OFFICE work and the council session at Cebu City Hall came to standstill yesterday afternoon when Manny Pacquiao showed up for a courtesy call.
Employees went out of their offices to greet the country?s boxing icon, while the City Council went on a one-minute recess that was extended after members asked to have their photos taken with the boxing sensation.
In a brief speech before the Council, Pacquiao, who spoke mixed Tagalog and Cebuano, revealed his father was actually from Pinamungajan town while his mother was from Leyte. Pacquiao was born and raised in Gen. Santos City.
He thanked Cebuanos for the support he got during his fights, saying he always dedicated them for the country?s honor.
?Akong tagumpay dili sa ako-a para sa akong bansa. Karangalan kong ang watawat ay maiwagayway sa ibang bansa (My victory is not for myself but for my country. It is my honor to wave our flag in other countries),? he said.
In an interview, he said he already patched things up with former manager Rod Nazario, with whom he had a spat with allegedly over money.
Crowd control
?Wala nang problema. Nagkausap nga kami, nagkaintindihan na kami. Pero iba na ang manager ko eh (There?s no more problem. We?ve talked and understood each other. But I have a different manager now),? he said amid requests to have their photos taken with him.
He also expressed deep interest in having a rematch with any of the Mexican ring greats Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Miguel Marquez and Eric Morales.
No fight is scheduled yet in the near future, though, he said.
Yesterday, shortly after entering the session hall, a throng of City Hall workers gathered outside that the doors had to be locked to control the crowd.
Pacquiao came with his wife Jinkee and boxing promoter Wakee Salud in tow.
A recess was declared shortly after the singing of the national anthem so the councilors could greet and pose with Pacquiao, popularly known in boxing circles as Pacman.
Even the usually composed North District first Councilor Hilario Davide III asked that Pacquiao remove his shades.
?I?d like to see the eyes of the champion, Mr. chairman,? he said to the delight of those in the gallery.
Pacquiao was similarly mobbed when he went to see Mayor Tomas Osme?a, who went back to City Hall just to meet the country?s ring hero.
