The Spirit Behind the Gloves

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  — Matthew 6:33

Lumaban Boxing Club is a community of enthusiasts and competitors, where lives are transformed through the sport of boxing. Founded in San Juan, La Union, Lumaban emerged from a passion for the sweet science and a desire to make a difference. We train daily from 3 to 6 PM, competing in municipal, provincial, regional, and national tournaments. Beyond the ring, our boxers pay-it-forward by teaching free classes open to the public, spreading the values of discipline, resilience, and community. Your support helps sustain this mission, while empowering fighters across the Philippines with the training, equipment, and opportunities they need to thrive.

From a young age, martial arts has been an integral part of my life. Some of my earliest memories were learning basic Judo from my Lola, who also taught me to dance. But through my formative years my uncle nurtured that spark further, teaching me Kempo and Hapkido. Though I grew up as a big fight fan, I was discouraged from competing and instead pursued a career in education. Yet, I became disillusioned with the field, left, and ventured into the music industry. By my mid-20s, I still hadn’t found my groove in the corporate world, but I had discovered my passion for Boxing and Muay Thai, dedicating all my spare time to training and competing in gym smokers.

At 30, after the passing of my Lola, I decided to leave my hometown of Toronto and move to Los Angeles. There, I deepened my understanding of the sweet science at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club. That gym was like heaven on earth for me. I fell in love with the community because it was an unlikely mix of people gathered together to push each other towards being better everyday. Within four years, I found myself in a professional fighter’s corner as Chief Second, beginning my journey as a coach. I have since worked with champions, journeymen, amateurs, and enthusiasts alike. But my goal has always been to share the club atmosphere I fell in love with, here in the Philippines.

A Club is Born

When I first arrived in San Juan, La Union, I wasn’t sure I would train anyone. This coastal town, known more for its surfing waves than sparring rings, seemed an unlikely place to lace up gloves. At first, I was just holding mitts for folks looking to sweat off the weekend weight. This wasn’t satisfying my passion to teach.

Coming out of the COVID pandemic slightly depressed, I offered to train a friend’s son and two other boys—the sons of their helper—for free. Before long, they were coming back every day.

The most game of them, Joryl, had relocated from the squatters’ area of Taguig. His dedication led him to take on his first fight after only a few months of training—and he won by stoppage. That victory sent the first ripples through our province.

Soon after, Jefrie, a natural puncher from Zamboanga, sought me out with his uncle and four cousins. We started training daily, and the Lumaban Boxing Club was born.

More Than Just Fighting

Boxing offers an opportunity to face our worst enemy: ourselves. For those who step into our gym, it’s a call to more than just physical combat. It’s about fighting for discipline, fighting against despair, and fighting to discover who you are. In a world where too many young people are lost to the screen, new trends, and the plethora of things vying for their limited attention, Lumaban offers a different path. Here, the ring becomes a sanctuary, a proving ground, and a classroom.

Muhammad Ali once said, "Boxing clubs keep kids off the streets, teach discipline, and give them a place where they can dream of being something great". I’ve seen this truth firsthand. Young boys and girls step through the doors carrying burdens they might not yet know how to name. They come looking for strength, to protect themselves, or to find purpose. What they often find is that boxing builds resilience.

A Community of Champions

Lumaban didn’t spring from a business plan; it grew out of need—a need for discipline, structure, and a place where mind and body could be honed. Success here doesn’t come from wins alone, but from showing up, pushing through fatigue, and learning to rise after falling. The boxing gym is one of the last honest spaces left, where effort equals reward.

In just over two years, Lumaban has produced 15 provincial gold medalists, 7 regional finalists, and 1 national finalist. In 2023, we claimed a Gold medal at the Philippine National Games in the men's 57 kg division.

Building Spirit

In this corner of La Union, Lumaban isn’t just a boxing club. It’s a community of life, faith, and transformation. Parents who were once skeptical now see their children with new found confidence and eagerness to be helpful at home. Young fighters learn that the most important battles are fought not just in the ring, but in daily choices. 

Matthew 6:33 reminds us that purpose must come before prosperity. At Lumaban, we build souls and spirits, trusting that everything else will follow. And the victories come—not only in the form of championships, but in teenagers staying on a righteous path, and in being role models for others.

I may not have planned to train anyone in La Union, but Lumaban taught me that sometimes the most important plans aren’t ours to make. We build because the community needs it. Lumaban Boxing Club isn’t just where we learn to fight. It’s where we learn what’s worth fighting for.

How You Can Help

A large portion of our sales goes toward providing training, travel, food, and equipment for our team. We also sponsor and subsidize equipment for hundreds of fighters around the country. If our story inspires you and you want to support our mission to bring quality gear and training to those that need it most, you can contribute via PayPal: www.paypal.me/lumabanboxingclub

Thank you for being in our corner!