HIMAMAYLAN City resident Herminio Aurelio is a diehard fan of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.
But unlike the rest, Aurelio is no ordinary fan.
He is a sculptor who did a life-size Pacman statue which he would want the world featherweight champ to have — on the condition that Pacquiao himself goes to Himamaylan City to pick up the statue himself.
Himamaylan City first gentleman and Negros Basketball Association (NBA) president Oscar “Dodong” Bascon said he has been hoping for an opportunity where Pacquiao will be able to come to Himamaylan City to see for himself the Aurelio sculpture.
He is hoping that Pacquiao will like it and get it personally.
“I have received reliable information that Pacquiao is expected to be in town sometime this week. If that happens, I hope I will be able to convince Manny’s handlers or people close to him like Mayor Bing Leonardia to ask him to visit Himamaylan and see the piece done by Aurelio,” Bascon told Sun Star Bacolod yesterday.
Bascon also confirmed that the Himamaylan City marathon team is now completing the preparations for its stint in the July 23 provincial qualifying race of the 2006 National Milo Marathon.
“Our runners are always focused on their training and I feel that barring any unforeseen circumstances we will be doing well in this year’s Milo competition,” Bascon said.
He credits Himamaylan City coach Hernani Bolivar and trainer Rodolfo Rizalde, a former national champion of the prestigious Milo event, for the success of the Himamaylan City athletics program.
“You have to give it to the tandem of Bolivar and Rizalde who have worked hand-in-hand through the years in implementing a realistic and workable athletics program in Himamaylan City. This program has already started to bear fruit with the honors our runners have been reaping,” Bascon reiterated.
