GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Manny Pacquiao took his usual 7.5-kilometer morning jog in this city at the oval plaza in the heart of old Dadiangas on Saturday, shaking hands or simply waving before an ever-growing crowd of neighbors on the eve of Mother’s Day.
He was supposed to leave for the United States to begin his training, but decided to stay a day longer to mark the birthday of beloved mom Dionisia or “Nene,” who turns 56 when her son leaves for Manila Monday en route to Los Angeles at 10 p.m. via Philippine Airlines Flight 102.
Prior to his departure Monday, Pacquiao meets his well-wishers at the lobby of Discovery Suites in Ortigas, Pasig, official residence of both his party and that of Oscar Larios.
“I am very happy to see my son train and jog daily, because he gets to be seen by his townmates who love him dearly,” said Nanay Nene.
The entire Pacquiao household—mom Dionisia; Isidra, a housewife and the eldest of the siblings; Bobby, a boxer; and Rogel, president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, which will promote the coming Pacquiao versus Larios on Sunday, July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum—is wishing him well.
“My only wish is a simple prayer, that Manny comes home safe and is victorious on his next bout,” said Nanay Nene. “He’s been a very dutiful son and I am very proud of him.”
“PacMan” was born in Bukidnon in Central Mindanao before the family moved to GenSan, where he now lives in a well furnished home in Barangay Labangal with his wife Jinkee and sons Emmanuel Jr. and Michael.
Pacquiao’s entourage to the United States is still unknown.
“The Destroyer” is the reigning World Boxing Council international super featherweight king, Ring Magazine’s “People’s Champion,” a former International Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion, and a former WBC flyweight champion.
He has a record of 41 wins, three losses and two draws with 34 victories by way of knockout.
