Two Filipino boxers, one of them from Bacolod City, triumphed in their respective bouts against Mexican foes at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, yesterday (Philippine time)

Nonito “the Filipino Flash, Donaire grabbed the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization bantamweight crowns from Fernando Montiel  when he won via technical knockout in the second round of their fight (story on  page 21).

Bacoleño welterweight boxer "Mighty" Mark Jason Melliguen, meanwhile, defeated Mexican Gabriel Martinez in a unanimous decision in their non-title undercard clash with the score of 99-91, 99-91, 98-92.

The newly inaugurated Pope John Paul II museum of Life and Love at the PJPII tower at the Bacolod City Reclamation area features two objects directly connected to the late pope, Bishop Vicente Navarra said yesterday.

Navarra led the inauguration of the museum together with Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and several papal awardees.

The inauguration coincided with the 30th year commemoration of the visit of Pope John Paul II to Bacolod City on February 20, 1981 where he was welcomed by thousands of Catholics.

The parents of a Bacoleña jailed in Bangkok, Thailand, who may have unwittingly been made a “drug mule” by a syndicate, are opting to write the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, to appeal for clemency for their daughter.

This was disclosed yesterday by Nede Talaban, mother of Flory May Talaban, 28, who is serving a life sentence at the Correctional Institute for Female Offenders in Bangkok, Thailand, for possession of illegal drugs.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra yesterday called for prayers for the three Filipinos facing death penalties for possession of drugs in China, whose executions have been postponed, and for Talaban.