Actress Kaye Abad is one proud mom after her eldest son, Pio Joaquin, won his first-ever boxing match at just eight years old.
The competition, organized by a local boxing gym in Cebu City where Joaquin has been training, marked a milestone for the young athlete — and an emotional one for his mom.
Sharing photos and clips from the match on Instagram last October 4, Kaye expressed her pride and admiration for her son’s determination.
“My lucid tiger, I’m so proud of you, my love. You were coughing so badly just hours before the fight that we even thought of canceling it but you still chose to step into the ring. What made me even prouder was seeing you look for BJ after the fight, just so you could share your winnings with him. Congratulations, Joaquin!” the Tabing Ilog star wrote.
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In another post, Kaye took time to thank the people who guided and supported Joaquin in his first boxing journey.
“For the people behind Joaquin’s win — to Coach Jinggoy, who first saw his potential and patiently guided him every step of the way, thank you for pushing him to do better, for instilling discipline. Joaquin wouldn’t be the boxer he is today without your dedication and heart.”
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“To the Omega team, for making training not only effective but also fun—you gave him a second family inside the gym. To Uncle Pao, for believing in him and always cheering him on. To BJ, for being more than just a sparring partner—for being a friend to Joaquin. And most of all, to his dad, who stood by him through this whole month of training and the fight itself. Thank you for being his strength. I am grateful for each one of you. KUMBATI!!!”
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Earlier this year, Kaye and her husband Paul Jake Castillo celebrated Joaquin’s birthday with a boxing-themed party — a fitting preview of his budding interest in the sport.
Joaquin has been training in boxing since mid-2024, following in the athletic footsteps of his dad, who competed in the IronMan 70.3 triathlon in Cebu last August.
In a 2024 interview with journalist Karen Davila, Kaye shared that she has fully embraced her family life in Cebu since settling there after marriage.
“I love it here in Cebu—very laid-back, simple life, everything is near. I drive my kids to school, I do the grocery myself. Yung buhay na pinangarap ko, natupad lahat dito. Never akong nagdalawang isip. It was really my dream to have my own family.”
