As close as one can get to Manny Pacquiao

Author: Alwin M. Ignacio, Contributor
Column: Life

The SMS message this writer received was for an intimate party for the peoples champ Manny Pacquiao. Of course, this was an invitation I could not refuse since its not everyday one gets to have a tête-à-tête with the worlds number one pound-for-pound fighter. The message did not mention the venue except that it was to be held in a plush hotel.

Imagine my surprise when the party, described as intimate, was in the ballroom of the New World Renaissance Hotel in Makati City. It was teeming GMA 7 personalities led by head honchos chairman, president and CEO Felipe Gozon, EVP and COO Gilberto Duavit Jr., top network executives Marivin Arayata, Redgie Magno and Butch Raquel, Solar Entertainment chairman and CEO William Tieng and president Wilson Tieng, a handful of Kapuso stars led by Dingdong Dantes, Alfred Vargas, Paolo Contis, Chris Tiu, Lian Paz, Maxene Magalona with mom Pia, Mike Enriquez, German Moreno, some friends from the entertainment press, prominent political personas, and the advertising industry, with no less debonair Paolo Bediones hosting the event.

Since Manny was fashionably late for two hours, the guests were entertained with portions of HBOs special primer on the Ricky Hatton-Pacquiao fight billed as The Battle of East and West. Rochelle Pangilinan of the Sex Bomb gyrated as she sang her signature numbers, and soul prince Jay-R enthralled everyone with his signature rhythm and blues medley and pop chart toppers. A number of karaoke microphones were raffled off and, as expected, food, glorious food and wine overflowed, to dissipate the boredom of waiting.

Thanks to a chopper lent by Gov. Chavit Singson, the peoples champ arrived, looking dapper with his new look (orange sweater with cream diamond print over a yellow-orange long-sleeved polo complemented with a fedora cap). His entrance was greeted with thunderous applause, and his very presence electrified the ballroom. He shook hands, kissed cheeks, and the moment he sat on the presidential table with the rest of the bigwigs, the program started.

The nights highlight was the formal forging of partnerships between Manny Pacquiao, GMA Network and Solar Entertainment in what is considered by many as a historic contract signing.

Aside from his fight contract, Manny also renewed his contract with the network as a talent. Aside from his regular show Pinoy Records, which he co-hosts with basketball idol Christ Tiu, he will put his natural comic ability to good use as he will star in a new situational comedy with Lito Camo and silver Olympian medalist boxer Onyok Velasco.

The boxing icon signed a long-term contract with the network, revealed Atty. Gozon.

Tieng of Solar Entertainment, on the other hand, thanked their partners for their unwavering support as he assured everyone that the best record breaking sports spectacle can only come from the synergy between the Philippines number one entertainment network and the countrys leading sports channel.

After the contract signing, the ceremonial toasts ensued, confetti bombs exploded, and Manny, together with Lito Camo and the Time Capsule Band, regaled the guests with Pacmans signature ditties.

Source: The Daily Tribune