HOLLYWOOD?If you don?t catch her trying to hex Manny Pacquiao?s opponents, chances are it is because the Pac-Mom is taking a different spiritual tack as her son prepares to fight undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr on May 2 in Las Vegas.
?Ang prayer tahimik lang (Prayer is silent),? Dionisia Pacquiao, popularly known as Mommy D, told reporters who interviewed her Monday afternoon here after having lunch at a Thai restaurant near the Wild Card Boxing Gym.
Mommy D went viral on the Internet during Pacquiao?s rematch against Timothy Bradley last year when she was caught on camera looking as if she was casting a spell on the previously undefeated American, who beat Pacquiao in controversial fashion in their first meeting.
Social media erupted with photos, video clips and vines of Mommy D reciting a prayer and pointing at Bradley during the fight.
READ: Mommy Dionisia explains ?vodoo? act vs Bradley
But so much has changed since then for the 65-year-old Pac-Mom.
Whereas before, she would limit herself to watching replays of her son?s fights because she couldn?t bear to watch him getting hit, she is now raring to be at ringside when Pacquiao takes on the brash Mayweather in what is billed as the Fight of the Century.
?Nanibago pa ako noon,? said Pacquiao?s mom on watching her son fight live. ?Wala pa akong napanood na laban nya na personal. [Now], masaya ako na ang anak ko manalo live. (I was not used to watching his fight. Before that, I had not seen him fight. Now I?m happy to watch him win live).
READ: ?Mommy D? not nervous ahead of Pacquiao-Mayweather fight
The ballroom dance enthusiast also seems fairly comfortable with her newfound fame, giving interviews unflinchingly and, like a true star, politely deflecting requests for interviews or photographs because she has to eat first.
?Mamaya na lang pagkatapos kumain,? she told a man who asked her to pose for a shot.
READ: ?Mommy D? makes heads turn as she arrives at Wild Card
She even has her own mini-entourage whose members shield her from overzealous Pacquiao fans who want a photograph with her.
Asked how she feels now that she has so many fans now, she casually replied: ?Noon pa yan.(I?m used to that)?
But while she may ditch the hexing act at ringside, it doesn?t mean she won?t have any spiritual rituals as her son prepares for what could be the fight of his career.
?Mga santo, dala ko, larawan ng birhen,? she said. ?Kasi ang mama Mary ang nag-gabay sa akin. (I brought the images of saints and the Virgin. You see, Mother May had been my guide.)?
And while she won?t be pointing fingers and muttering prayers at the direction of Floyd, she may just pull out something with a little more, well, fire?literally.
?May daladala akong kandila para sa actual at malapit na laban,? said Mommy D. (I brought along candles to light before and during the actual fight.)
Imagine if she gets to light those candles at ringside.
