PACQUIAO GODFATHER LEADS 'PRAYERS FOR MANNY'
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 01 Dec 2008
LOS ANGELES, California -- One of Manny Pacquiao's most respected spiritual advisers who arrived here all the way from Gen. Santos City, Philippines, said he came here not only to be part of history "but to offer prayers for Manny Pacquiao."
Andriano "Rey" Gollingan, president of Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) in General Santos City and owner of the gym where Pacquiao trains when he was in the amateur, said although Oscar De La Hoya is taller and bigger, "prayers can move mountains."
Part of Golingan's "task" is to join the Pacquiao couple in a regular prayer session together with select individuals and family members every night when Team Pacquiao hits Las Vegas this week.
Golingan, an active member of the Rotary Club and a religious leader in Mindanao, also doesn't miss attending mass together with the couple everytime he is in the United States.
Golingan, who is also the Pacquiao couple's wedding godfather, was Pacquiao's mentor before the best boxer pound-for-pound became a ring phenom when he went to Metro Manila in 1995 to try his luck in professional boxing.
When Golingan visits his godson at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood, Pacquiao would approach him and grab Golingan's hand and place it on his head as a sign of respect for elders which is traditionally done in rural areas in the Philippines.
"That's how Manny respects him. Manny considers Rey as an effective spiritual adviser who gives him good advices on how to manage his career and financial affairs and guidance like a true father," said Bacolod city mayor Bing Leonardia, who carried Pacquiao's WBC belt in the ring.
Golingan headed an amateur boxing team backed by Pacquiao which won the overall crown in a tournament in Bacolod city during the Masskara Festival in October.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
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