In the heart of San Francisco, multi-division world boxing champion Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. has completed a deeply emotional journey back to his heritage. After 30 years in the United States, he has reacquired his Filipino citizenship, capping a chapter that began when he migrated to America at the tender age of 11.
Born in Bohol, the Philippines, the future Hall of Famer made a name for himself in the boxing ring, triumphing as a Filipino American through a 22-year professional career filled with glory and passion. This connection to his roots never waned, and on August 14, 2023, at the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in San Francisco, he took his Oath of Allegiance and embraced his dual citizenship.
The process was neither quick nor easy. “I am very proud and whole now that I have my Philippine citizenship. Being Bohol-born, for years I have tried to get my citizenship but I was always missing a paper. With my mom’s help, I was able to complete my package of requirements,” Donaire Jr. shared in a PCG report that revealed the boxer’s embracing of his heritage.
His renewed connection to the Philippines is about more than personal identity. It’s about love, pride, and a commitment to making a difference. The 40-year-old champion, who has already provided humanitarian aid through building typhoon-resilient homes, setting up sustainable waste management systems, and installing water filtration systems in rural communities, said, “My citizenship will allow me to stay in the Philippines longer and create change and growth for Filipinos through economical, sociological, and environmental projects through action.”
During the poignant oath-taking, Donaire Jr.’s face is captured by the camera beaming with joy, as his wife Rachel and sons Jarel and Logan stand by his side. They, too, embraced their dual citizenship, embodying a family’s collective reconnection to their heritage.
Mabuhay! Donito "Filipino Flash" Donaire Jr. has successfully reacquired his Philippine citizenship 30 years after he migrated to the United States. Stay tuned for the full story here https://t.co/PcL9HdOVQo
— GoodNewsPilipinas.com (@GoodNewsPinas_) August 22, 2023
With titles including the IBF flyweight champion, WBC and WBO bantamweight champion, and WBA featherweight champion under his belt, Donaire Jr. isn’t just a sports icon. He symbolizes strength, resilience, and a relentless love for his roots. The oldest boxer to win a world bantamweight title at 38, his fights are a testament to his unwavering spirit. And now, at 40, he continues to inspire as an active figure in the boxing circuit, embodying the fire and pride of a nation that has embraced him once again.
SEND MABUHAY CHEERS in the comments below to Nonito Donaire Jr. for reacquiring his Philippine citizenship!
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