By Nikko Dizon
Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines–Boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao arrived Sunday morning in Manila, the Philippine Daily Inquirer has learned.
Pacquiao was on board Philippine Airlines (PAL) PR 103 from Los Angeles, California. The flight arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Centennial Terminal shortly before 6 a.m., various sources told the Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net.
For unknown reasons, Pacquiao abandoned his US training for his October grudge match against Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera and decided to return to Manila.
He left for the US only last August 7 with his corner man, Restituto Fernandez.
Pacquiao’s Aug. 7 departure from Manila created a stir at the airport when he could not decide whether to take the flight to LA or not, some 30 minutes before the flight’s scheduled departure.
Inquirer sources also said Pacquiao likewise insisted with PAL that Fernandez, who had a standing economy ticket, should travel with him in the business class section.
According to Inquirer sources, Pacquiao called up PAL president Jaime Bautista to allow Fernandez on the flight.
Pacquiao’s confidante, Rex “Wakee” Salud, volunteered to be offloaded so that Fernandez could be accommodated.
Bautista told the Inquirer that it was “one of Manny’s friends” who called him up and not the boxer himself.
Bautista said that PAL allowed Salud to be offloaded because Fernandez was able to upgrade his seat to business class.
But Inquirer sources said that this was not usually allowed by any airline.
August 14th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Manny could have problems with his handlers in the US - vested interests, maybe, or it could be his family, etc. Whatever Manny and Roach’s plans are, I am just wondering why we are quick to judge them who has been bringing honors to our country. Relax lang tayo - there could be reasons for Manny to decide what he likes to do in preparation for the bout. Bros, do we really know the real reason that’s why we judge him like this? One blogger is right when he said Manny could be fed up with handlers who “leech” on his earnings, couldn’t he? Bakit pag may dinalang honor si Manny, masaya tayo? It’s his career he protects and I don’t think it’s right to nose on all his movements. Are we thinking of the reactions of other sportsmen upon reading these commentaries? It is a shame that we are putting down our own instead of inspiring him. Of course he has his flaws but I don’t think he’s not protecting his career and unless we know the real reason, we must not fully judge him by his actions. We don’t measure others - or else we will be measured for what we ourselves do. Pag nanalo na naman si Manny, “he was right! pag natalo: “sinasabi ko na nga ba eh!” Do we do that to all our up and coming boxers?
August 14th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
hay naku ang gaganda ng mga comments ninyo…sana tagalog nalang para baka sakaling maintindihan ni manny at magising siya. marami humanga sa mga laban ni manny at kahit manalo at matalo patuloy parin ang paghanga sa kanya dahil sa pinapakita niyang pag kababa ng loob… pero dahil sa mga pulitiko na gumagamit sa kasikatan niya.. walang idinulot na maganda… sana at may panahon pa manny at iwan ang luho at bisyo manny di mawawala at maibabalik ang hanga ng mga kababyan mo… sana huwag kang tumulad sa mga dating sumikat na boksingero na ngayon ay sira lahat ang buhay nila….huwag sanang sabihin ng mga na tao na “wala kang katulad manny” ang ganda na ng buhay mo sinira mu pa!
August 14th, 2007 at 2:40 am
Hey, hold your horses. There must be a valid reason why he returned to Manila. Let’s not judged him this early.
Read this –> http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Sports&p=49&type=2&sec=30&aid=20070813165
August 13th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
from the time pacman, allowed himself to be seduced by malacanang to run as congressman of gensan I lost my admiration to this man. Oh Boy, not all the time lady luck is on your side. It only takes one good job and your out in business. He dont have to look far, nandiyan lang sa gensan ang perfect example if fame goes to your head, rolando navarette.
August 13th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
All this distractions are designed for Pacman to loose his bout with Barrera on October.
Pacman will sour grape blame all the distractions and will ask a no holds barb Three peat Fight with Barrera for a final decision, Before the 3rd fight, Pacman will Fight a warm up card.
And we, specially me who pays big bucks for his fights are the losers.
Mani Mani lang yan !
WALA KANG KATULAD TALAGA MONEY
http://www.sports-couch.blogspot.com
August 13th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Filipinos should not be looking up at this type of personalities, I do not see any semblance of partriotic fervor in this kind of endeavor, none at all. Heroes or national treasure are people who molds future generation with character, integrity and idealism. For me the true heroes are teachers (Rizal, Mabini, bonifacio and the likes) who shed blood and toils hard to instil knowledge to our sons and daughters. People like Pacquiao and his kind toils and shed blood to earn fame and fortune, such are a lowly achievement to uplift our society.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:52 am
malaki na nga masyado ulo ni manny.
pag di niya pinagbutihan niya traning niya sigurado bagsak siya.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Hindi lang lumalaki ang ulo ni pacman, tumitigas na rin ang “ulo” if it is true na umuwi siya because of ara mina. haayyy !!!! don’t ever understimate the power of a woman’s “punch”
August 13th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Wala na si Pacman. Nasira na ang diskarte sa buhay nya simula ng mapasok sa politika at showbiz. Sana matalo na lang sya sa susunod na laban nya para ma-realize nya ang kalokohan na ginagawa nya. Sobrang taas na pagtingin nya sa sarili nya, magandang makita na lumagapak sya sa lona para magising sya sa katotohanan na walang patutunguhan ang kayabangan nya.
August 12th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Sumubra na ang laki ng ulo ni Manny. Sa totoo lang, masyado siyang pinalaki ng media. Malayo siya kumapara kay Flash Elorde. Ang lahat ng nakalaban ni Flash noong araw ay pawang nasa kasikatan din nila but karamihan sa laban ni Manny ay laban sa mga may edad o has-been na. Wala naman siyang hawak na “world title” sa ngayon, di ba?
May panahon pa para magising siya at alagaan ang career niya.
August 12th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
pacquiao has gone further already. whats going on with his behavior lately is only a sign of his imminent downfall. pacquiao must bear in mind that people have short memory of the glory he had made for the filipino, but will have a long memory of the notoriety of his actions unbecoming a natonal hero.
hambog na sya masyado!
August 12th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
this is the beginning of the downfall of pacman, and i should be happy for that so that he can realize that fame is just superficial. he don’t deserve to be called a philippine treasure because of his bully attitude, and the philippine government or any businessmen that who would like to endorse their product through pacman should think a lot of times before doing so…..pacman is a bad example. he is not like this before…..i think he miss the charisma of ara mina. mrs. pacman be aware.
August 12th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
I think all these attentions and adulations are getting to his head … and he’s not even a holder of a real world title yet. What a swellhead!
August 12th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Tsk tsk tsk, si Manny lumaki na ang ulo. I think this is the start of his downfall…from election defeat, tax misdeclaration of his Cayenne SUV, missed the promo for World Boxing bout, quarrel with Freddie Roach, and the list is growing.
It’s not too late yet Manny, put your act where it should be and we as your fans will stick with you.
August 12th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
The power that Pacman was abe to handle was primal - his physical prowess able to knock the daylights out of the best boxers in his weight class. And because of this, he eventually acquired the power of fame and wealth - both very new to the power of his mind.
Obviously, Pacquiao is merely exercising his new-found powers. Perhaps because he is hot stuff now, he can afford to fumble and eventually come to terms with them.
There ought to be a law to protect and give guidelines to national treasures with the likes of Manny and Efren Bata. A certain amount of their winnings should probably be put in Trust - at least the cash rewards given by Malacanang.
It would be harsh to judge Manny’s acquired attitudes now because he simply does not know any better. Others, like Mike Tyson, Rolando Navarette and Jockey Jesus, and some PBA ex-stars have done worse. A few, like Efren Bata, Jawo, and Mon Fernandez have handled themselves superbly.
Manny now acts according to his instincts. He is probably sick and tired of all the advisers and users that have clung to him like barnacles. The way I see it, he has taken exclusive control to what direction he is headed to, and I don’t like the looks of it. But neither did I like the looks of it when he miserably lost his bearings under the guidance of top politicians.
Nevertheless, I wish him all the luck in a hopefully swift learning curve.
August 12th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Manny Pacquiao is behaving like a spoiled brat. His training is extremely important and now, he probably has vexed a lot of people including fans alike with his professional attitude. Whatever it is that is bugging him, it is not doing him good but a gargantuan harm. He should prudently listen to de la Hoya’s golden word:reform. And ASAP! With ego as big as ‘caldero’, Manny is headed to the pits of oblivion. It is annoying enough to delay training, it is much more irritating to hear he had more time for extra curriculars.
Everyone is looking at your moves, Manny. You are an icon but don’t be bullheaded to think you will last long in the boxing industry with a very bratty attitude. NO ONE IS INDISPENSABLE.
Think about it, if you have not lost your head–if ever you had one, anyway.
August 12th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
[...] Sports Aficionado : Pacquiao arrives in Manila after cutting short US training [...]