FILIPINOS TROOP TO L.A. TO GIVE PACQUIAO A WARM SENDOFF
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 27 Apr 2015
LOS ANGELES ? The Pan Pacific Park, one of two venues where Manny Pacquiao does his on the road training regimen thrice a week, was transformed into a virtual Filipino community during the penultimate day of Filipino ring idol?s two-month training camp in this entertainment city of the world.
Pacquiao and his team drive to Las Vegas, site of his rich, mega-fight with American Floyd Mayweather Monday and hundreds of Filipinos living here and other parts of the United States and from as far as Canada Monday (Tuesday in Manila) to give their beloved countryman a warm sendoff.
They lined the streets from Pacquiao?s residence along Plymouth St. on the way to the park where many had been waiting from as early as 5:30 a.m. in the hope of at least having a glimpse at him in person to show their support in his fight with 47-0 win-loss record holder on May 2 (may 3 in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pandemonium broke loose as groups in bunches cave in on Pacquiao and his running team entered the main park, some shouting, while others just waved their hands just so their hero can notice them.
Still many remained in a circle inside the children?s playground where the World Boxing welterweight titleholder ended his workout with his regular limbering up exercises and and shadow boxing to position themselves and have a vantage position.
Actor Cesar Montano.
Filipino-American rapper Apl de Ap.
One group carried a placard that read, ?Show Me Da Manny,? and another simply saying, ?47-1,? sending a victory message to beat Mayweather and erase his immaculate 47-0 slate.
A group that said they came all the way from Vigan, Ilocos Sur carried a placard that said, ?Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao ? Vigan.? Another had this signage, ?Von Voyage, Manny, Good Luck and Bring Home the Bacon.?
While Pacquiao and his running group were completing a lap of the park, many shouted, ?Go, Pacman, Go,? and "Mabuhay ka at ang Pilipinas."
In his workout-ending routine exercises, the eight-division champ was joined by rapper Apl de Ap and a movie actor Cesar Montano, who both, likewise, wished him the best of luck in his epic showdown with the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association 147-pound titlist.
To show his gratitude, the Sarangani lawmaker obliged by staying longer than he should have, posing for posterity for those who requested and signing t-shirts, caps and other Pacquiao merchandise.
A routine six-round sparring at the Wild Card Gym in the heart of Hollywood completed his day's leisurely workout before rushing to nearby Irvine City to attend the joint birthday party of his son Baby Israel, who will turn one-year-old Monday and son of businessman-friend Abbas Ahmadi, who turned four that day.
That caught members of his security force, who thought he was going back home to dress up that some of them and other members of his team were left behind.
He will rest as usual Sunday (Monday in Manila), a day devoted to his family and attending religious services at the Born Again Christian Shepherd Church.
Chief trainer Freddie Roach has scheduled a short sparring session Monday (Tuesday in Manila).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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