Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao and his brother Bobby today went to a school in General Santos City to take a special exam that would allow them to get the equivalent of high school units of educational attainment.
Both Pacquiaos only finished elementary grades, they admit, due to extreme poverty when they were still growing up–a fact they have not forgotten now despite owning million dollar bank accounts from their boxing earnings.
At the Department of Education Testing Center, the fighting brothers took the High School Equivalency Test for six hours, a process Manny called ‘very, very tiring.’
The brothers were administered exams in English, Filipino, Social Studies, Mathematics and Science.
“He was very determined to pass, just as he is very determined to win in his fights. He had read the questions very religiously, and answered them well,” said a DepEd official when interviewed by the media.
The examinations started at 1PM and ended at 6:30 PM, a process described by Pacquiao as more tiring that his trilogy with Erik Morales.
PACQUIAO CONFIRMS FIGHT WITH CHI IS OFF
Also yesterday, Pacquiao confirmed to ABS-CBN news that came out today that his April 28 fight with Korean In Jin Chi will not push through in Macau, but instead, a new fight on April 21 will take place in Texas, USA.
“I don’t know who will be my opponent, it’s Bob Arum who’s taking care of that,” Pacquiao stressed.
Rex ‘Wakee’ Salud, Pacquiao’s associate, said a South African foe is being shortlisted as Pacquiao’s opponent, although he refused to name the SA fighter saying Arum would announce it soon.
GORRES, BAUTISTA ARRIVE IN CEBU TODAY
In prime shape and ready to wage war, Z ‘The Dream’ Gorres and Rey ‘Boom Boom’ Bautista breeze into town today as they arrive on a Philippine Airlines flight at 4PM ready to resume their training for the big February 24 ‘Moment of Truth’ card at the Cebu City Sports Complex.
Bautista and Gorres will be accompanied by their manager Michael Aldeguer and trainer Edito Villamor. Chief benefactor Antonio L. Aldeguer arrived in Cebu yesterday ahead of the group.
The two fighters will be working out at the famed ALA Gym as they taper off for their respective assignments.
“They have had a fantastic training at the Wild Card Gym. They are both ready,” said trainer Villamor, who confirmed his mentor Freddie Roach is arriving in Cebu on February 17.
Gorres will challenge WBO superfly king Fernando Montiel in the main event, while Bautista goes up against Colombian Feider Viloria in the co-featured 12-rounder.
Promoter Sammy ‘Don King’ Gello-ani, meanwhile, informed yesterday that they will hold public workouts for the fighters at the Fight Club. Date of the public workouts will be announced soon.
The rest of the fighters seeing action in the card are Jimrex ‘The Executioner’ Jaca, Alex John Banal, Bert Batawang, Milan Milendo, Joseph Omanz, Juan Martin Elorde and Weng Haya.
