MANILA, Philippines — Playing Manny Pacquiao’s love interest in his new movie is sexy actress Ara Mina, who was romantically linked to the boxer a couple of months before his Las Vegas bout against Mexican boxer Marco Antonio Barrera. Both Pacquiao and the actress denied the rumors.
The rumors and being a communist rebel in a movie notwithstanding, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said that Pacquiao is an “inspiration” to the Armed Forces.
“The fight was dubbed ‘Will to Win.’ If that motto sticks to every soldier, for that alone, (Pacquiao) deserves the promotion,” Esperon said.
So, the Philippine Army on Thursday promoted reservist Pacquiao from technical sergeant to master sergeant for bringing honor not only to the Armed Forces of the Philippines but to the entire country for beating Barrera.
Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Army spokesperson, said the promotion took effect Oct. 7, the day Pacquiao scored a unanimous decision over Barrera in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao was enlisted into the Army reserve force in April last year.
Esperon said the promotion was the prerogative of the Army chief, Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, but said it was well-deserved.
It does not even matter if Pacquiao plays a communist rebel in his upcoming movie “Anak ng Kumander,” Esperon said.
“Let’s separate the movies from real life,” he explained, adding that Pacquiao is simply acting in a film.
Esperon said he found it interesting that Pacquiao, who arrived today from the United States, would be portraying such a role in the movie.
“But that’s the fact of being in show biz. Sometimes, you are a good person but you’re given an ugly role,” Esperon said.
Pacquiao himself is producing the movie which will be released as a Manila Film Festival entry in December.
