‘A star struck fan’ on Pacman

By: Bem Mitra

LOS ANGELES, Cal. – At the Palazzo Unit 40, Manny Pacquiao, the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world is eating breakfast – sinabawan nga isda, manok, kan-on kag chika chika.

He has friends, alalays, relatives and others hanging around this 1,500-square foot area, watching and waiting all at his beck and call. He takes his time, like a king, savoring every spoonful of Pinoy food he can take.

As I stood there I can't help but wonder, what the hell am I doing here? Watching this guy finish his food and talking nonsense – "We need to buy a new dining set.” “I need a new ping-pong table." "Magkano yun".

Gosh, I could be in Figaro and sipping Cafe Amerikano... But no, along with all others I stood there enthralled. I was even in anxiety mode, too much adrenalin from being a few feet away from this enigma who calls himself Pacman.

I realized this guy has "IT"! The big one, magnitude 11 perhaps if that number exists in earthquake scale. His charisma is unimaginable! Old and young gather around him but nobody distracts him, oh except for this one stupid guy that keeps taking pictures when the Boss already said no pix allowed on that particular time.

Pacquiao simply looked at him and said nothing. Reminds me of Al Pacino.

Breakfast done. I'm still there, watching and waiting like a hawk ready to pounce any moment I get the chance.

One must understand, Pacquiao does not follow any time frame, his time is his own, maybe with the exception of the Obama meeting. Nobody can really tell what the guy would do next.

Lucky me, he had to go to the Loo (comfort room). It was locked and I was there at the right place, and the right time... outside the Loo!

And so we talked, I gave him a copy of The Daily Guardian newspaper. I asked him a bit of what to expect from this fight and his plans for the future.

Humbly, and in Ilonggo, he told me that his focus now is November 12 (Nov. 13 in PHL). This date is special for him and he is focused and determined to show the world he is the best and nobody comes close. Politics has to wait for a few weeks.

Then the door opened and again I have to wait for Pacquiao, when he came out with all smile, I blurted “Success!” He's in a good mood, we continued talking and he signs all kinds of stuff while reviewing videos for his website. Fans as far as Germany were able to get his signature on their jackets, wallets, photos, shoes... etc! Unbelievable.

What separates Pacquiao from the rest is his tremendous ability to focus and his determination is beyond compare!

There is no doubt in my mind Manny will win this fight on Nov. 12, the real reason why I spend so much time watching and following him like a star struck fan.

The $100-million question in my mind – is this man going to be my country's president in 2022?

If his CT scan (of the head) is clear, then all roads will lead to him to Malacañang!

Negros Navigation, SuperFerry Moving Together Forward

IN THE spirit of solidarity, officers and staff of Negros Navigation-ATS trooped to the PPA Gym in Manila on September 30, 2011 for the annual Negros Navigation-ATS Employees’ Day.

Typhoon Quiel did not dampen the festive mood of the event as Sulficio Tagud Jr., NN-ATS Chairman, formally opened the affair. Inspired by the success of the Philippine Dragon Boat Team, Tagud encouraged everyone to move together forward.

“Like the Philippine Dragon Boat Team, every member of NN-ATS family should strive to work in harmony. Let us all move together forward and paddle our way to success.”

The celebration also marked the integration of Negros Navigation and SuperFerry workforce  to form the biggest inter-island shipping company in the Philppines.

“This is an important day in the Negros Navigation-ATS calendar. Not only does it unite employees behind one goal, it also serves to remind us that everyone is part of the company’s success,” Tagud said.