WHAT is a son to do but help his family?
Bacolod City’s newly adopted son, International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight champion Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, has promised to share his blessings with Bacolodnons.
In a media interview during the 67th Charter Day celebration of the city Wednesday morning, Pacquiao said he will help the boxers of Bacolod City.
He said he will confer with Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the boxing associations on how to go about it so that Bacolod can once again produce pugilists in the caliber of Pancho Villa, Leopoldo Serrantes and Onyok Velasco.
Bacolod City hosts the boxing event of the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Nov. 27, 2005 to Dec. 5, 2005.
In a speech, Pacquiao asked Bacole?os to pray for him when he goes back to the ring for a rematch with Eric Morales of Mexico in Las Vegas on January 21 next year. This early, he is preparing for the fight, he said.
Pacquiao, who is from General Santos City in Mindanao, said he now considers himself a Bacole?o. “I’m happy and proud as the new adopted son of Bacolod City. I will never forget this,” he said.
People applauded him when he entered and left the Bays Center.
The boxing champ extended his gratitude to the City of Bacolod through Leonardia and Bacolod Representative Monico Puentevella. (RRM/RLB)
