After Olympics success: Paalam’s broken family sings together again

By Lynde Salgados
Correspondent

POVERTY, to the extreme level, had separated the parents of Carlo Paalam when he was only six years old.

It also led young Carlo to difficult struggle, living life as a street urchin and, at a time, picking up garbage at what was then known as landfill area in Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro that also turned as dumping ground for dead bodies during the great Sendong catastrophe.

Now 24 years old and a wealthy provider, Olympics boxing silver medalist Paalam would eventually bring back the broken pieces together as his estranged parents, Jocelyn and Pio Rio would mend fences and reunite upon the boxing hero’s arrival here on Tuesday morning from Manila.

And they’re not only seeing eye to eye but seated together with Carlo comforting with his “golden arms” wrapped on them from the back of a VIP bus provided by city mayor Oscar Moreno to fetch the boxing hero and his entourage from Laguindingan airport.

“For the first time silang tulo akong nakita nga happy gyod kaayo. Both Jocelyn and Pio Rio are already living on separate lives with their respective families. Pero ang ilang friendship nga nabalik lisod na mabuhat labi na sa mga nabulag nga magti-ayon. Poverty is rewarding sometimes in the midst of a stormy relationship,” said Carlo’s coach and guardian Elmer Pamisa.

“Dili mapugngan nga makilig ka sa ilang sweetness sulod sa bus nga limited lang ang gipasakay because of the Covid health protocol,” said Stephen Dacoco of the City Hall’s sports program body.

“Very touching nga eksena makatulo sa luha,” he added.

Originated from a secluded farming community in Talakag, Bukidnon, the Paalams went to Balingoan, Misamis Oriental where Carlo spent his childhood for some time.

After a failed marriage and the mother left them for good, Carlo and his father tried their luck in the City of Gold where he learned to punch at the age of 10 then under the tutelage of former Olympian Roberto Jalnaiz in the province’s boxing program when Moreno was still governor of Misamis Oriental.

Pamisa said his ward’s success in Tokyo Olympics had also encouraged him to embrace forgiveness against those who almost ruined his future when he was unceremoniously kicked out from the city sports program as a start-up.

“Gadumot gyod siya pero ang dakong grasya sa Kahitas-an nakapahupay sa iyang loob sa pagpasaylo,” Pamisa said.

City sports chief Jaymar Rivera said that Paalam’s newfound fortune estimated to be over P20 million from cash rewards and pledges was significant in repairing the strained relationship of his parents and solidifying the poverty-stricken family.

“Boxing to which some see as a cruel sport had eventually saved the Paalams from falling out. And it’s an inspiration now to many poor children in the countrysides to dream big and aspire for greatness like their new idol in Carlo Paalam,” Rivera said.