Boholanos were naturally rooting for an impressive win for Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista when he faced Nicaraguan journeyman Robert Bonilla last Saturday in the undercard of the World Boxing Council superfeatherweight title fight between Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez. Bautista did not disappoint his folks back home – and a growing fan base – by knocking out Bonilla in the third round. Showing no mercy for the Nicaraguan toughie 12 years his senior, the 19-year-old lad from Candijay town gave a masterful display that left no doubt about his future in the ring. Considering the swiftness - and the ease - with which he disposed of Bonilla, there is no way for Bautista to go but up. Looking every inch like a starry-eyed kid when he is out of the ring, Boom-Boom is mean fighting machine inside the ropes like Ray Mancini, the legendary bruiser who was the original “Boom Boom”.

Among those who signed up for the Bautista fans club were respected American boxing commentators Bob Sheridan and Dave Bontempo, two men who know boxing like the palm of their hands. Not really a surprise since Freddie Roach calls Bautista “Baby Face Assassin” and Manny Pacquiao calls him “Idol”. Bautista is now primed for the crown but he is not there yet. The beauty is not so much that the championship is in sight. Rather it is the thought that Boholanos have invested in Bautista just in time – when he was just starting.

Many boxers become instant heroes only when they snatch a world crown. It is not so with Boom Boom. Tagbilaran sent him off on his quest for a world crown. As Mayor Dan Lim described it, the city hitched its wagon to Boom Boom's star. He has become an inspiration in Tagbilaran's own bid for growth and progress. At the rate Boom Boom is earning accolades, it will not be long before he will rightfully claim his niche as the next Manny Pacquiao – even greater. If he remains disciplined and determined as he is now, Boom Boom is headed for greater glory.

Considering Lim's love affair with Boom Boom's manager, boxing guru Antonio Aldeguer, the prospect of Tagbilaran turning into a boxing mecca is not really remote. A boxing boom in the city is in the offing. And yet, it is not just about Boom Boom and boxing. It is also about hope and dreams for a better life. These days, it is easy to be part of the Boom Boom fans club and indulge in the Boom Boom mania. But the question is whether we gain anything out of it. The morale of the story is not so much about what Boom Boom – his success, to be more precise - is doing for Tagbilaran, or Candijay for that matter. It is the need to invest in a dream, to plant if you want to reap something in return.