GENERAL SANTOS CITY ? It was the biggest birthday blowout ever this South Cotabato city ever saw. Manny Pacquiao turned 30 last Wednesday and treated 2,000 well-wishers to a smorgasbord of food and drinks at the KCC Mall and at least 5,000 more who couldn?t be accommodated in the convention hall at the nearby Oval Plaza.
The estimate was Pacquiao spent at least P5 Million for the bash. That?s not including what he paid for foreign guests to fly over. The KCC Mall affair was strictly formal, Las Vegas-style. Guests came dressed to the nines, males mostly in suits and females in gowns. Pacquiao himself was in a dark business suit and looked dapper.
President Arroyo came at 7 p.m. and the word was she would stay only an hour. But after dinner, the Chief Executive decided to enjoy the stage show that featured singers and comedians.
San Miguel Pale Pilsen was on the house ? as was everything else ? and you could ask for it endlessly. There were sushi and sashimi stations with Japanese-style chefs slicing up fresh chunks of tuna. There were coffee and latte booths. There were lots of buffet tables so queuing was not a problem. The food was sumptuous ? limitless supply of lechon baka, lechon baboy, pork cutlets, fish, prawns thermidore, baby-back ribs, pasta and many more dishes. Someone said cooks prepared six roasted calves and 26 roasted pigs for the party. For ambiance, there were slot machines and poker tables.
Red and white wine flowed. Whatever the guests asked for, the army of waiters graciously delivered. Pacquiao made sure his guests were treated royally, like he is whenever he checks in at a Las Vegas hotel. Pacquiao wanted his guests to experience a taste of Las Vegas lifestyle.
Among the guests were POC chairman Rep. Monico Puentevella, Secretary Lito Atienza and son Ali, former Gov. Chavit Singson, Mayor Pedro Acharon, Mayor Bing Leonardia, Gen. Alexander Yano, Bob Arum, Freddie Roach, Solar chairman William Tieng, Solar president Wilson Tieng, Solar chief operating officer Peter Chanliong, Solar events manager Rico Arce, GAB boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz, Accel president Willie Ortiz, Nike?s Tony Atayde, Smart Sports? Patrick Gregorio, Rob Peters, Michael Koncz, Jeff de Guzman, Reli de Leon, Wakee Salud, Bernard Cloma, Eddie Gutierrez, Annabelle Rama, Steve Thieras, Chris Aquino, Jesse Abrea, Leonel Lazarito, Harry Ta?amor, former WBC lightweight champion David Diaz, WBA superfeatherweight titlist Edwin Valero, Rafael Garcia Jr. and Atlanta Olympic silver medalist Onyok Velasco.
Pacquiao?s wife Jinkee was in Los Angeles awaiting the birth of her fourth child, a girl to be named Queen Elizabeth. She called Pacquiao long distance over a loud speaker to wish him a happy birthday. They will be reunited when Pacquiao leaves for Los Angeles on Dec. 23 with children Jemuel, Michael and Princess.
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To keep within the Las Vegas theme, party organizers produced giant playing cards with Pacquiao?s face as the Joker, the King and the Ace. They were displayed on stage.
The presidential table was mounted on an elevated stage inside a makeshift ring. Dining at the table were President Arroyo, Pacquiao, Secretary Atienza, Gov. Singson, Arum, Roach and Pacquiao?s parents Rosalio and Dionisia.
Videos were shown on huge screen monitors with Pacquiao?s children wishing him a happy birthday, expressing congratulations for beating Oscar de la Hoya and saying they miss their daddy. Family photos of happy poses were also shown on the screens. Two particularly touching photos were of Pacquiao kissing Jinkee and Pacquiao in the family swimming pool with his kids. There was a video of Pacquiao?s Lola Cristina greeting him on his birthday.
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Marco Antonio Barrera was invited by Pacquiao to attend his party but when he asked to bring along an entourage of seven, Los Angeles coordinator Jeff de Guzman said forget it.
De Guzman, who is a licensed physical and respiratory therapist, arranged the plane tickets for Diaz and Valero instead. Valero and companion Rafael Garcia Jr., his interpreter, missed their flight last Monday and arrived early last Wednesday. Diaz came in as scheduled the day before.
Garcia Jr., 48, is a massage therapist who has worked in Valeros?s camp for his last two fights. His father Rafael Sr., 80, is a well-known trainer and cutman who has cornered for the likes of Alexis Arguello, Roberto Duran, Vito Antuofermo, Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather.
?Barrera ended up regretting not coming,? said De Guzman. ?Barrera and Valero are compadres. Valero kept texting Barrera how wonderful the trip is turning out so you can imagine how Barrera felt.?
Diaz said he never expected to be mobbed by Filipino fans.
?I?ve never experienced this kind of treatment, not even in my own home,? said Diaz. ?I love the Philippines.?
Valero chimed in, ?I didn?t get this reception when I went home to Venezuela after winning the world title.?
Smart Sports? Patrick Gregorio plans to bring David and Valero to the PLDT-Smart Christmas party for 4,400 employees at the World Trade Center tonight.
David and Valero had never met before coming to Manila. Now, there?s talk that somewhere down the road, they could end up facing off in a showdown.
