MANILA, Philippines – The fans chanted WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao?s name as he made his way to a front row lower grandstand seat beside wife Jinkee late in the first half of the Azkals football match against the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last Saturday night.
With the Pacquiaos were their four children ? Jimuel, Michael, Princess and Queenie. At the half, several personalities came up to Pacquiao to greet him and take photos. Beauty brand executive Cristalle Belo Henares, actress Dawn Zulueta and Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Monico Puentevella were among those who welcomed the Pacquiaos. Also in the VIP section was Galaxy president of business operations Tom Payne who is credited for arranging the team?s previous visits to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Korea.
If there was any doubt as to whether Pacquiao had lost some of his crowd appeal after a close win over Juan Manuel Marquez recently, there is none now. Make no mistake about it, Pacquiao still rules as the country?s most revered athlete. The fans chanted, ?Manny, Manny? and mobbed the fighting congressman from Sarangani wherever he went. And Galaxy star David Beckham joined the bandwagon as he went up to Pacquiao after leaving the pitch on a substitution in the 75th minute to shake hands and give the champion his game-worn No. 23 jersey. Beckham, who is English like one of the fighter?s victims Ricky Hatton, was obviously star-struck by Pacquiao?s presence and later admitted he?s a huge fan.
Pacquiao?s appearance with Jinkee and their children dispelled rumors that the marriage is on the rocks. They enjoyed the match and the family bonding time. Queenie sat on Pacquiao?s lap when she wasn?t running around while the boys tooted on plastic horns to cheer for the Azkals. Jinkee took Beckham?s jersey and was all smiles as she held it up for photographers.
Azkals striker Angel Guirado settled for Galaxy star Landon Donovan?s game-worn No. 10 uniform.
