Palace fetes boxer Julaton, 2 Fil-Ams in American Idol

Malacañang on Sunday feted Filipino-American boxer Ana “The Hurricane" Julaton for successfully defending her World Boxing Organization super bantamweight title against Mexican-American Franchesca Alcanter in California Friday (Saturday in Manila). Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte noted that Julaton’s win came a week after Nonito Donaire Jr. captured the World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council bantamweight titles. “Gusto natin ipaabot ang ating pagkagalak sa pagpapanalo ng ating Fil-Am si Ana Julaton. She successfully defended her WBO crown ... It comes at the heels ng pagkapanalo ni Nonito Donaire. Para sa atin isa lang itong malakas na indikasyon na namamayagpag ang Pilipino pagdating sa sport na boxing," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. (We want to make known our joy over Julaton’s victory in successfully defending her WBO crown. It comes at the heel of Donaire’s victory last week. This goes to show Filipinos are tops in boxing.) Julaton, 30, despite a disadvantage in size and reach, out-boxed Alcanter in 10 rounds, winning over the judges who scored the bout 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 in her favor. Last Feb. 20 (Manila time), Donaire pummeled Mexico’s Fernando Montiel to win both WBO and WBC titles. Donaire, the challenger, rocked Montiel with a left hook that sent the champion to the canvas. While Montiel made it back to his feet, referee Russell Mora stopped the fight at 2:25 of the round. Donaire (26-1, 18 knockouts) has won 25 consecutive fights, raising his record to 26-1 with 18 knockouts. American idol Meanwhile, Valte also feted two Filipino-Americans — Clint Jun Gamboa and 15-year-old Thia Megia — who made it to the next round of reality television competition “American Idol." Jasmine Trias has so far had the most successful Filipino-American finish in “American Idol," copping third place in the show’s third season. Another contestant with Filipino roots, Camille Velasco, had made it to the Top 9 in Season 3. “Nakakatuwa naman na makita natin ang reemergence of young talent. It must really be in the blood. Talaga medyo musically inclined siguro ang mga Pilipino (It is good to see the reemergence of young talent. It must really be in the blood. Filipinos are really musically inclined)," Valte said. On the other hand, she noted Filipino-Canadian child singing sensation Maria Aragon had won the admiration of pop superstar Lady Gaga. — KBK, GMA News