Posted by ReyFort Media
Today is a very special day for me, as I reunited with a very good friend I first met 50 years ago—Johnny Elorde, one of my most competitive opponents during our amateur boxing days. Johnny is the son of the legendary Filipino boxing icon, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, one of the most respected names in Philippine boxing history.
Johnny, a Rotary Director, and his wife, Liza Elorde—who currently serves as District Governor of Rotary Club of Manila Premier, District 3810 in the Philippines—were in Calgary, Alberta, attending the Rotary International Convention. During the event, they met some of my fellow Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Vancouver Mountainview. In conversation, the famous “Elorde” name in boxing came up—followed by the surprising mention of my own name. That connection instantly sparked memories of our shared boxing past.
The wonderful part is that Johnny and Liza had planned a short trip to Richmond to visit her niece, and we arranged to meet. We finally saw each other again, rekindling not only old memories but also a friendship that time and distance had never erased.
From boxing rings to Rotary meetings, life truly has a way of bringing people full circle.
Photos are the officers and members of both Rotary Club District 3810 -Manila and 5040- Vancouver.
ReyFort Media 
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