BAGUIO CITY—Thousands of residents of this city atop the mountain turned out to show their love and appreciation for local hero ONE Championship Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang with a parade and ceremonies at the Baguio City Hall last Friday, December 9.
Eighth World Wushu Championship, 9th Asian Wushu Championship and 8th Sanda World Cup gold medalist Divine Wally was likewise honored.
The parade started along Luneta Hill Drive of SM City Baguio, wound down Session Road and ended at the Baguio City Hall grounds. Thousands of Baguio residents lined the route to cheer, shout and wave at their heroes.
Folayang, who was in traditional Igorot warrior gear complete with “bahag” or g-string, expressed his appreciation for the show of favor and affection by the people of Baguio.
“I didn’t expect this kind of reception. I am very grateful for their love and support. They are part of my long and difficult journey. They were with me during my first fights. I lost some fights but they remained at my side. It’s that way anyway. Heroes may lose early but always win in the end,” said Folayang.
The ONE Championship title holder said that everyone in Baguio is a winner because a new generation of heroes will surely follow in their footsteps.
“I expect that many more fighters will emerge. There will be many more fighters in Baguio who will become champions. This legacy of winning will not stop with us but will continue through the younger generation,” said Folayang.
He added that the work is not yet done and that there are more challenges to overcome.
“While the journey to the championship was difficult I know that to stay a champion will be even harder. I need to be a more responsible and be a good steward of this responsibility given by God. I just pray for the grace to be able to be a good role model and live up to this responsibility,” said Folayang.
Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan said Folayang is a perfect example of individuals who sacrifice to develop their God-given talent.
“This is proof that Baguio and the Cordilleras can also be competitive at the global stage. The people didn’t mind the traffic created by the parade. They are very happy to meet their heroes live and in person. This is just the beginning and not the end. I know that many more sporting heroes will follow in their footsteps,” said Mayor Domogan.
University of Cordilleras Dean of Office of Student Affairs and Services Aloysius Mapalo said Folayang will now serve as inspiration for other students as well as alumni of UC.
“He (Folayang) started as student-athlete in Wushu and persevered in the sport. Everyone at UC is proud of what he has accomplished. He becomes a role model for all students and students athletes alike. He showed that hard work and sacrifice will be rewarded,” said Mapalo.
Folayang won the ONE Championship Lightweight World Championship in Singapore last month in front of 12,000 screaming fans inside the Singapore Stadium at the One Championship—Defending Honor.
Folayang scored the crushing victory early in the third round after barely surviving Aoki’s takedowns and submission attempts during the first two rounds.
As the third started Aoki swallowed a flying knee while lunging forward to attempt another takedown. He grabbed Folayang instinctively but the Filipino fighter pushed him aside.
Folayang pinned Aoki to the cage and delivered another vicious knee. Aoki turned his back and assumed a fetal position while Folayang rained down vicious blows to the side of his head which forced Referee Yuji Shimada to halt the bout.
It was a spectacular finish and the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice by Folayang.