EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MANNY PACQUIAO
Part 1
HOLLYWOOD—Manny Pacquiao, the ultimate multitasker, was having his dinner with 50 of his closest friends in his normal post workout food stop (Nat’s Thai Restaurant). I tried to have a word or two or three with the Pinoy Idol after his usual three hour (nonsparring) workout at Coach Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym but Pacman likes to do three or four things simultaneously.
So it came to pass that, after putting in his NBA game wagers on his cell phone and after he ordered his beef, rice, calamari and soup dinner, that I was able to broach several different topics with the world champion boxer and Congressional candidate from Sarangani Province.
As per usual, Pacman was beating someone up on the big TV screens in the tiny eatery.
It was kind of kooky, what with sitting directly across from Pacman while in the background we heard ring announcer Michael Buffer introducing him as the “pound for pound king of all boxing.”
Pacman supports presidential candidate Manny Villar and vice versa (Marhalikan Times Photo)
I was just glad no one named Mayweather was in there grabbing some pad Thai or a spring roll.
(The food is pretty darned good at Nat’s thanks to Tina, the chef and hostess with the mostest.)
I started off with politics given the fact his second electoral office foray begins 13 days after his march 13 title defense in Dallas against Joshua Clottey and the campaign will run until Election Day on May 10.
In light of his phenomenal popularity in homeland, where he is hailed as the Pambasang Kamao (National Fist), it’s been mentioned that someday when his ring career is over and done, Megamanny might be able to get elected as president of his beloved homeland.
Not interested, Pacman told me directly. His political ambitions only run as high as a Congressional seat.
“I don’t want to be the president,” Pacquiao said. “That is not my ambition. I would be happy just to be in the Congress. I feel if I can do that and help the people, that is enough.”
Pacman has billionaire Roy Chiongbian as deep-pocketed Congressional foe in Sarangani race which begins March 26 and culminates on May 10 (Philstar.com)
Besides his own campaign, Pacman is also playing a kingmaker’s role in the upcoming race to succeed the battered Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at Malacanang Palace.
Pacman is publicly backing the rising candidacy of Nacionalista Party leader Manuel Villar with who he seems to be quite sympatico.
The wealthy Vilar, who made his fortune in real estate, was once a Manila street urchin, living in abject poverty in Tondo, much like a young Manny did in GenSan.
The second of nine children, a young Villar helped his mother to sell fish in a street market. Today, Forbes labels him the ninth richest person in the Philippines. His company has sold 200,000 lower cost, mass produced homes.
Pacquiao is quite enthusiastic about Villar and how he might improve the lot of the common man, woman and child in the Philippines.
“We have talked a lot,” Pacquiao said. “We talk about how to help the people. I told him I wanted to help him and I wish that, if he wins the presidency, that all the people can have a decent home and a decent job.”
Pacman’s backing had an immediate effect, the fighter told me.
“When I endorsed him, he went up in all the polls,” Pacquiao said.
Pacman, who is constantly expanding his business interests, believes he can be a dutiful Congressman and keep juggling all his other interests including being an active fighter.
“Being in our Congress, it is not like being a mayor or a governor. It’s a job you have to work on 24 hours a day, nothing like that.”
Pacman’s formidable challenger in Sarangani is Roy Chiongbian, scion of a family business and poltical dynasty.
Just like he is before every bout, Pacquiao is not overconfident.
Why, I asked, will Chiongbian possibly be a tougher foe at the polls than Clottey might be in the ring?
Pacman smiled and showed he clearly understands both the American and Pinoy political systems.
“Because he is a billionaire.”
Manny Pacquiao knows the golden rule of politics.
If you’ve got enough gold, you can rule.
