Bariles just came from a meeting of Task Force Champ, the informal body organized by the City Mayor Jun Acharon of GenSan to handle arrival honors for visiting dignitaries and famous personalities or homecoming ceremonies for returning champions.

In fact, the group headed by Chief of Staff Ernie Quisay spearheaded all the hero’s welcome for champion boxers Manny Pacquiao (CLICK HERE),  his brother Bobby, and Donito Donaire, and, Little Star Grand Dreamer Philip Nolasco/Nadela (CLICK HERE), who are all residents of the Tuna Capital.

This time, the Grand Welcome with matching motorcade through the city’s major thoroughfares will be for returning general Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona, a 19-year old boxer from Barangay Bula, who grabbed the title as WBO Super Flyweight Champion from 39-year old Jose “Carita” Lopez at the Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada last September 4, 2009.

Sonsona who has already amassed a record of 14 wins, 0 loss, 12 of these knockouts started boxing when he was 7 years old under an uncle who taught him about the sport.

As an amateur, he has already fought over 150 times.  His debut as a professional boxer earned him his first win on points but his next 10 victories were all by knockouts!

Although these were unknowns, he was also able to knock out an experienced fighter from Thailand named Wandee Singwancha who has a record 57-10 during the 2nd round.

With a new trainer, Nonito Donaire, Sr. (father of IBF Flyweight Champion and fellow general, Nonito Donaire, Jr.), Marvin Sonsona went up in weight to challenge Jose Lopez, the reigning WBO Super Flyweight Champion.  On Septembe 5, 2009, the new king from General Santos City was crowned after scoring a knockout in just the 2nd round.

According to Task Force Champ, the new WBO Super Flyweight Champion will be flying in via Cebu Pacific from Cebu on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 11:15am.  He will be met at the General Santos City International Airport by GenSan Mayor Jun Acharon and Ms. GenSan 2008 Romarie Cunanan and her court.  A motorcade to the city which includes the main streets of Barangay Bula, from which Marvin hails will follow.

Last stop will be the City Hall where a brief Press Conference will be conducted at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Hall, care of the City Public Information Office.

Bariles hopes to be there to have his picture taken with the young champion before he becomes even more famous someday and by then, it would be very, very difficult to approach him, for sure.

But for now, Bariles could only wish WBO Super Flyweight Champion Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona the best of luck in his newfound fame.  🙂

Mabuhay ka Marvin!  Mabuhay ang mga Generals!