Pacman reiterates pro-life stand, celebrates Pacmom’s birthday

Pound-for-pound king and Sarangani representative Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao cites his "beliefs" as reason he is against the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill.

“Against ako. Unang-una, naniniwala ako, madasalin akong tao... sumusunod ako sa utos ng Panginoon at ito ay labag sa kautusan ng Panginoon,” Pacquiao told “Umagang Kay Ganda” in an interview aired on May 16.

This is not the first time the eight-division world champion made his stand known publicly. In November 2010, he said that he opposes the bill primarily because he comes from a family of nine. On March 25 this year, he attended a pro-life interfaith rally where he also gave his opinion on the issue.

However, he clarified, “Kanya-kanya tayong opinyon at saka sana, tayo [ay] maging bukas ang ating puso't isipan na ang Panginoon pa rin ang mananaig.”

“Ang kautusan ng Panginoon ang dapat sundin natin, hindi yung kautusan ng tao,” he added.

In a separate report published in abs-cbnnews.com on May 14, Pacquiao explained, “Hindi naman ako pwede mag pro-RH dahil madasalin akong tao. May takot ako sa Panginoon. Ang boss ko kasi ang Panginoon. Ayokong labagin ang kautusan ng Panginoon.”

He also believes that stopping corruption is the solution to alleviating poverty in the country and not the passing of the RH Bill.

On Sunday, Pacquiao’s mother, Dionesia “Mommy D” Pacquiao, celebrated her 62nd birthday party at the Pacquiao Gym in General Santos City. According to a report by “Unang Hirit” also on Monday, the People’s Champ arrived at dinnertime after conducting a motorcade around Gen San and attending a presscon at the Sarangani capitol.

Speaking in the local dialect in front of the guests, Pacquiao greeted and thanked his mother. He and his wife Jinkee then presented Mommy D a boxed gift, said by Pacquiao to be the Hermes bag the she wished for. The champion boxer also sang his latest single, “Sometimes When We Touch,” for his mother.

Among Mommy D’s guests was former president Erap Estrada, who also went on stage to praise his co-actor in “Ang Tanging Pamilya.”

“Alam niyo si Mommy Dionisa, talagang natural actress. Ang galing-galing nyang umarte. Yung aming pelikulang [Ang Tanging Pamilya] ay talagang napakagaling, puro take one,” he said.

Members of the Pacquiao family who attended the party included all of Mommy D’s children and her mother Cristina Dapidran. Pacman’s children were not able to grace the party because, according to Jinkee, they remained in their Laguna home because they still have classes. Instead, the kids sent their "grandma" letters and birthday cards.

Some 800 guests were said to have attended the party which was previously reported to have cost about 1 million pesos to realize. Mommy D danced the Argentine Tango and sang the Imelda Papin hit, “Bakit (Kung Liligaya Ka Sa Piling Ng Iba),” to entertain her guests.

“Tingnan niyo, ang dating ng katawan [ko] 26 [years old]. Kayo nang magbaliktad niyan!” Mommy D told “Unang Hirit,” laughing.

In other Pacquiao-related news, artist and Pacman fan Jose Gamboa gave a unique spin in making his idol’s biography through comic books.

“Sa tingin ko na kung gagawa ka ng biography lang tungkol kay Pacquiao, nagawa na yun. Pero mahirap siyang basahin para lalo na sa mga bata, o kahit na sa matatanda na hindi naman talaga mahilig magbasa ng non-fiction,” Gamboa told “Unang Hirit” in a separate taped interview aired on the same day.

Gamboa said the biography in comic form makes it easier for everyone to read.

The comics, which was already read by Pacquiao himself, featured the little-talked-about events in the champ’s life such as his childhood, and the time when he was still courting Jinkee. Gamboa also made comics on Pacquiao becoming a world champion and finally winning in the last national elections.

The artist has already met Pacquiao and he believes the latter likes his project.

“Binabasa niya, tapos pinapakita niya sa mga kasamahan niya no'n. So sa tingin ko maganda naman yung reception,” he said.

Gamboa took his references on Pacquiao’s life from previously published bios, and was also able to interview a child of Pacman’s first trainer.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao is set to host a forthcoming game show on GMA-7.

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA