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Friday, October 12, 2007
Pacquiao gets warm welcome
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wished People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao continued success in his future boxing matches, urging him to continue to be patriotic, God-fearing, and an inspiration to the Filipino people.
The Armed Forces at the same time promoted Pacquiao from an Army reservist to Master Sergeant for bringing honor by defeating Mexican boxer Marco Antonio Barrera at the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada last Sunday.
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Arroyo, in a simple ceremony at the Kalayaan Grounds of Malacañang, personally congratulated Pacquiao for his victory over Barrera in Las Vegas during the weekend.
She also thanked Pacquiao for indirectly uniting the country as his fights usually results in low crime rates and an undeclared ceasefire among government forces and their enemies.
Pacquiao reiterated that he is wiling to hold boxing matches daily if it would ensure that Filipinos would continue to be united. He, however, do not wish his sons to follow in his footsteps.
The boxing champ thanked Arroyo and the Filipinos for praying and supporting him. He said his being religious is also the reason why he usually makes the sign of the cross in every match.
The President, with the help of the presidential chefs, presented to Pacquiao a 13 inches by 20 inches banana coffee rotti fondant cake, which was topped by 14 figurines that include Pacquiao, a nurse, a doctor, a policeman, a soldier, and a priest among others to signify unity.
Chef Katrina Matias said 30 chefs led by executive chef Babes Austria started baking the cake from 7 p.m. Wednesday and ended on 8 a.m. Thursday.
Pacquiao happily received the cake, adding that he receives one from the Palace after his every fight.
Previous pastries given to Pacquiao include a boxing-glove shaped empanada and a boxing ring-cake
Meanwhile, Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres said the promotion of Pacquiao was for “bringing distinct honor” not only to the Army but also to the entire nation for defeating Barrera via a unanimous decision.
In an ambush interview in Camp Aguinaldo, Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who was among those who welcomed the victory of Pacquiao, said the
Filipino boxer deserves the promotion.
“That’s the prerogative of the Army chief (Lieutenant General Alexander Yano) since Pacquiao belongs to the Army as a reservist,” said Esperon. On whether he deserves the promotion, Esperon said: “Oh yes, of course. It’s a reservist rank anyway.”
Told that there may be some irony because Pacquiao is portraying a rebel role in his upcoming “Anak ng Kumander” movie with actress Ara Mina, Esperon said:
“Well, let’s separate movies from real life...That’s purely acting.”
Esperon said acting and real life are two different things. “I hope he does not find it difficult because others find it difficult to be acting in their real life,” the military chief said of Pacquiao.
On Pacquiao’s playing a rebel role when he is a military reservist, Esperon said: “It’s not really irony. But that’s the fact of being in showbiz. Sometimes, good people are given a bad role (in movie). So do you blame that guy for pursuing an artistic pursuit?” (JMR/VR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (October 12, 2007 issue)
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