?MANNY PACQUIAO TEAM ILOILO? PREPARES TO CHEER AT RINGSIDE
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 29 May 2008
ILOILO CITY ? A group of Ilonggo fight fans calling itself as ?Manny Pacquiao Team Iloilo? is preparing to cheer at ringside for World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight challenger Manny Pacquiao who will battle WBC lightweight champion David Diaz for 12 rounds dubbed ?Lethal Combination? at the Mandalay Bay and Resort Casino in Las Vegas on June 28.
Daniel P. Sumagaysay, the group?s spokesman, said they will bring a giant tarpaulin that screams: ?Four-division world champion Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao Team Iloilo? inside the hotel event center ?to show our support for our beloved ring idol.?
A businessman who owns a restaurant and catering services in Pototan, Iloilo, Sumagaysay, 52, said he has seen many of Pacquiao?s fights here and abroad and was impressed by his skills and courage especially how Pacquiao managed to turn defeat into victory in his March 15 duel with nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez also in Las Vegas.
?He has the heart of a real champion and the skills of Marvin Hagler and Ray Mancini,? Sumagaysay said, referring to the 29-year-old Pacquiao who will invade the 135 lbs division for the first time. ?He deserves the support of the entire nation and that?s why we will cheer for him at ringside.?
Also included in the team are jeweler couple Lornelan and Josefa Caitan and broadcaster Jonavin Villalva, who will also cover the historic fisticuff ?live? for MBC Aksyon Radyo Iloilo.
Sumagaysay, who will represent the country in the Tacoma Food and Gift Festival in Tacoma, Washington in October, said ?Pacquiao?s victory is necessary for the country which is currently being bedeviled by political wrangling and economic despair.?
?We always need to created a stir, a big impact in international stage so that people all over the world will not look down at us; they will give us the respect that we deserve and they will no longer treat our overseas workers and domestic helpers like rags,? concluded Sumagaysay, who worked for six years in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia before opening the now famous Danny?s Restaurant and Catering Services.
The group will meet Iloilo Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr. before their departure second week of June.
Top photo: TEAM ILOILO. (L-R) Daniel Sumagaysay, Evelyn Palencia, Lornelan Caitan, Josefa Caitan, Jonavin Villalva.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
GM Antonio outwits Kazakh GM, shares lead
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 26 Oct 2025Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 25 Oct 2025DAVID ALCAIDE CROWNED INAUGURAL PHILIPPINES OPEN CHAMPION
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Bryce Mills vs. James Bernadin Venue Changed: Randolph House Hotel & Convention Center Will Host Pro/Am Card in Liverpool, New York
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Parker vs. Wardley: Who Will Keep Winning Streak Alive?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Elmo Traya, Reymond Yanong, Ivan Ognayon in Action in Brico Santig's Show Today in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Alessio Bisutti Fights for WBF Heavyweight World Title in Highland Show October 25 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVI AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Sat, 25 Oct 202530 people arrested in NBA gambling operation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 25 Oct 2025GM Joey beats CM Marc in Italy World Senior Standard chess tourney to climb at 2nd place
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Oct 2025RomyMac’s Ali memories
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Warriors Survive Gordon’s 50 to Beat Nuggets in Overtime 137-131
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Oct 2025