BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Bacolod City government will hold a Thanksgiving Mass and a free concert on Monday as part of the National Day of Celebration declared by Malaca?ang in honor of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.
The Thanksgiving Mass will be held at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City at 5 p.m., according to Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, a close friend of the boxing champion and godfather of Pacquiao’s daughter Mary Divine Grace.
The Bacolod City Band will hold a free concert at the public plaza right after the Mass, the mayor said.
Leonardia issued a memorandum last Friday urging all city government employees to attend the Mass.
Tarpaulins were also installed in strategic areas of the city announcing the city government’s support in honoring the boxing icon.
Pacquiao is an adopted son of Bacolod City.
Leonardia, who has been dubbed as “Pacman’s lucky charm” by the Los Angeles-based Asian Journal, has not missed the fights of Pacquiao here and abroad and has carried the boxing icon’s championship belts in his fights against Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum in July 2005, Erik Morales in Las Vegas in November 2006, Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas in October 2007, Oscar de la Hoya in December 2008 and Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas only last week.
