How Team Lakay’s Igorot Heritage Has Kept Them Strong During The Lockdown Period

With the whole world reeling from the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most important things to take care of is one’s physical and mental health.

Amidst the uncertainty however, members of the famed Team Lakay stable in Baguio City, Philippines have managed to keep themselves and their families strong, safe, and above all else, sound of mind. And they owe a lot of it to their Igorot heritage.

Proudly representing their roots, the Team Lakay stars share what they’ve been up to during the lockdown and how their Igorot traits have helped them greatly during this time of crisis.

Mark Sangiao

“I’ve mostly been occupying myself with home training with my eldest son Jhanlo and playing with my youngest son Marko,” shared Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao. “I’m also giving online training lessons, and the rest of the day, I spend it working on Team Lakay’s social media page, as well as the athletes’ social media pages.”

Sangiao says that simple living is the root of the Igorot culture’s survival.

“The Igorot people are known to be resilient, self-sustaining, village-oriented, and we are used to simple living,” Sangiao explained. “Even in times like these, people don’t get hungry because we take care of each other. You go out and you’ll see free vegetables stocked out on the road, and we don’t hoard them, we only get what we need so that everyone has something on their tables.

“Remember that during the war, Cordillera was able to sustain themselves because of the strong ties that we have here, coupled with the patience and the resiliency that we have,” he added.

Eduard Folayang

“Since the Enhanced Community Quarantine, I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family, especially my two daughters,” shared former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang. “I’ve been doing a lot of home-made training programs. I’ve also done a lot of crossfit workouts and I’ve been shadowboxing just so I can keep my striking on point.”

Knowing how to follow the rules and being helpful are the key Igorot traits that Folayang highlighted.

“The Igorot people are obedient, we make sure to follow our figures of higher authority, especially our elders,” Folayang stated.

“We also practice what we call ‘binadang,’ which means helping those in need, which is very important during times like this,” he added.

Kevin Belingon

Former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon has been pretty innovative in finding ways to train hard, and he’s documented a lot of his methods on his social media.

“Aside from spending most of my time with my family, I continue to look for ways to be able to train,” Belingon said. “Since I can’t go to the gym, I brought the gym to me and improvised some equipment so that I can do my home workouts.”

The Igorot people, Belingon says, know how to fend for themselves.

“As a proud Igorot, we are taught to be self-reliant and fend for ourselves during trying times. We are also very obedient and respectful to our leaders,” he added.

Edward Kelly

For featherweight contender Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly, this quarantine period has allowed him to spend more time with his in-laws and help around their house as well.

“I’m staying with my parents-in-law, so I’ve been busy with improving their house by fixing stuff and doing some landscaping,” Kelly shared. “I’m still training once a day, and I like to think of my work here as part of my training. For example, I simulate lifting weights by carrying soil and transferring them into a pit.”

Kelly believes that because of the Igorot people’s way of life, they’ve grown to become naturally healthy and strong.

“We’ve managed to stay strong throughout this period because I believe that the Igorot people are naturally healthy people,” he said.

”The Igorots are physically strong because we are very hard workers, and that helps make our immune system strong as well. Having a strong immune system is very important nowadays so that we don’t get sick with the virus,” Kelly added.

Danny Kingad

ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix finalist Danny “The King” Kingad sees this as an opportunity to spend more time with his family.

“I’m using this time to stay with my family and play with my son here at home,” he shared. “This is my chance to make up for all the time I’ve spent away and be able to be with them while there aren’t any fights scheduled.”

Kingad adds that being helpful and being obedient is something that has helped Igorots stay safe and healthy during the quarantine period.

“I’m happy and I’m blessed because we make sure that we help each other, and we also make sure that we follow the government’s orders of strictly staying at home and not going out,” said Kingad.

“I’m very proud that we are well-disciplined about this matter, and we don’t have a lot of confirmed cases here, unlike in other parts of the country, so for me, it’s very important that we continue to follow the guidelines, and that’s what we Igorots are doing,” he continued.

Lito Adiwang

Fast-rising ONE Strawweight contender Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang is taking advantage of this time at home to enjoy time with his family as well as making sure that things around the house are ready for the upcoming rainy season in the Philippines.

“During this quarantine, I’ve kept myself busy by working out at home, catching up with my brothers by giving advice and planning how to make tomorrow better, and by fixing whatever it is that is needed to be fixed at home so that it’s in good shape, especially with the rainy season approaching,” says Adiwang.

“Being a proud Igorot, I can say that our traits and beliefs have greatly helped us combat this dangerous disease.”

Geje Eustaquio

For former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio staying stress-free is an important part of staying healthy and virus-free.

“I still find ways to train, but it’s more of home workouts and running,” Eustaquio shared. “We stay at home and maintain a healthy lifestyle. No stress and panic, just exercise, and of course the right diet.”

“Gravity” says that genes and lifestyle are a big part of how the Igorot people have kept strong through this time of crisis.

“Being an Igorot, most especially the genes and the lifestyle that we live has really helped us during this pandemic,” said Eustaquio. “We are very resilient people, we hold our pride high.

“We can survive and we can adapt on our own,” Eustaquio added.

Honorio Banario

Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario has gotten to use the time at home to babysit and also get some workouts in.

“Well, I’m at the province right now, babysitting,” Banario said. “I’ve also kept myself fit by skipping rope, shadowboxing, and carrying stones to have a light exercise.”

“Sometimes, I go and run on the trail near the farm,” “The Rock” added.

Banario shared that a certain native Igorot dish might be a key factor in keeping safe during the pandemic.

“Well, the things that normal Igorots do during this time of crisis is simply staying at home and following the rules,” shared Banario.

“We also cook a native chicken dish known as Pinikpikan,” Banario added jokingly. “I think these are the things that are helping keep us safe and away from this dangerous virus.”

Joshua Pacio

Fresh off a successful title-defense against Alex Silva, ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio is fortunate to have a world champion training partner at arm’s length during this quarantine period.

“As an athlete, I need to find ways to train and keep myself busy during this quarantine. Luckily, Kuya Kevin [Belingon] and I live in the same barangay, that’s why we can train together,” Pacio shared.

Pacio notes that the Igorot discipline has helped keep the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the Benguet and Baguio area at a minimum.

“The Baguio-Benguet area is somehow one of the places with the least amounts of cases of people that have tested positive for the coronavirus, and I believe that it’s because of how disciplined the Igorot people are,” explained Pacio.

“We listen and we take seriously what the government says. We stay at home and we don’t go out, and we make sure that our health and safety is a must,” Pacio added.

Strong Faith, Great Teammates, Man’s Best Friend are Joshua Pacio’s Lockdown Essentials

On many occasions, ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong has stated that he would never sign an athlete like Conor McGregor because he doesn’t embody the values of the company. In many respects, ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio is the polar opposite. 

Pacio is a shining embodiment of the traditional martial arts values.

Nicknamed “The Passion,” Pacio is a man who relies firmly on his faith. In these times of uncertainty it’s something that he has turned to for reassurance.

“The important thing for me in this kind of situation is praying to God. He is the only one who knows what's going to happen, trusting in God in this kind of situation is important and of course we should trust Him not only in these situations but in good times or bad,” says Pacio.

Pacio is part of a unique band of brothers at the famed Team Lakay of Baguio City, Philippines. Remarkably, he is one of five athletes who have realized their dreams of becoming World Champions at ONE Championship.

“My teammates inspire me every day, they are the reason why I'm a champion, they helped me get to where I am today, they motivate me in downtimes and help me realize what my mistakes are,” Pacio says.

Under the watchful eye of legendary coach Mark Sangiao, Pacio and his team combine a strong work ethic with deep-rooted values to achieve unprecedented success. They didn’t start out with any fancy equipment, but the strength of their collective mindset gave them everything they needed to succeed.

While the current COVID-19 situation is far from ideal for an elite martial arts world champion, Pacio’s experience as a member of Team Lakay has put him in good stead.

“The hardest part is that we can't go to the gym to train, that's why we find ways to train inside our homes. In the past years, we were lacking training equipment in the gym. This is not new to us, so we find ways to stay sharp. Luckily, I have punching mitts and manong (older brother) Kevin [Belingon] and I are in the same barangay (village) so we hold pads for each other,” says Pacio.

Having a teammate nearby is certainly helping Pacio stay sharp during the pandemic, but as fans have seen in his recent social media posts – one companion in particular, has become a mainstay of his daily routine.

“Actually, this pandemic taught me more on how to bond with my dog. And my dog is getting fat so I need to go run or jog with her,” Pacio says.

While Pacio’s dog may have put on the pounds, he doesn’t intend to follow suit.

“When I get older, I think we need to talk about getting up in a higher weight division. But for now, I have no intention of going up in weight classes because my teammates are in those weight classes,” says Pacio.

Pacio’s reservations about a jump to flyweight are understandable. ONE’s flyweight division really is packed with his brothers from Team Lakay. Geje Eustaquio is a former ONE Flyweight World Champion, and Danny Kingad was a finalist in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix. Meanwhile, competing at his current weight seems to suit Pacio just fine, with his second reign as king of the strawweights producing some impressive results.

After winning the belt back from Yosuke Saruta in Manila in April 2019, the young star returned to his nation’s capital twice more to carve out a statement victory over veteran wushu world champion and fellow Filipino Rene Catalan in November, before going on to clinch a decision win over former strawweight titleholder Alex Silva in January.

Despite not having a bout booked for the first time in a long-time, the 24-year-old Pacio’s mindset seems sharper than ever as he looks to carve out an enduring legacy in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

“Honestly I’m not the guy who has a dream opponent. I just focus on improving every day and every bout. I am a champion and I need to prove that every time I step inside the Circle,” says Pacio.

ONE Championship’s martial arts values are integrity, humility, honor, respect, courage, discipline, and compassion. In difficult times, it’s inspiring to see an individual who has such a strong grasp of what it means to incorporate them into daily life, whether it’s in or out of competition, or indeed, in the midst of a global pandemic.

But, judging by his work ethic, as well as the strength he draws from his faith, his teammates and indeed, his furry companion, Pacio has all the ingredients to flourish under any circumstance.

ONE Championship Launches All-New Official Online Shop -- ONE.SHOP

20 April 2020 – Singapore: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), announced, 20 April, the launch of its new official online shop, ONE.SHOP, where fans have access to all-new collections of ONE Championship official merchandise and athleisure wear. Originally established in 2018, ONE’s athleisure business has been updated and upgraded, with an all-new webstore featuring brand new collections. Added to the wide selection of ONE Championship branded merchandise are new athlete-centric designs featuring some of the organization's biggest stars. Some athletes include ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang, ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee, ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera, ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen, and ONE Lightweight World Champion Christian “The Warrior” Lee, among others. Fans can pre-order limited edition products in advance as well as shop collaborations with some of the industry’s most prominent graphic designers and brands. Loyal fans are now rewarded with the Gold Corner, allowing fans to earn exclusive rewards instantly with their purchases. ONE.SHOP will continue to offer free shipping globally, provided a minimum spend requirement is satisfied. “I am excited to bring a new and improved online merchandise store to our ONE Championship fans. Everything about ONE.SHOP, from its many features to brand new products, has been designed around our fans,” said Debbie Soon, ONE’s Head of Athleisure. “We look forward to our fans from all over the world representing their love for all things ONE Championship, and to live their greatness in our ONE merchandise.” ONE Championship, in partnership with international advocacy organization Global Citizen, has also joined the worldwide fight against the COVID-19 pandemic to help raise money for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, as well as other local community organizations. “In addition, we hope to make a difference in the global fight against COVID-19 by donating 10% of all net proceeds from the new ONE.SHOP towards COVID-19 relief efforts. This will continue indefinitely until we have overcome this coronavirus crisis,” Soon added. “It’s a worthy cause that will no doubt provide our medical frontliners with the assistance they need and for other local communities with a lack of access to basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter.” As part of this effort, ONE Championship is also launching two limited edition “We Are ONE” T-shirts with 100% of net proceeds going towards COVID-19 relief efforts. For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit https://www.onefc.com/about-us/, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™ ONE Championship (ONE) is the largest global sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE is the world's largest martial arts organization, hosting bouts across all styles of martial arts such as Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Karate, Kung Fu, Silat, Sanda, Lethwei, Mixed Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do, Submission Grappling, and more. ONE hosts the biggest sports entertainment events across Asia, featuring some of the world's best martial artists and world champions on the largest global media broadcast in Asia. ONE Esports, a subsidiary of ONE Championship, runs Asia's largest global esports Championship Series with some of the biggest blockbuster game titles in the world. With a focus on both martial arts and esports, ONE Championship is currently the largest producer of millennial live sports content in Asia. In addition to its digital platforms, ONE Championship broadcasts to over 2.7 billion potential viewers across 150+ countries with some of the largest global free-to-air and digital broadcasters, including Star Sports, Tencent, ABS-CBN, Astro, ClaroSports, Startimes, Fox Sports, Thairath TV, Turner Sports, Skynet, Mediacorp, Great Sports, Mediaset Italia, ProSiebenSat.1, Dubai Sports, and more.

Niharika Singh will be ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong’s Advisor on The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition

VP and Head of Product at ONE Championship, Niharika Singh, has spent countless hours inside the boardroom with Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, observing the billionaire entrepreneur make tough business decisions daily, while also making decisions alongside him. 

The 31-year-old IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore Engineering and MBA graduate has a unique vantage point to observe Sityodtong run ONE Championship, the world’s largest martial arts organization. 

She thus makes the perfect candidate to play an advisory role to Sityodtong on the upcoming ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition’ where she will assist Sityodtong judge the 16 contestants cast for the show.

“As Chatri's advisor, I will be his eyes and ears, even behind the scenes,” says Singh. “So you can expect me to be constantly observing and assessing the candidates. I will be present when Chatri delivers the tasks, will acutely observe candidates during the tasks and will play a part in the final decisions made in the boardroom.”

“I have worked extensively with Chatri so I know how he works, how his mind works and what he looks for when he is hiring,” says Singh. 

Singh started her professional career as consultant at McKinsey & Company then moved to Treebo Hotels, an early stage startup in India, before eventually relocating to Singapore.

Since joining ONE Championship as Vice President and Head of Product in mid-2019, Singh has been in constant close proximity with Sityodtong, and has been able to get a good read on how the mind of a seasoned entrepreneur operates. It’s a skill Singh believes will help her advise Sityodtong in selecting ‘The Apprentice.’

“I will be following and observing the candidates throughout the tasks and will be relaying my feedback to Chatri. As an advisor to him, I will be candid in my feedback and will strongly and publicly air my opinions. In short, if any candidate wants to get to Chatri, he or she will need to get through me first.”

The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition is slated for release and distribution in Q4 of 2020. Produced by ONE Championship’s production arm, ONE Studios, and under license from MGM Television, the popular reality television show will run on both streaming and linear platforms across the Pan Asian region. It will also air on major television networks and digital channels in over 150 countries worldwide.

Since the original American version was launched over 16 years ago, The Apprentice has become one of the world’s most successful reality television franchises in history.

Thousands of auditions from all across the globe have already poured in since the announcement of the show in late February. Although ONE has yet to reveal the initial contestants who made the cut, Singh believes Sityodtong is looking for candidates who exhibit certain qualities as both executives, and as human beings.

“‘The Apprentice’ needs to have all the traits that we already look for when we hire - the right values, the PHD factor (poor, hungry and determined - in spirit) and the will to win,” says Singh. “We look for dreamers who also have fire in their bellies to make their dreams come true.”

Singh believes that to be successful on the show, contestants have to possess three important characteristics.

“The first is resilience. It's not easy to work for Chatri, I assure you. So you better have had a lot of endurance training in the past,” says Singh.

“The second is fearlessness. Chatri doesn't like yes men or women around him. You need to be able to speak up for what is right. The third is the near impossible trait of possessing a high functioning left brain and right brain, and a good proportion of IQ and EQ.

“When it comes to choosing the winner, Chatri and I will definitely look for someone who lives and breathes the ONE Championship values. And those values do include the values of teamwork, integrity, and loyalty.”

Contestants on The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition will participate in what ONE describes as a “high-stakes game of business competitions and physical challenges.” At the end of the season, the winner will receive a US$250,000 job offer to work for a year directly under Sityodtong as his protege at the ONE Championship Global Headquarters in Singapore.

The original American version of The Apprentice was intense, and often portrayed the unforgiving and cutthroat nature of business. Singh believes that ONE Championship’s version should be able to toe the line of the original, while still have a fresh new concept that caters to the heartbeat of its Asian audience.

“I think the Asian fans will absolutely love the show,” says Singh.

“Our fans love ONE Championship not only because of the events we put together for them or for how we entertain them. They also love us for what we stand for. Above all, they love Chatri. A reality show anchored on the hunt for the person who can be Chatri's protege will find immediate connection with our fans.”

"Also, bear in mind that 12 of Asia's top CEOs will be guest judges on the show alongside Chatri. And 12 of our World Champions are going to compete in the physical challenges alongside the contestants - so this is bound to further intensify the competition,” Singh adds.

According to both Singh and Sityodtong, The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition is shaping up to be one of the most intense and toughest reality shows ever, and only the truly worthy will emerge the winner and the right to be called ‘The Apprentice.’

“We are looking for the person with the strongest mind, the toughest body, and the most unbreakable spirit - which is essentially the rite of passage to ONE Championship. So prepare to see nail-biting excitement, high stakes drama, and explosive emotions as these 16 contestants compete for the opportunity of a lifetime," Singh concluded.

Chatri Sityodtong wants ONE x UFC Super Fight Between Jingnan Xiong and Weili Zhang

Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, Chatri Sityodtong hosted a Facebook Live Q&A on Thursday as fans were invited to send in questions on a variety of topics ranging from potential signings to The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.

During the candid session which lasted almost 40 minutes, Sityodtong was asked to reveal his ‘dream match-up for women’s mixed martial arts.’ His reply described what would certainly be the biggest fight in the history of Asian MMA and a landmark moment for the sport’s growth in China.

‘For women’s mixed martial arts I would love to see Jingnan Xiong vs Weili Zhang. I think Jingnan is the one to beat Weili Zhang.’

Both competitors have taken part in some of the most iconic fights in the history of women’s MMA in recent times. Weili Zhang defended her UFC Women’s Strawweight belt in an exceptional display of grit and high-level striking against Joanna Jedrzejczyk in March. The fight was an instant classic.

Jingnan Xiong, meanwhile, continued her epic rivalry with ONE Atomweight champion Angela Lee back in October. In a follow-up to her memorable win against Lee in Japan in 2019, ‘The Panda’ lost via submission in the dying seconds of a pulsating affair to tie-up their rivalry at 1-1.

Before that loss to Lee, Jingnan was on incredible 9-fight winning streak, establishing herself as one of the very best in the world.

Incidentally, Lee was another name put forward by the ONE boss when considering dream match-ups.

‘I think Angela Lee VS any Atomweight in the world. Angela Lee is incredible. I’ve seen her in training. I’ve seen her go into a bout with pneumonia with doctor’s advice not to compete and I’ve tried my best to stop the fight. Angela Lee’s an absolute warrior and she’s just a genius on the ground.’

Lee is one of the biggest stars in women’s MMA and is likely to be back in action defending her Atomweight crown against Filipino challenger Denice Zamboanga in the near future.

The other name mentioned by Sityodtong was the supremely-talented Stamp Fairtex. The Thai became a double champion in ONE Championship by the time she was just 22 years-old, winning world titles in Muay Thai and Kickboxing.

Despite losing her Kickboxing belt to Janet Todd in February, Stamp has her sights set on winning MMA gold before too long, and showed off the rapid evolution of her ground game with a submission victory over India’s Asha Roka last year.

‘I think Stamp Fairtex could beat Weili Zhang as well. Stamp Fairtex against any female striker in the world or any female MMA fighter in the world. Even though she’s only 4-0 in MMA she’s a complete beast.’

While a cross-promotion with the UFC remains unlikely, we have seen big promotions collaborate in recent times with Rizin and Bellator co-promoting a show together in 2019 and Sityodtong made it clear that he’s open to the concept.

‘I would definitely like to see the best of the East vs the best of the West. UFC vs ONE Championship I think would be phenomenal, I think the whole entire world would watch it. And I’d love to see world champions vs world champions so definitely, for sure, I’m open to it.

Evolve MMA Launches Free Online Workouts Starting March 30

As the world copes with the challenge of the Covid-19 crisis, Evolve MMA is giving the Martial Arts community a massive boost, offering a full-schedule of daily online sessions that everyone can avail of, free of charge.

Evolve MMA closed its doors for the first time ever on March 27th as the Singapore government ordered ‘all center-based classes’ stopped and gatherings of 10 or more banned.

With Four locations across The Lion City, the award-winning franchise has become a haven for combat sports students and fitness enthusiasts across the globe, providing world-class training for global superstars and beginners alike. With the global pandemic creating a massive void in people’s lives, Evolve sought a way to fill it.

Looking to hit the ground running, the Evolve online classes start from Monday evening March 30th and participants from around the world are invited to learn from some of the most elite coaches in the game.

Evolve MMA founder Chatri Sityodtong announced the news via his Facebook page earlier on Monday;

Everyone is welcome to train together with us from the safety and comfort of your home. Simply join us on the EVOLVE Facebook page or EVOLVE YouTube channel!

The full daily class schedule will be posted tomorrow with livestream classes all day from 900am to 915pm (Singapore Standard Time), 7 days a week across Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Wrestling, Warrior Fit, and more! Every class will be a structured lesson (and workout) with interactive Q&A with our World Champions answering your live questions. LET'S GOOOOO! OSS!!!

As Asia’s premier brand for Martial Arts training, Evolve MMA boasts more World Champions than any other gym on the planet. Needless to say, memberships are highly sought-after, so this news will provide a golden opportunity for students wishing to enhance their skills under the tutelage of some true Martial Arts masters.

With over 1,000 years of championship experience, Evolve MMA’s instructors should help make days of isolation a positive experience.

Constantly looking to share immense Martial Arts and fitness knowledge with the world, Evolve MMA’s latest Facebook posts offer a glimpse into the incredible wealth of information available. With World Champions in every major discipline, Evolve MMA is the perfect source with which to either start or continue one’s Martial Arts and fitness journey.

Inspired by Manny Pacquiao, Lito Adiwang Is Following in the Footsteps of His Hero

Filipino rising star Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang is one of the most explosive action heroes on the ONE Championship roster today. A ONE Warrior Series top product, Adiwang has captivated audiences each time he’s stepped through the ropes or entered the Circle.

The 26-year-old stalwart brings with him a unique adrenaline rush with his fan-friendly style, whenever he comes to compete. Under the guidance of legendary Filipino martial artist Mark Sangiao, and his brothers-in-arms at the famed Team Lakay, Adiwang is blazing a trail through ONE Championship’s strawweight division.

But he wasn’t always a martial arts action hero. Growing up in Baguio City, Adiwang had a rough upbringing.

“I was born the youngest in a family of seven children. Life was tough and we had to get through a lot of trials. My parents used to plant crops in an open lot so we would have food to eat, but it wasn’t enough,” Adiwang recounted.

“It really taught me a lot about overcoming adversity in life. I wanted to help my family, but I felt powerless. Then I lost my fourth sibling in a mining accident. My parents separated when I was a teenager. I just felt hopeless.”

Just when things were progressively getting tougher for the young Adiwang, he found hope in a Philippine sporting icon.

Like many children growing up in the Philippines, Adiwang was captivated by legendary boxer, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. The young “Thunder Kid” drew strength and inspiration from Pacquiao’s incredible career.

Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight division world champion, is arguably the greatest boxer of his generation. He’s captured multiple world titles, defeated legends, and achieved worldwide fame and fortune.

It soon became Adiwang’s dream to be just like his idol.

“Growing up watching the rise of Manny Pacquiao, I was motivated to become a boxer just like him. I wanted to represent my country and make my people proud too. I wanted to help bring my family out of hardship and poverty,” said Adiwang.

“There used to be an old church on the streets where I grew up, where I initially started to learn how to box. I was 12 years old at the time. I would shadowbox and imagine I was Manny Pacquiao, fighting against legends like Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera. I loved his relentless style. His opponents couldn’t handle him.”

Today, there are similarities in Adiwang’s dynamite-laden strikes and Pacquiao’s ferociousness. Just like Pacquiao, Adiwang features a relentless attack. He throws punches with no caution, and everything he comes forward with is packed with bout-ending power.

The results have been absolutely stunning.

Adiwang is thus far unbeaten in his ONE Championship stint. Gaining his start on the uber popular ONE Warrior Series, Adiwang’s star has truly shined. He won his first three bouts under the watchful eye of mixed martial arts legend Rich Franklin.

Not long after, the 26-year-old earned a six-figure contract with ONE Championship, after Franklin saw immediate potential. He then strung together two incredible finishes as part of ONE’s main roster.

“I knew Lito [Adiwang] was something special the moment I saw him train, and eventually compete. He just has that finishing instinct that not everyone has. With some polish, I knew Lito would make a huge impact in ONE Championship,” said Franklin, ONE Warrior Series CEO.

“He’s a phenomenal athlete and I just see him powering through the division. He still has much to learn, but he’s also developing at such a rapid pace. I’m really proud of what he’s accomplished so far, and very excited for what the future holds for him.”

It’s still early in his career and the possibilities are endless. Whether Adiwang goes down the path of his idol, Manny Pacquiao, remains to be seen. But there’s no denying the “Thunder Kid” is traversing a similar road.

“To be even considered in the same breath as Manny, it’s such an honor. If I can accomplish even a fraction of what he has in his career, I can consider my career a success,” said Adiwang.

“Right now I’m just focused on being the best that I can be. I really want to prove myself against the best opponents, and I feel I am ready.”