Boxer Manny Pacquiao arrived from Cebu yesterday afternoon on board a private plane, and in just a few hours became the newest member of the GMA-7 family.
“He’s now a Kapuso,” said his associate Wakee Salud who arrived with Pacquiao at 4 p.m. on board a private plane loaned to the boxer by his friend Luis “Chavit” Singson.
From the airport, Pacquiao was brought straight to the GMA-7 headquarters in Quezon City where he met station officials and signed an exclusive talent contract.
The amount of the contract, according to GMA-7 publicity manager Ramir Orteza cannot be divulged. But it should be in the millions considering the stature of the boxer.
“Some of the details will be finalized after his coming fight. But he’s now a member of the GMA-7 family. He will do future projects with the station,” said Orteza.
Pacquiao’s Oct. 6 fight with Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas will be carried by GMA-7 on free TV.
Pacquiao worked out in Cebu in the morning, and boarded the plane with Salud and his business manager Erik Pineda. A TV guesting is on tap today, and the boxer flies back to Cebu in the afternoon.
During his workout, Pacquiao was cheered on by 43 school kids from Cebu. The kids joined him on the ring, and even sang Pacquiao’s hit “Para Sa’yo Ang Labang Ito.”
This made Pacquiao very happy, according to his chief-of-staff Jake Joson who stayed on in Cebu to join Freddie Roach in a short trip to Bohol today upon the invitation of Tagbilaran Mayor Neri Lim.
Roach said Pacquiao’s training will go a notch higher starting tomorrow with the Pinoy champ sparring for 10 to 12 rounds. In three weeks, they’ve logged close to 50 rounds of sparring.
Roach also said starting tomorrow, the gym will be totally off-limits to fans, saying there’s no need to get a pass because none will be issued anymore.
