Boxing legend, ‘champ of the oppressed’ cited

By George Trillo

SAN FERNANDO CITY,Pampanga  --- This city commemorated Jan. 13 the 118th birth anniversary of Vivencio Cuyugan, a local hero who became a popular boxer in the US in the early 90’s who was known as “Champion of the Oppressed.”

 

Cuyugan was the first mayor of this city under the Philippine Commonwealth, and the first Socialist in the Philippines to be elected mayor.

 

After the Japanese era in the Philippines, Cuyugan was reinstated as mayor of San Fernando, but was soon replaced due to his uncompromising position in defense of the continuing struggle of the Hukbalahap.

 

City officials together with the relatives of Cuyugan led the ceremony held at the Cuyugan ancestral house in Barangay delPilar here.

 

“Without our heroes we will not be enjoying our freedom today. Let us not forget our heroes. It is our obligation to give them honor and respect because they fought for our freedom,” Rodriguez said.

 

As a representative of the Cuyugan family, Fides Cuyugan, nationally known theater director and actress, thanked the city officials for honoring the local hero.

 

Cuyugan was born on January 13, 1895 in San Fernando, Pampanga to Saturnino P. Cuyugan and Antonina Y. Baron.

 

He studied in the United States where he supported himself through professional boxing and became known as the “Big Brown Filipino.”

 

The City Information Office said Cuyugan was one of the voices of the oppressed, a mission he had lived even while working in the United States to support his studies. While there, he was jailed for his principles by defending the oppressed.

 

“Bail was set for two hundred thousand dollars. But the Filipino community rallied in his defense and hired one of the greatest criminal lawyers, Clarence Darrow, to plead his case. He was acquitted and decided to return to the Philippines,” it said.

 

While in jail, Cuyugan was the subject of newspapers in the Philippines and Chicago.

 

He returned home as a celebrated hero. Shortly after his arrival, Cuyugan was appointed municipal vice president of San Fernando in 1927.

 

He would later be elected to the same position in 1931.