GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines?Manny Pacquiao’s mother whooped it up at her son’s lavish, Las Vegas-style birthday bash in a shopping mall here Wednesday night, nearly stealing the show from the champion.
Dionisia Pacquiao put on her dancing shoes and sashayed on stage in a special dance number that stirred up more excitement than any other performance at the packed convention center of the KCC Mall of General Santos City.
For minutes, “Nanay Dionisia” enthralled the more than 1,000 guests as she swirled and twirled in a pink floral dress with a DI (dance instructor) in what looked like a well-rehearsed number.
Even President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo could be seen smiling, amused by the performance. The President, Pacquiao and other VIPs?including trainer Freddie Roach and Top Rank head Bob Arum?who were huddled around a table inside a ring-like platform heartily applauded her.
“Our upcoming star `Nanay Dionisia!’,” the emcee announced as Dionisia and the “Kapuso artists’ ‘? Jennilyn Mercado, Jasmine Villega, Teri Aunor, Rochelle Pangilinan, among others?were called back on stage after their performances.
Before her coming-out performance on Wednesday night, Dionisia did not appear to be the type to enjoy the limelight although she was often interviewed on TV before and after her son’s fights.
Several other artists, including Journey front man Arnel Pineda and novelty singer Max Surban, the King of Visayan Song, also did some entertainment numbers for the guests that included boxing champions David Diaz and Edwin Valero.
Songwriter Lito Camo, the composer of Pacquiao’s songs, coaxed the boxing hero into joining him and his band to sing his signature song “Para sa ‘Yo’ (For You).”
Most of the guests stood up from their seats to get a better view of the black-suited Pacquiao, who sang the hit song with gusto.
Arroyo, also wearing black, stayed for the entire three-and-a-half hours of the show that opened with a dance number by Las Vegas-style show girls.
Girls in bunny costumes ushered guests to their tables inside the convention center that was decked out like a Las Vegas gambling establishment with props like giant cards and dice, Christmas lights and casino tables.
Arroyo left at around 10:30 p.m. and could be seen grinning as she made her way to the exit. Outside, she was met by a thinning crowd of spectators that had gathered there for hours to get a glimpse of Pacquiao and his guests.
“Obviously, she enjoyed herself,” said Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, who sat with the President, Pacquiao, Arum, Roach and Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson at the presidential table.
After escorting the President to her car, Pacquiao was mobbed by men and women wanting to snap and pose for pictures with him on his way back to the convention hall.
As the crowd pressed on him, the boxing champion stood on a chair and whipped out a digital camera to take his own pictures.
