2009 05/06-05/12

MANILA MAIL COMMUNITY

FRONT PAGE ARTICLE

Pacquiao can't help smiling because: (a) he got a new wide belt (b) he becomes $12 Million richer after last Saturday night's shocking (at least to the chanting, boisterous British) victory over Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand Arena. (c) he feels on 'top of the world' for the obligatory post-fight lift and for being regarded as boxing's all-time great. The correct answer: All of the above.

Caption by Bradford Adkins (Scene in the City)

Photo by: Rafael Soto

Pacquiao Shocks Hatton

(and 16,262 fans) with a 2^nd Round KO

By Bradford Adkins

The very last left punch that sealed the embarrassing fate of Britain ’s Ricky Hatton is the very same punch that cemented the legacy of Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao as boxing world’s all-time great at 2:59 of the 2^nd round of their fight at the MGM Arena last Saturday night. The sports’ old time followers can’t stop hurling superlatives to our fellow countryman, even Muhammad Aliformer trainer Bob Arum can’t stop telling the reporters of the world that “there has never been a boxer with the same combination of speed and explosive power as Pacquiao”.

All these, happening within the same week as Time Magazine proclaims Pacquiao as one of the 100 World’s Most Influential People in their May 11, 2009 issue. He was featured solo on the issue’s page 123 (on the more first reading attention-getting right side of page) while others (the likes of Hillary Clinton, George Clooney, et al) share a page with co-awardees. He hasn’t won the fight then, when the selection was made.

He was at his best elements when he defeated World Champion and boxing’s Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya. But he was even better here Saturday night after brutally punishing Hatton with his fists doing most of the talking. Pacquaio is as meek as a lamb off the ring, but inside the ring, he transforms into a no-mercy Wolverine type animal unleashing a fury of jabs and punches.

The mostly British sold-out arena crowd of 16,262 started arriving at around 2:00 p.m. for the evening fight, singing loudly “Theeeeerrrrre’s ooooooooooonly ooooooone…Ricky Hatton…” to the tune of ‘Winter Wonderland’, inside and outside the venue. HBO Pay Per View staff were totting cameras on their esophagus, singing for hours (hey, I gotta admit, their songs are catchy, sometimes I find myself singing with them..hehehe..). Just a second before the 3^rd minute of the 2^nd round though, they were shocked and rendered speechless, as their national pride, Hatton, lay flat on his back, after surprisingly receiving a powerful left hook from Pacquiao.

There simply were no further details of the fight to write about (it was waaaay too short!) except that Pacquaio knocked down Hatton to his knees not just once, but twice during the 1^st round. And then Pacquiao unleashed his devastating left punch that sent Hatton sleeping in the canvass at 2:59 of the fight. End of Story.

Off-the-ring stories are equally interesting, like when I interviewed Philippine national anthem-singing, Martin Nievera (who, for the life of me, to this day, I really can’t fathom the idea why is he hiding behind the planted bushes in the MGM Grand Arena lobby;), minutes before the fight when he answered “They came here to get drunk (referring to the Britons) – and we came here to fight.” to my question “What can you say that we Pinoys here are outnumbered at MGM by the beer-totting and boisterously-singing British?” Personally, I really liked his ‘Lupang Hinirang’ version though (American-twang speaking, he said he totally prepared for the song’s deep tagalong words; and I believed him after his performance).

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri who came with his wife early at the venue, posed with fellow Pacquiao supporters and responded “Gugulpihin ni Pacquiao yun at mananahimik na yang mga yan!” to the same question. Translation: “Pacquiao will knock out Hatton and they will all be silent”. Prophetically said, no wonder he is a Senator.

Like a plane-full of other Filipinos who flew in from the Philippines just to watch this historic fight, Property Developer Primo M. Valerio was optimistic all night long who said that physically, Pacquiao looked more prepared as compared to Hatton’s haggard face and thin frame (his ribs are very conspicuous, even from afar).

Like the Hatton supporters who traveled from afar and rearranged their lives (they put them on hold) to be at the arena, Pacquaio supporters came in droves too. What caught my attention though, are the ones who brought along their whole families with them (with little children to boot!), like it’s a picnic in the park. It’s as if they are going to experience something historic, something positively extra-ordinary that they want their kids to be a part of it.

I just can’t take this picture off my mind - there is this family of four whose Father proudly showed me a short video of his youngest son, doing a boxing impersonation of Pacquiao on this phone. The twist was that, the whole family is non-Filipino. They’re all Mexicans.

Spanish-speaking too are a bunch many of the Pacquiao supporters present that night. I talked to someone in the arena who even showed me several pictures of him and his family, at his house, showing Pacquiao eating dinner with them (no, they don’t appear to be photoshopped, really).

Indeed, Pacquaio’s popularity has not only crossed-over. It’s gone mainstream. We don’t know how far and which levels this will take Pacquiao to. But one thing’s for sure – he will take his country, the Philippines, wherever his greatness goes.

Indeed, it was written in the stars.

Pacquiao Did It Again, In Style!

As this column had accurately predicted last week (and so did the other major mainstream sports newspapers), our very own Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao did it again, as he knocked down England’s Ricky Hatton only after 1 round and 2:59 of the 2^nd, to the utmost disbelief of tens and thousands of his supporters, who trooped at the MGM Grand Arena and the world. Whew!...what a way to end a fight! Nobody expected it to be that fast, not even his own trainer, Coach Freddie Roach who predicted a 3^rd round knockout.

This columnist was there, in the middle of it all, as the costumed Britons arrived in droves last Saturday early afternoon, singing happily in unison, like they do in world soccer championship matches. Some were dressed as Beetlejuice, some wore kilts, but the vast majority came as Fashionistas looking like they’re going to the Oscar awards.

I was personally impressed how the British orchestrated a massive cheering squad, complete with drums and a number of really catchy theme songs, like “Manny Pacquaio is going down…going down… “ sang to the tune of “ London Bridge is Falling Down…falling down…” or the even catchier….”There’s only one….Ricky Hatton!”…adapting the tune of “Winter Wonderland”. There’s a third one I’d rather not print because the lyrics are really really offensive.

I got intimidated as HBO zeroes in their cameras all night on the Britons cheering, while only 2 Philippine Flag-clad Pacquiao supporters were chanting back softly – a very simple ‘Manny!...Manny! We gotta do a better cheering job next time, folks!

I thought, I wish I could personally cover Pacquiao’s ears that moment before the fight, so as not for him to lose focus. The Britons were really really loud. I am not sure if Pacquiao channeled all the intimidation from the very first second of the 1^st round, but he was evidently furious. His fists and jabs were flying all over Hatton, mercilessly in all directions that sent the poor Briton down to his knees twice, in the first round alone.

Mexicans cheered alongside Filipinos as referee Kenny Bayless ended the fight even before the 2^ndround finishes, while the disappointed Britons rushed quietly for the nearest exits.

I saw Lito Camo, Bong Revilla, Robert Jaworski, Martin Nievera, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and countless other politicians mingling with the Britons and Hollywood celebrities on the arena floor.

At the post-fight press conference, Pacquaio invited everyone to attend his victory party at the neighboring Mandalay Beach at the Mandalay Bay Hotel (his ‘official’ post-fight party). The place was also a total sold out, inspite the $20 entrance fee.

Others trooped to the Run Jungle Club, also inside Pacquiao’s favorite, Mandalay Bay Hotel (site of last year’s official party) trying to get a glimpse of the newly crowned boxing all-time great.

All the prideful Filipino jubilations can be summed up by Coach Roach, set to receive a Best Trainer award from WBC in New York next week, proclaiming to all present at the MGM Grand Arena - “I am the Best Coach because I have the best fighter!”

To that – we Filipinos can say, “We are the happiest because we have the world’s best fighter, too!”

(See related front page article of the fight for more details.)

SEEN IN THE CITY

Manny Calayan is in town!

The very famous Beauty-doctor-to-the-stars, Dr. Manny Calayan is here in the Bay Area visiting. Talks have it that he is scouting for that perfect location in the area to establish a local Beauty Clinic, to serve US residents right here on their homeland, instead of mounting a very expensive Balikbayan trip to the Philippines.

His famous client list include Dingdong Dantes, Claudine Barretto, Ruffa Gutierrez, Boy Abunda and Katrina Halili, among others.

For consultation or any beauty inquiry, please call him at locally at (408) 712-3743.

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY

Sharon Cuneta’s MegaThirty Concert in Reno

(In celebration of her 30^th anniversary in showbiz)

Sharon Cuneta remains to be the most formidable force to reckon with in the local entertainment industry. After 30 colorful years her success continues to be uncontested, the superiority being marked by her string of hits on television, in the movies, on the live concert stage and the recording front.

Her “Sharon” show on ABS-CBN continues to be a favorite Sunday night fare among her loyal patrons. Her recent movie under Star Cinema “Caregiver” was a certified blockbuster both here and abroad paying tribute to the modern heroes of our time. Her recordings under Sony Music Entertainment continues to scale the charts on the platinum level, specifically her “Isn’t It Romantic” series which will release its third volume soon, a record to pay tribute to our very own gem – Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

Today, it is but fitting for the country’s one and only megastar Ms. Sharon Cuneta to celebrate the best of 30 years in show business in her much awaited anniversary concert dubbed “Megathirty” on May 24, 2009, Sunday at Tuscany Events Center, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Reno, Nevada.

Let Sharon take you down memory lane with her unique gift of music in this one delightful night that will span three decades of love and inspiration. Her special guest is her own daughter, KC Concepcion.

Also expected to spice up the celebration are the special appearances of our local group singers, the Previously Next Phaze. “Megathirty’s” musical direction is by Louie Ocampo.

A production of Echofaze Production and Peppermill Reno, Sharon Cuneta’s “Megathirty” is being presented by Realty World, Tancinco Law Office, Seafood City, Pera Ko Pera Mo, Keyrose Corporation and Philippines Today. Megathirty is sponsored by Thornton Dental, GMN Access Health Services, Manila Mail and Philippine Headlines.

The show also features "PREVIOUSLY NEXT PHAZE".

For tickets, please call Maribeth B. Ugalde at (510) 734.1348 or send email to maribethbugalde@ymail.com.

PERSONAL NOTES

ABS-CBN Foundation USA’s Sagip Kapamilya sa Amerika offers CNA scholarships

(Philippine Nurses Association of California partners in scholarship campaign)

In response to the hard economic times and the financial difficulties many are experiencing, ABS-CBN Foundation USA launches on May 15 a new campaign under its Sagip Kapamilya (Family Rescue) program.

Called Sagip Kapamilya sa Amerika (SKSA), the campaign aims to help those who have recently lost their jobs by offering 30 free scholarships towards a Certified Nursing Assistant’s (CNA) license. A CNA license, which can be obtained following a two-month training period, can help open doors for immediate employment in the health and convalescent care industries. It is also a stepping stone towards higher educational opportunities leading to degrees as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs).

Partnering with SKSA is the Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California (PNANC), which will provide the certified instructors for the practical institution. The venue for the pilot program is made available by the American College of Nursing in Concord, California.

The pilot program begins on May 15, 2009 and classes run for eight weekends (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) through July 18, 2009. Graduates of the program should be able to seek immediate employment in the healthcare industry which continues to grow amid the current economic downturn.

The 30 free CNA scholarships are grants for the participating schools’ tuition fees only. No other grants corollary to or required by the campaign shall be provided by SKSA, ABS-CBN Foundation USA, PNANC or any of the participating schools. Successful candidates shall be responsible for other requirements, which may include but are not limited to books, uniforms and nursing equipment.

A second batch of scholarships shall also be offered in Northern California in September 2009. The plan is to replicate the program in other parts of the U.S. by early 2010.

“Our Sagip Kapamilya program has helped solicit aid for victims of the 2004 typhoons and 2006 mudslide in the Philippines, and the 2007 Southern California wildfires, among others,” said ABS-CBN Foundation USA President Mitos Santisteban. “Sagip Kapamilya is an emergency humanitarian assistance program and our current economic crisis calls for such a response. We hope that our SKSA campaign will help generate jobs in the healthcare field and more importantly, send a message of hope to the community. We want them to know that we understand what they are going through and that we care.”

For more information on how to qualify for a scholarship for SKSA, please visitwww.abscbnfoundation.org or call toll free 800.527.2820. Applications are now being received and will end on May 6, 2009.

This column appears online also at www.ManilaMailCommunityNews.blogspot.com

Do you have any personal or community events you want announced? Just email them to bradford_adkins@yahoo.com