| | Martin wears Francis M's shirt in Pacquiao fightAuthor: (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)
Column: Manila, Entertainment CONCERT king Martin Nievera wore a Francis M-designed shirt while singing the Philippine National Anthem, before the much-awaited fight of Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton in Las Vegas Sunday (Manila time).
Under Martin's black suit were the three stars and the sun black t-shirt from Francis M's nationalistic designed shirts that are marketed locally.
Francis's widow Pia Magalona earlier expressed excitement when told about Martin's plan of wearing her husband's signature clothes at the "East and West" boxing bout.
"I was overwhelmed when someone told me that Martin wants to wear the t-shirts that Franz (Francis) designed. The Pacquiao-Hatton boxing match is really a big global event na milyun-milyun ang makakapanood," she said.
She added that the Master's Rapper's shirts symbolize Filipinos here and abroad. "Francis's design means na dapat na ipagmalaki natin ang pagiging Pinoy."
According to Pia, the one that Martin wore was his personal favorite.
Martin was the first-ever Filipino male singer who sang the "Lupang Hinirang" in Pacquiao's fight. Other female singers who fortunately rendered the National Anthem in Pacman's prestigious bouts were Karylle, Lani Misalucha, Sarah Geronimo, Ciara Sotto, Geneva Cruz, and Kyla.
The artist who will be singing the national anthem in his fights is usually handpicked by Pacquiao.
Aside from Martin, some local celebrities who flew to Las Vegas to witness Pacman's bout were couple Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres, and composer cum Pacman's close friend Lito Camo.
Not only Filipino stars were spotted in the arena but also Hollywood stars and singers like Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington, Sean Combs, Jay-Z, and Mariah Carey along with husband Nick Cannon.
After two rounds of battle, Pacquiao defeated Hatton by knockout and claimed the IBO light-welterweight title from the British's pride.
The Filipino boxing icon proved to be the greatest and the mightiest fighter in the world today. Source: Sunstar Daily |
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