Dave Apolinario braves through mom's passing to win world title

Dave Apolinario revealed how the events that led to his mom's passing affected his training camp against Gideon Buthelezi and how he turned it into an inspiration to put on a shocker in South Africa. Dennis Acosta (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA — When he returned home from East London, South Africa, Dave Apolinario was asked by reporters present during his arrival last week at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay about dedicating his recent achievement to his late mother.

"Sayang nga. Hindi niya naabutan... Pero alam ko po na masayang-masaya siya ngayon sa nangyari," Apolinario said.

Now back at his abode in Maasim, Sarangani, Apolinario revealed that during training camp, he had to stop training out of concern to his mom.

"Bago yung nangyari, tuluy-tuloy yung training ko. Tumawag yung kapatid ko na may nangyari sa nanay ko. May sakit daw, so umuwi muna ako. Hininto ko yung training ko. Inasikaso ko muna," Apolinario told Sports on Air Weekly on Thursday how his family struggles began.

Apolinario first thought it was just a mere urinary tract infection (UTI), but upon giving his mother a checkup at a nearby hospital, the doctor suspected it might be worse than that when they found out that she was having some fear of water.

"Dati, nakagat na siya ng aso, pero di namin alam na sa rabies pala yun. Akala namin sa UTI lang yun. Ang tiyan niya, masakit daw. Mga ilang araw [ang nakalipas], sumakit na yung paa niya. Pagdala namin sa ospital, sabi ng doktor, 'Nakagat po ba ito ng aso? Kasi takot siya sa tubig eh.' [Sabi ko], 'Opo, nakagat.' Na-shock sila: 'Baka rabies yan! Mahirap yang gamutin,'" Apolinario continued.

The Apolinario Family quickly brought their mother to General Santos for further medication, but they found out there that time was running out on saving her.

"Yung rabies, umakyat na sa ulo. Yung rabies, walang doktor na makakagaling. Bihira lang makagaling yan, lalo na sa mga Bisaya," Dave further said.

Worse, he could not stay home a little longer as he also had to go back and continue his blossoming career.

"Sabi ng boss ko, 'Dave, balik ka na sa gym. Baka may offer tayo.' Kahit baon ko pa yung sakit ng nararamdaman, tinitiis ko lang," Apolinario further said.

Despite feeling the pain of losing his mom, the boxer turned the distraction into an inspiration for him to rise above the occasion.

"Nag-focus na ako. Hindi ko yun binaon. Ginawa ko lang na inspirasyon yung mama ko para matulungan ko yung mga kapatid ko. Baka may awa ang Panginoon na marating ko yung pangarap namin," Apolinario said.

That offer turned out to be a life-changer: a shot at the IBO flyweight title against Gideon Buthelezi at the latter's hometown.

Apolinario shocked—and eventually silenced—the crowd in East London, knocking out Buthelezi just before Round 1 ended, and the Philippines has a world boxing champ again a month after the last champion standing then, Mark Magsayo, lost his WBC featherweight title to Rey Vargas even as Donnie Nietes' bid to get a gold strap back, the WBO junior bantamweight title, failed against Kazuto Ioka.

"Alam ko naman na sobrang saya ng nanay ko at lahat ng Pilipino," Apolinario further said.

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