I am a father of two daughters, a sales consultant for a food distributor, and a person who leads his life with compassion and care for others.
My father raised our family of 5 working in the hospitality industry for over 40 years. To this day he is still bartending. He has welcomed and taken care of many customers and guests through his years in the food and beverage industry. He and my mother came to Canada from the Philippines in the seventies to give us a comfortable Canadian lifestyle. I have had the privilege to live a great life here in Vancouver/Richmond. I have also had my struggles and dealt with mental health, as many do. I am privileged to be able to dive deep into personal development through men's work with Arka, a local men's group/brotherhood. I am advocate for men's work and know how beneficial it is to support one another.
We are not all given the opportunity to thrive in this day and age, and that's one of the reasons I'm participating in this year's Rumble. I'm fighting for the individuals who are not so privileged and have had less than ideal situation presented to them.
I am also fighting for the dish piggies, the line cooks, the grumpy servers who work day in and day out at your favourite pub and/or restaurant not looking for any recognition but just trying to survive and provide for their families.
Lastly, I'm fighting for myself, I turn 40 this year and I'm challenging myself to step into the ring and hopefully entertain some folks. There is no better way to do this, than with a community of caring and passionate people who are looking to take care of each other.
"Better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war."
Founded in 2012, Aprons for Gloves Boxing Association is a non-profit organization focused on providing community outreach through the sport of boxing. Based in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the organization was developed by a small group of professionals and entrepreneurs who seized an opportunity to re-establish a historic boxing program for at-risk women and youth. Through Eastside Boxing Club, the program offers free mentorship and training to individuals who may otherwise not have the resources or support to participate in such activities. Why boxing? Because it's a sport that teaches discipline, respect, hard work and self-control. Consistent training results in positive self-esteem, good mental and physical health and social support through peers.
Eastside Rumble 2023
Every year for Aprons for gloves, bartenders, chefs, dishwaters, servers, baristas and all sorts of individuals from the Vancouver community get together to train at Eastside Boxing Club to fight to support outreach projects in DTES. This year the name has been changed to Eastside Rumble to reflect our inclusion and invitation to all people, not just those who work in the hospitality sector.
In order to continue training, each contender is required to meet fundraising milestones along the way. Ultimately, raising $2000 for charity makes them eligible to compete at the Rumble.
Check out the promo video from 2014
If you make a contribution or Follow this campaign, you'll be among the first to hear when tickets go on sale. That means you'll have a chance to see your friend get beat up, live, in person!
Make it happen. Click Contribute now.
For those wanting to donate over $500 or more, tax receipts can be issued with our charitable partner Glasshouse. The check should be made out to Glasshouse Capacity Services Society and in the memo line indicate Eastside Boxing Club. Thank you!
