WASHINGTON D.C. ? For all the thrill of victories in the ring and worldwide adulation, nothing could compare to a knockout five-minute visit to the Oval Office with the world?s most powerful man.
?It was an experience of a lifetime. I?ll cherish this for the rest of my life,? said Manny Pacquiao moments after leaving the US capital Tuesday following a five-minute meeting with US President Barack Obama.
Pacquiao, a congressman back home, paid Obama a visit at the White House Tuesday, and the world?s greatest boxer came out grinning from ear to ear.
Pacquiao?s wife, Jinkee, said she got so nervous the moment she saw President Obama standing right in front of him.
?But it?s a wonderful experience. I can?t believe my eyes,? said Jinkee.
?Before, Manny and I were only dreaming of getting to the United States. And here we are now, visiting the White House. To meet the President. I thank God for this opportunity,? she said.
Pacquiao said the meeting took place at the Oval Office, and during his conversation with the President they were both standing. The First Lady, Michelle Obama, was not around.
Pacquiao told scribes how the meeting went on.
Pacquiao said the first thing Obama asked him was what he was doing in Washington, the nation?s capital.
?So, what brought you here to Washington,? Pacquiao remembered the President as asking him.
?I?m here for the press tour of my May 7 fight,? he answered.
Then the 32-year-old congressman from Sarangani, for whatever it?s worth, said he invited the President to watch the fight live at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
?I will watch the fight on pay-per-view,? was the President?s answer.
Pacquiao said he also told Obama he knew of the latter?s love to play basketball, which is his own liking as well.
?Yes, I love basketball. But I also love boxing,? said Pacquiao as he tried to recall every word the President told him.
In fact, Obama told Pacquiao that he had another visitor coming in, a member of the Boston Celtics.
?Oh, I?m a Boston fan,? Pacquiao replied even as he forgot the name of the Celtics player that was to see Obama after him.
Pacquiao said he couldn?t believe what the President told him next.
?Someday I would like to visit the Philippines and I hope to see you there,? the President said.
?That will be nice,? said Pacquiao, adding that if and when that happens he?d make sure that the US President will have a memorable visit.
?I?m so happy,? said Pacquiao. As Pacquiao crossed the street, on foot, to the White House, he caught the attention of some passersby, who started taking pictures of him. There was confusion on the road that four cars figured in a minor accident.
Only the Pacquiaos were allowed into the Oval Office. Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank opted to stay out of the meeting because he didn?t want it to appear that the President was promoting the fight.
?The President cannot be seen doing that,? said Arum, the ageless wonder of boxing promotions.
?I heard that you got elected congressman in your country,? the President also told Pacquiao.
Obama and Pacquiao posed for a few photographs, and they even posed like boxers. It was not clear yet whether the White House had plans to having the pictures publicized.
As the meeting was about to end, the Pacquiao received from Obama M&M candies bearing the Presidential seal ? three grocery bags of them ? and a watch, also with the Presidential seal.
?I?m glad that you?re here and I would love to visit you in the Philippines,? Pacquiao again recalled the President as saying.
Prior to the meeting with the President, Pacquiao had a chance to meet US Senate Majority Floor Leader Harry Reid at his office at the Capitol Building in the morning.
Pacquiao, who helped campaign for Reid in Nevada during the last elections, was given a tour of the Senate.
Then they faced a select group of mediamen.
The first question was pointed at the U.S. Senator.
?How long do you think you would last against Pacquiao inside the ring?? was the opening question.
?Maybe five seconds or long enough for me to walk to the middle of the ring,? said Reid, drawing laughter inside the room adorned with the American flag.
The Senator talked briefly about the sacrifices made by American and Filipino soldiers together during World War II, and that he admired Pacquiao both in the boxing ring and the political ring.
Pacquiao took the podium and spoke briefly as well. He thanked the Senator, the third most powerful politician in the United States, for the warm welcome.
Then after just a little over five minutes they exchanged flags, and left the room.
Pacquiao, again, was all smiles, gearing up for one of the biggest moments of his life ? the meeting with the President.
