But she’ll be there in spirit. Kris would’ve dropped everything to fly to the south and join proud parents Manny and Jinkee at the 10 a.m. christening rites, with 26 prominent individuals standing as godparents, if not for prior commitments.
Fr. Nonito Adorable will baptize Princess as the city rolls out the red carpet for a star-studded cast of visitors coming from different parts of the country and even abroad to witness the Catholic service, greet Manny on his 28th birthday, celebrate the blessing of the boxing icon’s newly-built seven-bedroom home and toast his recent knockout victory over Erik Morales.
The godparents are, in order as they appear in the baptismal invitation, ABS-CBN chairman Gabby Lopez, Janet Jamora (twin sister of Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee), Gov. Chavit Singson, Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia, San Miguel Corp. president Ramon S. Ang, Joaquin Yuong, Jr., businessman-sportsman Hermie Esguerra, Benjie Lim, megastar Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, Tony Antonio, Kris, Jeffrey Mangali, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Emily Uy, Ali Atienza, Angelie Reyes, actor Rudy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s chief of staff Jayke Joson, Rep. Miles Roces of Manila, lawyer Franklin (Jeng) Gacal, Solar Entertainment chairman Wilson Tieng, Salvador Domingo, Jr., actor Willie Revillame, Mon Dizon, actor Bayani Agbayani and movie producer Mommy Rose Flaminiano.
Kris said she was "very flattered" by the invitation to stand as a godmother. "I love the name Mary Divine Grace as I’m also a Marian devotee," she added. "Manny and Jinkee are super blessed to have such a beautiful baby as she’s really adorable."
Her wish for Princess is that "she’ll have a happy and fulfilling life ahead of her, having famous parents should be treated as a blessing and a challenge — a blessing because you hit the gene pool lottery and a challenge because you must try your best to make the most of all the talents and opportunities God gifted you with."
Kris begged off from attending the baptism because of an endorsement shoot yesterday and a commitment to appear live on her ABS-CBN TV show, "The Buzz," today. But she said her heart will be in General Santos City with Princess and her family.
Champion horse owner Hermie Esguerra also sent in this message for Princess: "Welcome, child of God. Love surrounds you and continues to fill your life ahead. Walk with grace and be assured of many that walk the path with you. May you be filled with true happiness all the days of your life."
Esguerra texted his congratulations to Manny and Jinkee: "I share with you the joy of this moment. Baby Princess is your crowning glory and God’s vote of confidence in you. She comes at a very opportune time for once again, we are reminded that it is not fame and glory that matter in life but anything and everything bestowed upon us by the Almighty. You are truly blessed."
Secretary Lapus called Princess "the angel and lucky charm" in Manny’s career.
Princess was born last Oct. 1 while Manny was training for Morales in Los Angeles. Manny didn’t get to see his third child (after Jimuel and Michael Stephen) until he came home last Nov. 24.
"May you continue to be the angel and lucky charm in your dad’s career and life," said Secretary Lapus in his message to Princess. As for Manny and Jinkee, Secretary Lapus said, "May you remain simple and happy as you enjoy wealth, fame and success!"
Here’s a partial list of what’s up for grabs in our annual Christmas treat:
From the ALA boxing stable — a pair of leather 10-ounce boxing gloves, Penrex herbal supplement for men, children’s multivitamins, ALA boxing shorts and shirts, Island Souvenir shirts and USA Sports shirts. From Pro Solutions (Dux Carvajal) — ESPN Star Sports bags, shirts and mousepads. From the Herma Group (Hermie Esguerra) — five gift packs of imported wine. From IdeazPlus (Bob Zozobrado) — Royal Orchid Thai backpack and shirt, gym bag, demitas cup and saucer, pen and calling card holder. From the Games and Amusements Board (Eric Buhain) — Prince badminton racket.
From Buensalido and Associates (Joy Buensalido) — P500 National Bookstore gift certificate, P500 Powerbooks gift certificate, P1,000 gift certificate for Swiss Inn, P1,000 gift certificate for San Francisco Coffee. From AirFreight 2100 (Lito Alvarez) — Air21 T-shirts and memo pads. From the Philippine Football Federation (Johnny Romualdez) — three Adidas balls and shin guards. From Nike (Tony Atayde) — five Nike T-shirts, six Jordan caps, six Nike lanyard cordons.
From San Miguel Corp. (Robert Non) — 16 gift certificates of P300 each, Purefoods fiesta ham, two cases of San Miguel Beer in can and a box of San Mig Coffee. From Red Bull (Tony Chua) — 16 T-shirts and caps. From Sonia Trading (Anil Buxani) — 10 Molten outdoor basketballs and 15 T-shirts. From the Philippine Sports Commission (William Ramirez) — 50 basketballs. From ProStar Sports (Jay Gervasio) — 10 Nike wristbands, 10 Nike water bottles and five Nike "Sole Provider" books. From Larc and Asset PR (Tessa Jazmines) — an electric desk fan.
From Burlington Socks (Norman Black) — 24 pairs of basketball socks. From the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Go Teng Kok) — T-shirts and track suits. From Emerald Headway Distributors (Cristina Aspiras) — 50 issues of assorted sports magazines.
More prizes are expected from the Philippine Basketball Association (Noli Eala), the Philippine Basketball League (Chino Trinidad), Planet Sports (Anton Gonzalez), Purefoods (Rene Pardo), Talk ‘N’ Text (Frankie Lim), Sta. Lucia Realty (Buddy Encarnado), Relzbach Ventures (Bobby Bachmann), the Philippine Boxing Federation (Jun Sarreal) and many, many more.
It’s easy to join and win tons of prizes. Just write down the correct answers to three questions (see below) on a slip of paper, attach an original clipping of The Philippine STAR masthead on the front page (no xerox copies, please), showing the date of publication, and send to "Christmas 2006," The Philippine STAR, Sports Section, R. Oca Jr. and Railroad Streets, Port Area, Metro Manila.
Deadline to submit entries is Tuesday, Dec. 19. We’ll list the 25 winners in this column on Wed., Dec. 20. Winners may claim their prizes on Thursday, Dec. 21, at The STAR office.
The three questions are: Who was the leading local scorer in the PBA last season? Who won a gold medal in individual show jumping for the Philippines at the 2002 Busan Asian Games? Who is the undefeated Venezuelan likely to be Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent in Macau in March or April?
You may send in as many entries as you wish but there will be no multiple winners. Don’t forget to write your name, address, age, occupation (if student, what grade or course, school) and signature.