangays Lagao and Labangal here already have become top attractions for foreign and domestic tourists that were visiting the city, he said.
Mayor Rivera has initially expressed support to the proposed establishment of a “Hall of Champions” in the city.
Last year, the city government unveiled a collection of historical mementos of the city and other related materials at a section of the city’s improved library, which is located at the Sangguniang Panlunsod building.