Monday, December 11, 2006 City to co-present Pacman TV special
THE City Government is partnering with ABS-CBN and MP Productions in bringing the TV Special "Alay ni Idol sa Bayan" to viewers all over the world this weekend.
On December 16 and 17, General Santos will play host to a good number of major stars from the country's number one television company as they join Pacquiao in staging a television musical special at the city's air-conditioned Lagao Gym.
They will also take part in a multi-celebration of sorts for Manny's birthday, the blessing of his new mansion just behind the Lagao Gym and the baptism of his daughter, Divine Grace, on Sunday at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish.
In a meeting with officers from the TV station, Mayor Jun Acharon revealed that even before ABS-CBN came into the picture, he had already set aside the nights of December 16 and 17 as his tribute to the Champ and had lined up a series of entertainment and musical numbers from local entertainers during those evenings at the City Oval Plaza.
For the TV special, which will air on delayed telecast, the mayor has granted ABS-CBN free use of the Lagao Gym from December 16 to 17.
A public viewing of the movie "The Manny Pacquiao Story" will be held on the night of the 16th.
And on the 17th, a musical variety show featuring more than 20 ABS-CBN stars will be staged.
Included in the program is the Mayor giving out an award to Manny courtesy of the City Council.
The gym stage will be enlarged and spruced up for the production numbers during the TV special.
ABS-CBN has earmarked P6,000,000 for this weekend spectacle.
The stage set-up alone will cost P650,000.
A giant billboard TV will be set up at the gym's parking grounds for people who cannot be accommodated inside.
For his part, Acharon added that he is once more employing the help and participation of the local Moslem communities in securing the peace at the duration of the stay of the 100-strong ABS-CBN group and thus reinforcing the strength of the local police and the military forces.
"This will be the Generals' (as he calls his constituents) merriest Christmas ever and the grandest staging of the Pasko Sa Gensan. Thanks to our Champ Manny Pacquaio and ABS-CBN", the mayor further remarked.
As of this writing, more than a hundred rooms have already been reserved among Gensan's top hotels, a windfall for the city's economy.
