GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – The people of General Santos City are busy getting ready for the fight dubbed “The Event” on Sunday between the People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao and Ghanaian challenger Joshua Clottey in Dallas, Texas.
Private individuals and businesses have set up their generator sets to make sure rotating blackouts will not interrupt their viewing.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has also assured the local government the supply of electricity in the area, where the General Santos City gym is located, will not be cut.
Hundreds of Pacquiao fans are expected to troop to the gym. Free tickets have already been distributed by local officals.
Meanwhile, Manny Pacquiao’s parents are also busy preparing for the fight.
After visiting her dermatologist on Friday, Pacquiao’s mother, popularly known as Mommy Dionisia, went to the salon Saturday afternoon.
The Pac-Mom says she chose not to go to the US to watch her son because of her belief that she must stay in her newly built mansion for a month before traveling elsewhere.
“Sa akin lang yun na paniniwala, mag one month pa ako, pagkatapos niyan, pwede na ako magbyahe,” she says.
And as always, Mommy Dionisia says she would again kneel before the statue of the virgin Mary and pray the rosary during the fight.
“Hindi naman talaga ako nanonood, pagkatapos ng laban na lang. Sa mansion ako, sa bahay ni Manny. Pagkatapos ng Simba, diretso ako sa bahay niya, dun ako mag-pray,” she says.
(“I don’t really watch the fight. I’ll watch it after. I’ll be in Manny’s mansion, and then I’ll go to church to pray, then I’ll go back to his house.”)
The Pacman’s father, Mang Rosalio, will also stay in the country for health reasons
“Wala ko niuban kay naa koy pamati sa akong lawas (“Di ako sumama sa Texas kasi may nararamdaman akong iba sa katawan ko. Masama ang pakiramdam ko.),” he says.
(“I did not go to Texas because some parts of my body are aching. I don’t feel well.”)
From a father to his son, Mang Rosalio advises Manny not to be over-confident, and that he should trust God before he steps into the ring.
