Manny Parts Ways with ABS-CBN, And It's Not Just a Lovers' Quarrel
By Manny Piñol
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 29 May 2007
It was about two years ago, a few months before the Pacquiao-Morales II, when I brought up the idea of ABS-CBN's involvement with bigtime professional boxing to the network's top man -- Gabby Lopez.
Gabby and I were in a golf game with Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte at the scenic Apo Golf and Country Club, nestled at the foot of the country's highest mountain, Mt. Apo, when he asked me about Manny Pacquiao.
"Can we bring him in to the network?," he asked me. I told him I will try to talk to Manny about the idea.
But deep inside me, I was very excited about ABS-CBN's involvement with Philippine boxing because of the exposure it would give not only to Manny but also to other Filipino boxers.
I started making calls and soon after, I had Manny and Wakee Salud in tow as we held the first meeting with ABS-CBN's Peter Musngi and other top executives of the network at Bohol Avenue.
Before I knew it, and after a series of meetings which transpired after I had properly introduced them, a love affair between Manny and ABS-CBN had blossomed. The network got the TV rights for the Philippines of Pacquiao-Morales II, undoubtedly one of the highest rated boxing coverages by a local television network in history.
When the triumphant Manny came home, ABS-CBN handled the whole coverage. The boxing champion was even flown to General Santos City on board the network's jet and TV Patrol was never complete without a report on Pacquiao from General Santos City.
ABS-CBN called Manny "Kapamilya" and Pacquiao was proud to be counted as a prime member of the network's family.
Pacquiao-Morales II was followed by the Pacquiao-Larios fight at the Araneta Coliseum and finally, the Pacquiao-Morales III where for almost two months prior to the fight, ABS-CBN reporters led by Dyan Castillejo closely monitored Manny's preparation for the fight.
I still don't know when the relationship started to sour. But obviously, on the part of ABS-CBN, it started when Manny's business managers priced the rights to the TV coverage of the Pacquiao-Solis fight way beyond what was financially viable.
While ABS-CBN executives will not admit it, the situation became worse when the TV rights for the Pacquiao-Solis fight went to its main rival -- GMA 7.
I felt it was the worst thing that could happen to ABS-CBN. It was like a slap on their faces. And so when the electoral campaign started, there was a noticeable change in the way ABS-CBN handled stories concerning Manny Pacquiao.
Gone were the idolizing slants. What prevailed was a series of stories which Manny himself described as "unfair" and "masakit (painful)."
I talked to Peter Musngi after the elections (which Manny lost) and asked him what happened and he said he had no control over the way the news department handled the stories.
But Manny does not buy that line. "Wala silang kwentang kaibigan," a hurting Pacquiao told me on the phone.
Any chance of reconciliation? ABS-CBN is asking for a meeting with Manny to clarify things but Manny's response was a firm "NO!"
Well, I am trying my best to iron things out. But honestly, I still don't know the rate of success in reconciling lovers whose quarrel is as bitter as the Pacquiao-ABS-CBN I.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Manny Piñol.
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