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Philippines, 23 Apr 2024 |
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Covering PacMan: A ride of a lifetime (PHOTOS) By Homer D. Sayson PhilBoxing.com Fri, 25 Jan 2019  LOS ANGELES -- Beginning with the Clippers versus Hornets game last January 8 at the Staples Center where Filipino Heritage Night, I've been chasing Manny Pacquiao like a disgruntled lover and determined stalker rolled into one. And, oh boy, what a fun and exhausting ride it was. After shadowing Pacquiao for an extended period of time, I now have an understanding of what it must be like to follow the Pope in his travels or the Rolling Stones on their tour. The common denominator is the mass gathering of people showing their unbridled affection. When Pacquiao was at Staples Center, for instance, people yelled at him not just because he was throwing free t-shirts. They were vocalizing their adulation and many begged to be rewarded with autographs or selfies. He obliged but couldn't accommodate everybody. 
Manny Pacquiao throws shirts during the Los Angeles Clippers Filipino Heritage night on Jan. 8 where the Clippers played the Charlotte Hornets. A day later, at Media Day, the fighting Senator held court at the Wild Card gym. With PacMan back in the premises, Freddie Roach's sweat shop suddenly got more foot traffic than the local LTO office. Without Pacquiao for the past two years, Wild Card was a place where excitement went to die. Reporters from around the world converged to see the Filipino legend, the sport's only eight-division champ, and he gave them plenty of material, showing off his ripped bod while working the mitts in a magnificent demonstration of speed and quickness at age 40. 
Pacquiao being interviewed during his media day in Los Angeles Jan. 9. More importantly, Pacquiao showed the depth of his wisdom in answering uneasy questions about his life and politics. WHILE IN L.A. I did visit his house at Hancock Park, a mini palace not far from Paramount Pictures' studios. The massive domain sits on the tail end of the block leading to Beverly avenue and it was teeming with people --- friends, employees, hangers-on. Pacquiao's army of chefs couldn't handle the crowd of hungry souls looking for a free meal so catered food was provided as well. I was supposed to be on diet, allegedly on the way to healthy living, but when I smelled the kare-kare and the beef steak, I ate like a famished Abu Sayyaf on the run from justice for a few adventurous days. 
The author at the Pacquiao-Broner media room. I took a break for a few days in Chicago before heading to the fight in Las Vegas, where the party got started. Despite being away from U.S. soil in two years, the might of Pacquiao's economic power remains sky-high in Sin City. He filled the MGM Grand Garden Arena with 13,025 screaming fans and in his 12-round demolition of Adrien Broner, Pacquiao sold 400,000 pay-per-view units at $70 each. During a lull in the coverage, I spent some bonding time with Daniel Guden of SunStar Super Balita who covers the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA for PhilBoxing. Dodong Guden and I were seen together too often at fight week that many of our mutual friends began to suspect we were dating. Of course, we're not. Our boss -- DONG SECUYA -- who runs and owns PhilBoxing was also in Vegas for this one and being around him for those days was a goose bumps moments. Thanks Boss Dong for gracing the occasion with your illustrious presence. While having breakfast on the day of the fight, I met with former Cebuano basketball start Rey Yncierto. He looked long in the tooth, like me, but Rey also looked like he can still hoop. 
Lechon Kawali isn't supposed to be good early in the morning. Heck, it's never good any time unless you want a clogged artery, but I allowed myself a plate because Rey was paying and I was in the mood. Let me say this, though. The food ---- buwad included --- was great, bit the company was the best. After the one-sided fight, I went to LA to chronicle some more of Pacquiao's travels and it was a blast. Thanks for the memories, Manny!! 
The author (L) poses with Pacquiao's media relations officers Aquiles Zonio (C). SPECIAL THANKS to Aquiles Zonio, Senator Pacquiao's media relations officer without whose blessings I wouldn't have been able to cover Pacquiao with such unfettered access. Mabuhay ka, Aqui! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.  |
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