Pacquiao bats for SEA Games bets

Seven-time world boxing champions Manny Pacquiao has openly thrown his support behind the Filipino athletes going to the Southeast Asian Games in Laos next week. Despite his incredibly hectic schedule, the record-setting Filipino sports icon spent precious time with them at a reception organized for both him and our SEA Games bets at the Century Park Hotel in Manila Friday evening.

Pacquiao, clad in a simple polo barong and wearing a protective bandage over his right eye and a temporary cast over his right hand, was visibly drawn from his fight against erstwhile WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, not to mention the numerous activities that followed, especially since his arrival that same day. Pacquiao proceeded to the event hosted by PBA Party-list immediately after being conferred the Order of Sikatuna by President Arroyo in Luneta.

But the preparations for the event were not easy. With the fluid nature of Pacquiao’s schedule, the organizers were concerned that he would either not arrive that day, or would simply fly straight home to General Santos City upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

On top of everything else, the organizers had initially attempted to request the use of Ninoy Aquino Stadium for the gathering. But one political officer assigned by the group allegedly pretended to be someone else, resulting in miscommunication. The Philippine Sports Commission even went so far as to issue a press release disclaiming involvement with the event, since alleged attempts to co-opt the event for administration political purposes has supposedly failed.

At the Century Park Hotel, Pacquiao relaxed briefly at one of the Park Tower Suites and gave only one interview, to Bea Atienza of the new ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) program “Ultimate Sports Barkada” sponsored by Smart and produced by this writer. In the interview, which will be aired in full on ANC Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and replayed on Sunday at 3 p.m., Pacquiao also expressed his concern for the athletes competing in the SEA Games.

In a statement, Pacquiao had already seen, “I am deeply troubled that our athletes have not achieved what they can, or what I have, partly due to lack of support. But with faith in God, I know they can do better.”

Downstairs, the ballroom was packed with athletes who were provided transportation by the Philippine Olympic Committee through president Peping Cojuangco. Though he was unable to attend, Cojuangco sent bowling official and POC member Steve Hontiveros in his stead. The athletes, some dressed in their training uniforms, were thrilled at the prospect of being in the same room as their sports idol.

It took Pacquiao a while to negotiate the short walk to the ballroom from the elevator, as politicans, well-wishers, television crews, fans and photographers mobbed him, some asking for autographs or photos with the champion. Once in the room, the madness continued, as one failed political candidate even tried to control proceedings.

Eventually, Pacquiao, his wife Jinkee and their entourage were seated and program began with a short video chronicling his rise to popularity around the world. The video drew applause from the crowd, which was midway through dinner.

Before Pacquiao was introduced, the athletes were asked to rise and be acknowledged, and drew wild howls and cheers of encouragement from the other attendees.

Pacquiao gave a very short, unrehearsed speech encouraging the athletes, even going so far as to jokingly tell them to call him in case things went wrong.

“Call me if you can’t handle it,” he joked. “But I know you can do it.”

After a brief photo-op with the SEA Games delegation, Pacquiao apologized for having to depart to attend to other obligatory functions.

The event ended with a rousing performance by Zoo band.