Manny Pacquiao uses his fists to fight boxers. Now, he?s been given ?wings? to lead the environmental fight?symbolic wings, that is.
Pacquiao, the former world champion, was announced an ally of environment protection in his visit yesterday to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City.
Pacquiao?s new link to nature was approved by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, who pinned an insignia of the Philippine Eagle on the boxer, who was accompanied to the Quezon City office minutes after he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Los Angeles.
Pacquiao said he has adopted a new trademark.
?Dalawa ang pinagpipilian ko, ?yong kamao at itong Philippine Eagle. Ang pinili ko itong Philippine Eagle kasi kailangang-kailangan nating proteksyonan ito dahil endangered species na ito,? Pacquiao said.
His visit to the DENR raised eyebrows after he declined reportedly to lead a motorcade proposed to him by the Manila City government and Mayor Alfredo Lim.
Pacquiao said he was only made aware of the plan when he touched down at the airport.
?I have not received any call or invitation about it. It is not for me to call them and ask them to arrange a party and motorcade for me when I return,? Pacquiao said, adding that, if he is given another opportunity by Lim, Pacquiao, an adopted son of Manila, may still heed the mayor?s courtesy call.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao?s feathers have been roused by a Venezuelan champion?s challenge that he may actually accept it.
Edwin Valero, the World Boxing Association junior-lightweight champion, has been vocal about his willingness to take on Pacquiao, and has repeatedly asserted that the Filipino wouldn?t stand a chance.
Like Pacquiao, Valero is a southpaw and a slugger. He is unbeaten in 22 fights, all of them coming via short route.
Pacquiao welcomed Valero?s defiance.
?Parang na-challenge ako na si Valero daw ang tatalo sa akin, kaya gusto kong subukan kung talagang tatalunin nga niya ako,? Pacquiao said.
Radio reports claimed that a Pacquiao-Valero match has been penciled for February in Vancouver.
Besides Valero, World Boxing Council junior-lightweight king Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico and WBC lightweight champion David Diaz of the US have been prominently mentioned as Pacquiao?s next foe.
