By all accounts, the last man standing was, who else? The Destroyer himself.
All smiles and already at home in his new mansion reportedly worth P35 million, Manny was a buzzaw of a host that night. Earlier in the day, he coddled his only daughter Mary Divine Grace as she was christened at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage parish amid a throng of celebrity sponsors.
Among them movie producer Rose Flaminiano, movie stars Rudy Fernandez and Bayani Agbayani, Sharon Cuneta and Kris Aquino (who both failed to arrive) and politicians that included Ilocos Sur governor Luis 'Chavit' Singson.
A grand reception for the baptism was held at the exclusive Rosewood Restaurant. By 5 p.m., the blessing of his new home was started.
Oh! Did somebody tell you that Manny's mother was initially denied entry to his house because the new uniformed guards posted outside did not know her?
The guests at their house?
They are Gensan's well-heeled and Manny's close friends from Bacolod, Manila, Cebu and the United States.
Even Tata Salac of the famed Diwalwal mining mogul was there.
Let me enumerate some of star-studded casts who were at Manny's residence to greet him on his birthday.
From ABS-CBN, Producer Charo Santos, the Castillejo sisters (Dyan and Jackie), Bayani Agbayani, Long Mejia and Andrew E., Kristy Fermin.
Politicians from Luzon. Chavit Singson of course, Ali Atienza, Manila congressman Miles Roces.
From the US, trainer-coach Freddie Roach, Manny's manager Shelly Finkel, Mike Koncz, Jun Ramos.
From Gensan are former Pacquiao benefactor and ABAP Gensan prexy Rey Golingan, Boy Sun, Gauvain Bensonan and uncle in law lawyer Dick Jamora.
Local government chief executives Mayor Jun Acharon of General Santos, Sarangani governor Migs Dominguez, Kiamba mayor Danny Martinez.
MP promotions' Wakee Salud and lawyer Jeng Gacal.
Local media friends of Manny.
Big bike riders Mike Calixto, Ronel Rivera and wife and Pandong 'FPJ' Sacdalan.
Food overflowed although some guests did not know where to get their fill (The buffet table at the back where the roasted calves were was never empty).
Beer overflowed although Manny had to rush more orders as they ran out by close to midnight.
Two bands played all night long.
Rapper Andrew brought the house down when he did a mini-concert, repeatedly ribbing FLT's Rose Flaminiano of his talent fee.
Manny spoke, sang, blew his cake and, as ever, was profuse with thanks to his visitors and well wishers.
When the video of his three-round demolition of Morales was shown, all eyes were glued to the wide screen as if they were watching it live from Thomas and Mack center.
By 3 a.m., the following morning, all the tables around the pool at Manny's spacious garden were still filled with visitors and guests.
