By FREDDIE G. LAZARO

VIGAN CITY – A warm welcome fit for a returning hero was given reigning World Boxing Council light flyweight champion Brian Viloria during his homecoming here Monday. Thousands of Ilocanos came out of their homes and lined up the streets in order to see Viloria who was whisked into a waiting motorcade after arriving at the Vigan airport.

It was the second homecoming of Viloria, a son of Ilocano couple who migrated to Hawaii, after he captured the WBC title last September 10, 2005.

He came home for the second time barely a month after he succeeded in his first title defense against Mexican challenger Jose Antonio Aguirre at the Aladdin Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA last February 19, 2006.

Accompanying him in the motorcade was Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Chavit Singson and Vigan City Mayor Ferdinand C. Medina.

Viloria later went to his own hometown Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, where Mayor Edgardo D. Zaragosa also accorded him a short program to honor his boxing glory.

During a short program at Vigan City Hall, Mayor Medina and Vice mayor Frans Ranches Jr. handed Viloria a resolution enacted by the city council adopting him as an “illustrious son” of the World Heritage City of Vigan.

“Vigan City takes pride in the achievements of Brian Viloria and recognizes him as a role-model worthy of emulation by Ilocano youth especially the young people of Vigan,” Medina said.

“It is my great honor to be a son of this world heritage city of Vigan and I deserve this award more than what I did,” Viloria humbly said.

He confirmed that in the second round of his fight with Aguirre, his right hand was hurt but he had to keep on fighting till he succeeded.

Living on Waipahu, Hawaii, the boxing champion is the son of Benjamin Viloria of Barangay San Jose, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur and Rosemarie Costales of barangay Nalvo, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, who both migrated to Hawaii.

Under the able supervision of his father, Brian was able to develop into a champion fighter with his noted powerful “Hawaiian Punch,” now known as “Pinoy Punch”.