Boxer Dave Apolinario pays courtesy visit to Marcos following IBO title win

Filipino boxer Dave Apolinario paid a courtesy visit to President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday at the Malacañan Palace following his knockout win against Gideon Buthelezi for the IBO flyweight title last Saturday.

Marcos welcomed Apolinario and congratulated him for his achievement.

"Nagpapasalamat ang buong Pilipinas sa'yo na pinasikat mo na naman kami. Gusto naming iwagayway ulit ang ating bandila para mag-celebrate," Marcos said to Apolinario in his speech posted in the Radio TV Malacañang page.

(The country is grateful that you made us famous. We want to wave the flag again to celebrate.)

"Maraming salamat sa iyong dinala na kasiyahan at you bring the pride of Filipinos na maipagmamalaki namin na kaming mga Pilipino, sa iyong pagkapanalo, ay masasabi naming kaming mga Filipino ay world-class," he said.

(Thank you for bringing us joy and pride. We are proud to say that we Filipinos, because of your win, are world-class.)

Apolinario handed over to Marcos a pair of signed gloves, while the president in return signed another pair of gloves and gave him a commemorative gold coin.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News