CEBU - Manny Pacquiao, the undisputed king of the boxing world, already has a “Princess.” Now his excitement is beyond measure as he awaits the coming of his “Queen.”
During a television talkshow yesterday, Pacquiao gladly announced the name of his second daughter with wife Jinkee, who is expecting their fourth child late this month.
“We will name her Queen Elizabeth,” said Pacquiao, his eyes sparkling and brimming with pride, during a guest appearance at SIS, GMA-7’s top-rated talkshow hosted by Carmina Villaroel and sisters Gelli and Janice de Belen.
After the arrival of Jimuel and Michael, Pacquiao had long wanted to have a baby girl. His prayers were answered two years ago when Jinkee gave birth to Mary Divine Grace, whom they nicknamed “Princess.”
“Sinabihan ko na ang pamilya ko na dapat masanay na sila kasi marami pa silang magkakapatid,” said Pacquiao in slight jest on his intent of having more children.
Pacquiao arrived to a hero’s welcome yesterday, relishing his epic victory over Oscar de la Hoya that made him as the only second boxer in history to win three fights in different weight divisions within a year. Before beating De la Hoya to the pulp in a welterweight bout last Sunday in Las Vegas, the Pacman battered super featherweight star Juan Manuel Marquez and lightweight champion David Diaz earlier this year.
Pacquiao heard a thanksgiving mass at the full-packed Quiapo Church in Manila and then went to Malacañang Palace to pay a courtesy call on his chief cheerleader and staunchest fan, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
A visibly ecstatic Arroyo gave Pacquiao a fondant carrot cake in a shape of a red boxing glove. In return, Pacquiao handed a replica of his world championship belt to the Chief Executive.
After a brief meeting with Arroyo, the country’s national treasure proceeded to the GMA-7 compound for a grand reception. Pacquiao is a talent of the Kapuso network.
As a tribute to his earth-shaking triumph over the legendary Golden Boy, GMA-7 through its SIS program tendered a quadruple party for Pacquiao - victory, birthday, christmas and a baby shower - with matching cakes and gifts in each occasion.
During the show, Pacquiao extended his deep gratitude to all his fans for their unflinching support and prayers that gave him added strength in every tough battle he is faced with.
“Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Tagumpay ko, tagumpay nating lahat,” said Pacquiao, eliciting a warm round of applause from the crowd.
Aside from speed, Pacquiao revealed that focus was the other vital element in his masterful destruction of the heavily favored De la Hoya.
“Hindi ko pinapansin ang lahat nang mga intriga sa wala pa ang laban. Sabi mismatch daw, hindi daw ako mananalo, pero hindi ko pinakinggan,” he said.
Pacquiao also talked on a possible retirement next year, but said everything remains to be seen.
“Yun ang gusto ng mga minamahal ko next year. Tingnan natin,” Pacquiao quipped.
Pacquiao is set to leave tomorrow for his hometown General Santos City where he will be throwing a grand birthday celebration as a way of thanking his fans. The Pacman will turn 30 years old on December 17.
Pacquiao will return to the United States next week together with the rest of his family to celebrate Christmas in Los Angeles.
As Pacquiao basks in the glow of what is by far the greatest performance of his career, two possible opponents are being groomed for him in 2009, either super lightweight icon Ricky Hatton or the former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (THE FREEMAN)