GAB Chairman Mitra Honors Former DOH Secretary Paulyn Ubial for Her Contributions to Philippine Boxing

By Carlos Costa

In an engaging, meaningful gathering, GAB Chairman Abraham Kahlil Mitra honored former Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dra. Paulyn Ubial for her work and contributions to Filipino Boxing, the reunion taking place Wednesday (Aug 1) at GAB Head Office in Makati, Metro Manila.

Dra. Ubial was given bouquet of flowers and treated by the Games and Amusement Board Chairman, Commissioners and Staff as a special guest of honor.

The honoring was in appreciation for Ubial’s leadership, under which the DOH and GAB joined efforts to secure free MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and other medical exams to all Filipino professional boxers.

Dra. Paulyn Ubial first expressed the her willingness to contribute to boxing during her attendance to GAB’s 3rd Philippine Boxing Convention in Davao in May of last year.

Three months later an official agreement was reached and by October of last year Dra. Ubial signed the administrative order, which got into effect in early November of last year.

The important, humanitarian order provides guidelines for free diagnostics as well as medical and neurological exams for all Filipino professional boxers at government’s DOH hospitals throughout the country.

The proven kindness from the Philippine government towards its professional boxers led the World Boxing Council (WBC) to single out the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) as a caring and exemplary institution, honoring the GAB with the distinction of being the WBC world’s best boxing commission of the Year.

The doctora has been instrumental in the success.

DOCTORA PAULYN UBIAL: SPORTS MINDED, ADVOCATE OF CHANGE

Born in Iloilo, Dra. Paulyn Ubial served as Health Secretary from July 2016 to early October 2017.

She was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to replace Dra. Janette Garin, the Health secretary of the preceding president Benigno Aquino III.

However, the Commission of Appointments of the Congress of the Philippines did not approve Dra. Ubial’s appointment as Health Secretary, ending her ad-interim tenure in October of 2017.

Nevertheless, in addition to providing her brotherly support to Filipino professional boxing, Dra. Paulyn Ubial has been recognized as a successful, avid anti-tobacco advocate.

In fact, the doctora helped author Executive Order 26, which bans smoking in enclosed public places and transportation servicing the general population, whether stationary or in motion; with smoking only allowed in designated smoking areas.

Humanitarian physician Dra. Loysa Orense, in attendance during the honoring of Dra. Ubial at GAB Head Office, commented from her heart:

“May our country the Philippines have more like these government officials who really think of the best interest of their constituents. Thank you Dra. Paulyn Ubial for your sincere effort! This showcases the true heart of being a doctor, which is service.”

In the eyes of the boxing community, the honoring of Dra. Ubial – whose work and vision benefits professional boxers – reflects positive on the Games and Amusement Board and its Chairman.

Posing in the camera are from left to right: GAB doctor Dr. Radentor R. Viernes, Dra. Loysa Orense, Dra. Paulyn Ubial, GAB Chief Assistant Secretary Jackie Lou Cacho, GAB Chairman Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra and GAB Boxing Division Head Dioscoro B. Bautista.

The author Carlos Costa, 57, is a Panama-born Boxing Writer living permanent in the Philippines. Carlos can be reached by email: Carlos512@hotmail.com and by Whatsapp/Viber: +639184538152.l