The program aims to generating financial support to fund the training, equipment, and exposure, both local and international, of Filipino amateur boxers who are considered as the best bets to end the country’s gold medal drought in the Olympics.

"Tayo po ay patuloy sa ating paniniwala na ang amateur boxing ang makakakuha ng unang gintong medalya sa Olympiada para sa ating bansa," ABAP Executive Director Ed Picson said.

Picson and ABAP Secretary-General Patrick Gregorio graced a special session of the weekly PSA Forum at the Emerald Garden Restaurant to expound on the ambitious but affable project that had its soft launching last December.

So far, the fund drive has generated P1 million from Maynilad and P2 million from Meralco, two giant firms under the stewardship of PLDT and Smart telecommunications chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, the chairman of the country’s governing body for boxing.

What easily elated both ABAP officials had been the outpouring of support both from the private sector and the common people.

Picson related during the public service program presented by Outlast Battery, Pagcor and Shakey’s how, during one occasion, businessman Cecilio Pedro, whose family owns Hapee Toothpaste, approached him and handed out a check the Filipino entrepreneur described as "maliit lang." It turned out the check was for P1 million.

The fund drive has also raised P200,000 worth of donations in one month from people from all walks of life through the different "Suntok Ginto" boxes and canisters in 40 SM branches nationwide.

"We really want to reach out to more of our countrymen, especially those who have the means," said Picson. "Alam naman natin na walang katapusan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga boksingero, kaya kung lahat-lahat tayo ay magsasama-sama sa pagtulong sa ating mga boksingero, siguradong malayo po ang ating mararating."

Gregorio also recounted how the ABAP, recently named as the 2010 National Sports Association of the Year by the PSA, was able to collect P5,000 from those who witnessed the final day of the National Amateur Boxing Championships in Misamis Oriental, where the "Suntok Ginto" project was presented.

"Galing po ito sa mga ordinaryong tao. Kaya nakakataba po ito ng puso sa ating kilusan," said Gregorio.

Picson clarified the ABAP is not begging for financial support to provide for the needs of Filipino boxers, whom the association plans to send to at least seven to eight international tournaments this year, including the 2012 London Olympic qualifier in Azerbaijan.