MANILA, Philippines ? The invitation called for an ?intimate and exclusive? dinner with Manny Pacquiao.
And so more than 300 came and packed the ballroom of The Renaissance Hotel to toast the world?s greatest fighter in what turned out to be a star-studded affair Thursday evening.
Some of the big names in show business graced the affair, along with the top officials of Pacquiao?s official media partners, Solar Sports and GMA-7, their clients and advertisers as well.
The affair was scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. By that time, guests, food and drinks flowed, but the boxer, who was not feeling well, was just about to leave Gen. Santos City for Manila.
Pacquiao missed the 7 a.m. flight from GenSan and did not board the 3 p.m. flight. Chavit Singson, the boxer?s close friend, sent his private plane to pick up the boxer and his entourage.
It was 10 p.m. when he finally showed up, cutting short a bouncy number being played by one of two bands on tap for the evening, along with Sex Bomb Rachel Pangilinan and R&B singer Jay-R.
Pacquiao, in a trendy outfit and his favorite newsboy?s hat, acknowledged the crowd and apologized for his being late. Then he got going, belting out three songs before begging off.
?He?s a heavyweight in our hearts,? was how GMA-7 Felipe Gozon toasted Pacquiao, raising a glass of wine. Afterwards, Solar and GMA-7 officials were signing a new contract with Pacquiao.
Everybody wanted to take pictures and autographs with Pacquiao. Organizers called them by groups. For more than an hour, Pacquiao, cheerful as usual, looked like he was there launching a book.
Pacquiao was so busy mingling with his fans even close to midnight, and efforts to get close to him just for a few questions was just impossible.
The boxer?s Canadian adviser, Mike Koncz, fielded the questions for him.
Koncz said Pacquiao has agreed to return to the ring on Oct. 17 or more than five months after his two-round destruction of British star Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas.
He said Pacquiao was originally offered Oct. 3 but the boxer said he didn?t want to fight so early in October, and so he asked for a subsequent date from his promoter Bob Arum.
Koncz said the name of the opponent and the fight venue are still up for discussion although he said there?s nothing concrete as Pacquiao continues to take things easy.
?Well, he?s still trying to enjoy his victory. Unfortunately his time is so consumed I don?t think he?s been able to comprehend what he?s achieved or enjoy it,? said Koncz.
Pacquiao, however, is booked for a trip to Australia with his family on June 1-6. Then on June 7 they?ll be in Los Angeles, and on the 12th in New York for the Boxing Writers Association of America Awards Night.
The day after the awards Pacquiao will be at the Madison Square Garden to watch the Miguel Cotto-Joshua Clottey welterweight match, and probably look at his chances against the dangerous Cotto.
