THIS Friday, May 20, ABS-CBN’s hardhitting boxing reality show, “Kamao:Matira Matibay,” is on its final night and its two top boxers, Regie “Baby Ama” Amarante and Gary “Popoy” Lastrilla, are facing each other off at the Ynares Gym to settle once and for all who’d be the last man standing. These past few months, boxing fans were treated to the exciting matches of 11 boxers who had to brave different tests that challenged their strength and skill. Baby Ama of Bagacay, Dumaguete, is considered “the eliminator” as he subdued Joel “Da Great” Rafols, Danny “Singin” Areola, and Joel “Da King” Garcia. Boxing blood runs in his veins as his grandpa was also a boxer and his neighbor, Boxing World champ Sonny Sakristan, really influenced him to a pugilist. Will he win and achieve his dream of giving his 4-year-old child a brighter future? Popoy is a certified FPJ fan and hails from Calinog, Iloilo. The 7th of 13 kids, five of whom are also boxers, he’s been joining various boxing competitions since childhood, from inter-barangays to Palarong Pambansa matches. He joined the Philippine Navy as an athlete, which is why he’s tagged Kap by his fellow boxers. He has a girlfriend who now works in Kuwait and his dream is to help his big family have a better life.

“Kamao” is hosted by Robin Padilla, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Vina Morales.

[source: People's Journal article by Mario Bautista]