Paalam's early life was marked by hardship. He sold newspapers, cigarettes, and vegetables to support his family. His first amateur fight at age seven earned him enough money to buy rice for his family. "Boxing was a bigger deal than trading on the street," he said.

Career Milestones

Paalam joined the Philippine Navy as an apprentice seaman in 2021, fulfilling his dream of becoming a soldier. He is part of the Philippine Navy and the Cagayan de Oro Amateur Boxing Team. His coaches include Ronald Chavez (national) and Elmer Pamisa (personal).

Awards and Achievements

In 2023, Paalam received the Major Award for Boxing from the Philippine Sportswriters Association. His career highlights include winning silver in the flyweight category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and gold in the bantamweight class at the 2022 Asian Championships in Amman, Jordan.

Recent Successes

After claiming gold at the 2023 South East Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Paalam moved back to flyweight. His focus is now on competing in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. "I feel comfortable in the 54kg category [bantamweight], but my focus is on bringing my weight under 51kg for the Olympics," he said.

Influences and Ambitions

Paalam cites Filipino politician Oscar Moreno as the most influential person in his career. Looking ahead, his primary goal is to win gold at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Personal Life

Paalam resides in Cagayan de Oro with his wife Earlshane Padilla and their child, born in 2023. He is fluent in English and Filipino.

Paalam's journey from selling newspapers to aiming for Olympic gold is a testament to his dedication and hard work. As he prepares for Paris 2024, all eyes will be on this talented boxer from Cagayan de Oro.