Fr. Suarez KOs Manny

WBC lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao was knocked out flat on his back by healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez without taking a punch during a solemn pray-over in suite No. 2420 at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati last Sunday night.

Fr. Suarez scored a double knockout as Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee also fell on her back after being “slain” by the cleric whose God-given power of healing has drawn worldwide attention.

It was Pacquiao’s chief of staff Jayke Joson who invited Fr. Suarez to meet the couple. They met by accident at the Manila Peninsula Hotel last Thursday.

“Jayke asked if I could pray over Manny before he leaves for the US to start training for (Oscar) De la Hoya,” said Fr. Suarez. “Of course, I replied. I’ve been a boxing fan since I was a boy. I remember when I was eight, my grandfather bought a TV just to watch the Thrilla in Manila in 1975. My boxing heroes growing up were the big heavyweights and Dodie Boy Peñalosa.”

Fr. Suarez said he never fails to say a special prayer for Pacquiao whenever he fights but admitted he has watched the champion in action only once - on TV when he recently disposed of David Diaz for the WBC crown.

Only a few people were in the suite where Fr.Suarez was brought to meet Manny and Jinkee. Witnessing the pray-over were architect Nestor Mangio and wife Marion, Fr. Christopher Panlilio of New Jersey, Joson, Pacquiao’s business manager Eric Pineda and writer Bing Carrion-Buck with three photographers compiling images for her forthcoming book “Modern Day Filipino Heroes - Values They Live By,” a 260-page coffee table collectors’ item to be launched on Nov. 30, National Heroes Day.

Manny and Jinkee sat on the edge of the bed in the suite while Fr. Suarez prayed over them. As Fr. Suarez spoke, they closed their eyes and suddenly dropped flat on the bed. It took a few seconds before they came to.

“I asked them to sit on the bed because I knew Jinkee is pregnant,” said Fr. Suarez. “They were overcome by the Holy Spirit. They opened their hearts to receive the Lord and rested in the Spirit.”

Devotees often collapse when Fr. Suarez prays over them in what is called a “slaying.” “Catchers” are posted behind devotees to prevent a bad fall.

“I immediately noticed Manny’s inner strength and confidence,” said Fr. Suarez. “He has a remarkable aura. I sensed he is a man of faith. He asked if I could also bless his wife so I prayed over them together. I prayed for his success and happiness. I told Manny I always pray for him because he fights for our country and the entire nation is praying for him.”

Mangio said while Fr. Suarez prayed over the couple, a ringtone from a cellphone sounded and it was a spiritual prayer. Even Fr. Suarez was surprised by the timely ring. The cellphone was Jinkee’s.

“Something magical happened,” said Mangio who is the architect of the Montemaria shrine and place of prayer to rise on the slopes of Batangas City, overlooking the bay and the Verde Island Passage. “What are the chances of a cellphone with a spiritual ringtone sounding while Fr. Suarez is praying over in a private session?”

Businessman Greg Monteclaro, who manages Fr. Suarez’ Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation, described the meeting as “historic” because it brought together two of the country’s most admired headline makers.

Fr. Suarez later acceded to a request from Mangio to recreate the pray-over for the media during a brief press conference on the fourth floor of the hotel. The re-enactment was done without the “slaying.”

Pacquiao invited Fr. Suarez to witness his match against De la Hoya in Las Vegas on Dec. 6. Fr. Suarez said he will be in San Francisco that day to conduct a retreat but will try to catch a late flight to attend the event.

Carrion-Buck said her book, the 16th in her legacy series, will feature only two sports heroes, Pacquiao and bowler Paeng Nepomuceno. The book will profile 40 Filipinos, including Fr. Suarez, Tony Meloto and Gov. Grace Padaca.

Fr. Suarez, who was ordained in 2002 with the Catholic order Companions of the Cross, is now based in Batangas City. He arrived from Canada last Sept. 7 to set up his mission here for good.

An avid sportsman, Fr. Suarez plays tennis whenever he can fit a match in his schedule. The other night, he played three sets of doubles alternating with Raymond and Ronnie Suarez, Marty Ilagan, Roland Kraut, Fr. Leo and Romy Chan at the Manila Polo Club courts.