Pinoy Mano Mano underground

Hosts Cesar Montano and Bayani Agbayani unveiled the line-up of boxing matches during the presscon of the new reality TV show, Pinoy Mano-Mano Celebrity Boxing Challenge, which will premiere on October 27.

First to step up on the ring will be TJ Trinidad against Jordan Herrera. They will be followed by Michael Roy Jornales and Biboy Ramirez. The two Rico's, Barrera and Robles, will be slugging it off while Joem Bascon and Eric Fructuoso complete the elimination matches.

Also present at the luncheon held at the ABS-CBN compound last week were noted sports broadcaster Ed Picson, boxing analyst Dennis Principe, Amateur Boxing Association (ABAP) Sec-Gen Roger Fortaleza, Joseph Pagulayan of Red Corner Boxing, director Abet Ramos and the show's creator Richard Arellano.

Ed Picson shared that he came on board the show because he wants to give the fights some good annotations.

"We're looking foreward to a lot of drama, a lot of action. Hopefully, walang mangyaring pikunan. Pero as a sportscaster, I'm looking forward to this project. Alam ko malaki ang pag-asa na susundan ito hindi lang ng mga sports-minded fans but also those na inevitably na magiging boxing fans din dahil sa mga participants natin," the sports anchor said.

Dennis Principe, on the other hand, was apprehensive about joining the show.
"I was having a few doubts and curious din ako kasi I have been covering a lot of professional fights. Kasi we know very well na pinaka-puhunan nila ay yung hitsura nila. Eh, pa-paano iyon, magbabakbakan. When I saw them na palitan talaga ng suntok, parang actual na yung pinagdadaanan nila. The more na na-convince ako na isang magandang idea ito."

"Sila po ay araw-araw nag-tre-training. At ang iba po sa kanila, para makasiguro po sa lakas nila at kakayahan, dalawang beses po nag-tre-training sa isang araw, hindi lang po isang beses. Dinadagdagan po nila," Cesar proudly tells Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP).

The actor also recalled the bloody nose Jordan got in the mock fight. "Hindi po natin masisiguro na si Jordan po ay tatamaan ulit sa ilong sa susunod po. Iba pa yung sampahan sa ring at iba po talaga ang kanilang nararamdaman."

But the show is not all about breaking each other's faces.
Show creator Richard Arellano said the participants will be competing for their chosen charitable institution.

"They're not fighting only for themselves, but they're fighting for their family, their fighting for their fellowmen.

"Ma-di-discover din nila yung sarili nila kung hanggang saan ang kakayahan nila. Makilala nila yung pagkatao nila," assured Richard.