Donnie “Ahas” Nietes has gone a long way from being a janitor in a boxing gym to becoming the gym’s biggest star and the Philippines’ longest reigning world boxing champion.
 
The soft-spoken fighter from Murcia, Negros Occidental shared his inspiring journey to greatness in a tribute video to be aired on ABS-CBN and to be posted on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel as part of the network’s celebration of its 65^th anniversary.
 
There, Donnie and his family members talk about his humble beginnings until he became a world champion in four weight divisions, dominating the sport for 13 years and counting. He also gives thanks to ABS-CBN, which consistently aired his fights via the “Pinoy Pride” series, and reported about his triumphs for the entire nation to see and know.
 
“I am very happy to be able to bring honor to my hometown and the entire Philippines. As long as I can still fight, I will bring pride to the country. I am proud to be that person from Murcia who is now known all over the world because of ABS-CBN,” he said.
 
Apart from Donnie’s story, ABS-CBN also shared this week the amazing stories of grit, passion, and triumph of shadow play group “El Gamma Penumbra” and lawyer Hilmarie Nimo.
 
The first ever champion in “Asia’s Got Talent” started in a dark empty apartment where its members used to rehearse and started to dream. Their lives have changed ever since they became contestants and eventual finalists in the ABS-CBN talent reality program “Pilipinas Got Talent,” which spawned guestings in TV and countless invitations to perform all over the country and abroad.
 
The group, which is set to compete in the “World’s Got Talent” tilt, also became part of Choose Philippines’ tourism campaign, which encouraged them to give back and share their talent and creativity to other Filipinos up to this day.
 
Hilmarie, meanwhile, was an outstanding student from Bulacan who used to walk for three hours straight to go to school. With perseverance and help from ABS-CBN and Knowledge Channel, she rose above all the challenges, overcame poverty, and turned her big dreams into reality.
 
Be inspired by the #KwentongKapamilya of Donnie Nietes, El Gamma Penumbra, and Hilmarie Nimo featured in tribute videos airing after “TV Patrol” this week and posted online on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel to celebrate ABS-CBN 65 years in public service. For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or visit abscbnpr.com.