PACQUIAO HONORED WITH POSTAGE STAMP
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 03 May 2008
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao will be honored with a special issue of a postage stamp, becoming the first athlete to be accorded such an honor by the Philippine Postal Service.
Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today learned some time ago that the boxing icon had agreed to the proposal from PhilPost which in itself is regarded as a singular honor for an athlete who has helped restore international respect for the Philippines through his amazing exploits in the ring.
The Pacquiao stamp is the first in a series of special issues covering Filipino achievers in sports and the arts under the Philpost's project dubbed "Kaya ng Pinoy."
Postmaster General Villanueva said the fighter referred to as 'Pambansag Kamao' "really deserves this because no other Filipino boxer has achieved what he accomplished. He's been a world champion for more than four years now and his feats are still growing."
Pacquiao said "to be featured in a stamp alongside other great heroes is Philippine history is indeed a great honor for me."
Pacquiao won the WBC super featherweight title via a split decision over Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez last March 15.
Hall-of-Famer Gabriel "Flash Elorde" was also the world's 130 pound champion and held the title for some seven-and-a-half years and is certain to be honored in the near future along with the Philippines first world champion Pancho Villa, among others.
Pacquiao who had begun light training in Cebu and General Santos City in preparation for his departure for Los Angeles on May 10 to begin serious training for his June showdown with WBC lightweight champion David Diaz was flying to Manila aboard a plane sent to fetch him by Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson.
Pacquiao was scheduled tol sign a Memorandum of Agreement with Postmaster General Hector Villanueva formalizing the release of the special issue which is expected to be out before Pacquiao's battle with Diaz in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 28.
The only previous stamp issued in honor of a sport or a sports association was a commemmorative stamp saluting the 25th anniversary of the Philippine Basketball Association which is the second oldest pro-league in the world next to the NBA.
Pacquiao's close friend and confidant Rex "Wakee" Salud said he expects Pacquiao to be in Cebu on Saturday for the big fight card at the Cebu Coliseum in which one of his proteges, Rodel Mayol, will see action in a ten round bout with Wisan Sor Suchanya of Thailand. Also scheduled to attend are WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa and IBF minimum weight champion Florante Condes.
Top photo: An imaginary Pacquiao stamp created by one of Pacland's artists, Art Garcia, during the early days of Pacquiao's stint in the US.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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