?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:
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
Sat, 13 Dec 2025SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Jeremy Marticio wins IIEE SIKAT, ICFF won PTC World Engineering Opening
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Facularin to fight Torres on December 13 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Baricuatro wins, Veloso falters in SEAG boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025BASH BOXING AND UP NEXT FIGHTING RETURN WITH SPECIAL EDITION UNF 29 TOMORROW NIGHT AT ACE · MISSION STUDIOS IN LOS ANGELES
Fri, 12 Dec 2025MERCADO AIMING TO SEND MESSAGE TO 140LB RIVALS
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Sullivan Management signs Influencer/pro boxer Brooklyn Barwick
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Round 12: Successful WBC Annual Convention in Bangkok (Photos)
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Halfway Point Surpassed at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Fri, 12 Dec 2025