Dr. Fe Del Mundo is a world-renowned Filipino Pediatrician who is considered as the first woman ever admitted to the Harvard Medical School. Some sources also cite her as possibly the first woman enrolled in Pediatrics and even as the first Filipino and Asian ever admitted to the school.
Continue Leave a Comment August 23, 2010
Of all the twenty-something women who are hopeless romantics, Ellie Manuel is more “hopeless” than “romantic.”
Continue Leave a Comment August 6, 2010
If you’re a fan of Twilight and the popular fiction genre of vampire romance, you might have already stumbled upon the “Blue Bloods” series. Set in Manhattan, New York, the books follow the lives of Schuyler Van Alen and a group of privileged, upper-class teenagers called Blue Bloods, who are actually fallen angels-turned-vampires who try to regain their angelic grace and status through good works (i.e. elite New Yorkers doing charity work).
Continue Leave a Comment July 28, 2010
The Philippines’ 40 Richest
Ref: Forbes
RANK NAME NET WORTH ($MIL) AGE
1 Henry Sy 3,800 84
2 Lucio Tan 1,700 75
3 Jaime Zobel de Ayala 1,200 75
4 Andrew Tan 850 57
5 John Gokongwei 720 82
6 Tony Tan Caktiong 710 59
7 Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. 660 74
8 Enrique Razon Jr. 620 49
9 Manuel Villar 530 59
10 George Ty 515 76
11 Emilio Yap 510 83
12 Inigo & Mercedes Zobel 440 NA
13 Beatrice Campos 410 NA
14 Vivian Que Azcona 390 NA
15 Oscar Lopez 350 79
16 Andrew Gotianun 310 81
17 David Consunji 300 88
18 Robert Coyiuto Jr. 290 56
19 Alfonso Yuchengco 230 86
20 Mariano Tan 180 NA
21 Menardo Jimenez 160 77
22 Gilberto M. Duavit 159 74
23 Felipe Gozon 135 69
24 Jon Ramon Aboitiz 125 60
25 Betty Ang 120 NA
26 Alfredo Ramos 115 65
27 Manuel Zamora Jr. 110 69
28 Bienvenido R. Tantoco Sr. 90 88
29 Tomas Alcantara 75 63
30 Benjamin Romualdez 70 79
31 Wilfred Uytengsu Sr. 65 81
32 Lourdes Montinola 60 81
33 Luis Virata 56 55
34 Eugenio Lopez III 55 57
35 Enrique Aboitiz 53 87
36 Philip Ang 50 68
37 Jesus Tambunting 45 72
38 Frederick Dy 40 54
39 Rolando & Rosalinda Hortaleza 39 50/52
40 Marian Rosario Fong 38 NA
Leave a Comment October 19, 2009
Manuel “Manny” Bamba Villar, Jr. (born December 13, 1949) is a Filipino businessman and politician. He is the President of the Nacionalista Party and a member of the Senate of the Philippines. Villar was Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1998 to 2000—in which capacity he presided over the impeachment of President Joseph Estrada—as well as President of the Senate from 2006 to 2008.
He assumed the Senate presidency at the beginning of the Third Regular Session of the 13th Congress, as part of a power-sharing agreement with his predecessor Sen. Franklin Drilon. On November 17, 2008, resigned due to lack of support in the Senate.
He is recognized as the richest legislator in Philippine history where he was consistently the richest congressman from 1992 to 2001 and richest senator from 2001 until 2008 with a net worth of P1.04 billion.[1] On the Forbes Magazine released October 2007, its list of “The Philippines’ 40 Richest”, he is ranked 5th and the year’s biggest gainer. From $110 million last year, his net worth shot up 755% to $940 million after the public offering of his company Vista Land & Lifescapes.
Senator Manny Villar’s wife is Cynthia A. Villar, currently the representative of the lone congressional district of Las Piñas. He has two sons (Paolo and Mark) and a daughter (Camille).
Manuel “Manny” Bamba Villar Jr. was born on December 13, 1949 in Moriones, Tondo Manila. His father, Manuel Montalban Villar, Sr., a government employee, hailed from Cabatuan, Iloilo and his mother Curita Bamba, a seafood dealer, came from Pampanga and Bataan. The second of nine children, Villar attended Holy Child Catholic School and started selling seafood at the Divisoria Market at an early age.
While Manny Villar was a working student, he was also putting in long hours as a fish and shrimp trader: working where the action starts during the wee hours of the morning when the freshly caught seafood arrives at market grounds.[citation needed] As a working student, he was able to put himself through school by finishing his studies at the University of the Philippines where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Business Administration.
After graduation, he tried his hand as an accountant at the country’s biggest accounting firm, Sycip, Gorres, Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.). He resigned shortly though to venture on his own seafood delivery business.[2]
When a restaurant he was delivering stocks to did not pay him, he printed out “meal tickets” which he persuaded the restaurant owners to honor. He then sold these tickets at a discounted price to office workers. It took him one year to liquidate his receivables.
He worked briefly as a financial analyst at the Private Development Corporation of the Philippines. His job was to sell World Bank loans; despite their attractive rates there were no takers. Convinced that he could make it on his own again, he quit his job and promptly availed of one of the loans.
In 1975, with an initial capital of P10,000, Villar purchased two reconditioned trucks and started his sand-and-gravel business in Las Piñas.
He then went on to establish one of the largest development firms in the Southeast Asian region, the Camella & Palmera Homes[citation needed]. Originally low-end developers, the company has recently started selling more high end homes under the Crown Asia brand name, although criticism have been voiced in the press of many such developments in Cebu, and Davao
He earned citations such as the Ten Outstanding Young Men in 1986, the Agora Award for Marketing Management in 1989, Most Outstanding CPA by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 1990, and Most Outstanding Alumnus in 1991.
Villar entered politics in 1992, and was elected to the House of Representatives, representing the district of Las Piñas-Muntinlupa (and later the district of Las Piñas City).[5] In 1998, he was chosen Speaker of the House of Representatives.
On November 13, 2000, he presided over the impeachment of President Joseph Estrada, paving the way for the elevation of the articles of impeachment to the Senate.
Villar was elected to the Senate in 2001. At the start of legislative sessions, he was chosen as Senate President Pro Tempore, a position he held until 2003.
In February 2004, he was elected as President of the Nacionalista Party, the country’s oldest political party. He was also named the Most Distinguished UP Alumnus—the highest recognition given by the UP Alumni Association—for his exemplary public service and achievements.[6] After the 2004 elections, he initially planned to run for the Senate presidency but agreed to let the incumbent, Franklin Drilon, finish his turn as Senate President until June 2006. Honoring the said agreement, his fellow senators unanimously elected him as Senate President on July 24, 2006.
Villar won reelection to the Senate in 2007. At the start of legislative sessions he was chosen Senate President, defeating Aquilino Pimentel by a vote of 15–7.
Villar Jr., on June 6, 2008, announced that he is 99% joining the Philippine general election, 2010 (one percent, is on the possibility of no election), amid his nomination of the Nacionalista Party (NP), chaired by him. Villar stated that: “We are prepared to have alliance with other political parties.” On September 4, 2008, Villar formally declared and confirmed his presidential candidacy.
source: Wikipedia
Leave a Comment October 19, 2009
John L. Gokongwei, Jr. (born August 11, 1926 in Gulangyu, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China) is a Chinese Filipino businessman with holdings in telecom, financial services, petrochemicals, power, aviation and hog farming. In 2008, Gokongwei has a networth of $680 million.
His father, John Gokongwei Sr. the founder of Universal Robina Corporation. He is the chairman of JG Summit Holdings, one of largest conglomerates in the Philippines. In 2005, his company had spent $700 million of internally generated funds for buying new aircraft for his airline, Cebu Pacific Air, the largest carrier in the Philippines.
From 2003 up to the present his telecom arm Digital Telecommunications Philippines spent nearly $800 million for its mobile unit Sun Cellular which is the 3rd largest mobile operator in the Philippines as of 2008. He is currently negotiating a $1 billion takeover of UIC a property giant from Singapore of which he owns in excess of 30%. UIC controls Singapore Land one of the biggest property landlord in Singapore.
Gokongwei also owns Universal Robina Corporation, largest manufacturer of snacks in the Philippines and the maker of the very successful C2 green tea drink in the country. He also controls Robinsons Land one of the biggest property concerns in the Philippines that operates the Robinsons Malls.
He was born into a wealthy Cebu-based family, originally from China’s Fujian province. The family fortune was lost when his affluent father died. He started his business career during World War II, buying and selling rice, cloth and scrap metal. He is married, and has six children. His only son Lance Gokongwei is now in charge of the Gokongwei Empire serving as president and COO while his father serves as Chairman Emeritus. Although, his family affords luxury in life he encourages his family especially his eldest grandchild Isabelle Gokongwei to participate not only in socialite happenings but as well as charity events.
On August 29, 2007, at the Ateneo de Manila University, Gokongwei’s book, “John L. Gokongwei Jr.: The Path of Entrepreneurship” by the University’s Dr. Marites A. Khanser, was launched, and it narrated the “riches-to-rags-to-riches” story of the tai-pan.
Gokongwei stated that entrepreneurship is a way out of poverty. In 2002 Gokongwei donated P200-million to the undergraduate school of management. and he also made donations to University of San Carlos, Xavier School, De La Salle University, Sacred Heart School and Immaculate Conception Academy.
On February, 2008,Forbes Asia magazine’s first Heroes of Philanthropy list included 4 Filipinos – Jaime Zobel de Ayala, John Gokongwei, Ramón del Rosario Jr., and Óscar López. The list is composed of 4 philanthropists each from 13 selected countries and territories in Asia.
Source: Wikipedia
Leave a Comment October 19, 2009
10 Most Inspiring Technopreneurs in the Philippines:
1. Diosdado Banatao (Computer Chips- Mostron and S3)
2. Nonoy & Ben Colayco (Online Gaming- Level Up)
3. Joey Gurango (Software Development- Webworks OS)
4. Danilo Manayaga (Biotechnology- Servac Philippines)
5.Dennis Mendiola (Wireless Technology- Chikka Asia)
6. Manny Pangilinan (Telecommunications- First Pacific, PLDT,)
7. Dr. William Torres (RP Internet Pioneer- Mozcom)
8. Peter Valdes (software development- Vinta Systems )
9. Orlando Vea (Mobile Communications/New Media – SMART founder, MediaQuest)
10. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II (Diversified IT investing-iAyala)
Leave a Comment October 16, 2009
Henry Sy, Sr. is a Chinese Filipino businessman and the founder of SM Group and chairman of SM Prime Holdings, the largest retailer and shopping mall operator in the Philippines. He earned his Associate of Arts degree in Commercial Studies at Far Eastern University in 1950. Acknowledged as the country’s “Retail King,”
he has come a long way from the modest shoe store he set up in Quiapo in 1946, to become Asia’s biggest shopping mall operator with over 30 malls throughout the Philippines.
He is the Philippines’ richest man, gaining 1.4 billion dollars in 2007, amid the global financial crisis. The huge gain was due to his holding company, SM Investments Corp., which has interests in Banco de Oro Universal Bank, inter alia. Forbes magazine’s 2008 list of 40 wealthiest Filipinos, revealed the Sy family’s net worth was 3.1 billion dollars. Earlier, he was the 2nd wealthiest individual in the Philippines, next to Lucio Tan and (as of 2008) 843rd in the world. As of September 2009 Mr.Sy’s net worth was estimated at $3.8 billion by forbes asia topping the Philippines rich list. Sy is considered a Tai-Pan or tycoon of Asia. The Sy group is the operator of Banco de Oro Universal Bank and owner of China Banking Corporation.[citation needed] In 2006, he bought the remaining 66% of Equitable PCI Bank, the Philippines 3rd largest lender, in which he already had a 34% stake, and merged it with Banco de Oro Universal Bank in 2007.[citation needed] The merger created the Philippine’s second largest financial institution in 2008 and taking the top spot in 2009 with resources of close to $20 billion dollars.[citation needed] A conspiracy tell that the Sy family has a personal stake of $4 billion in these 3 banks, although there are still no sufficient evidences that strongly substantiate such matter.[citation needed] Mr. Sy has recently sold his 11% stake in San Miguel Corporation, Southeast Asia’s largest food and beverage conglomerate for $680 million.
Henry Sy, Sr., was named “Management Man of the Year” by the Makati Business Club and was conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Business Management by De La Salle University-Manila in January 1999. He organized the SM Foundation Inc., which helps underprivileged but promising young Filipinos.
Sy’s retail chain is SM Prime Holdings, known as “Shoe Mart” or simply “SM”. Several of his children now hold senior management positions in his companies, although he has groomed daughter Teresita Sy-Coson and his grandchildren Hailey Sy-Coson, Darcie Sy and Josiah Sy as his successors.
Sy’s holding company, SM Investments Corp., has consistently been cited as one of the Philippines best-managed companies.[citation needed] On May 20, 2006, The SM Mall of Asia, built in the reclamation area of Pasay City, was opened to the public. It is the sixth-largest mall in the world.
Leave a Comment October 16, 2009
Tony Tan Caktiong is the founder and current Chairman and CEO of Philippine fast food chain Jollibee. He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in chemical engineering. Caktiong had initially planned an ice cream parlor when he founded Jollibee, then subsequently added additional dishes such as hamburgers, french fries, and fried chicken.
Caktiong, on July 8, 2008 was elected board director of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT)’s 11-member board replacing Ma. Lourdes Rausa-Chan. He is also an independent director of First Gen Corp.[1] Also, Caktiong top billed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) video documentaries[1]. The WIPO webcast page featured personalities chosen from the 184 member states.
Awards
Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines, 2004
Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year World, 2004
Caktiong founded the fast food chain Jollibee in 1978, after having started it as an ice cream parlor in 1975.[4] Through expansion and acquisitions of Greenwich Pizza in 1994 [4] Corp. in 1994 enabling it to penetrate the pizza-pasta segment. From a 50-branch operation, Greenwich has established a strong presence in the food service industry. In early 2006, Jollibee Foods Corp. bought out the remaining shares of its partners in Greenwich Pizza Corp., equivalent to a 20% stake, for P384 million in cash.[5], Chowking in 2000 [6][7] and Hongzhuangyuan in 2007 [8], he has turned it into one of the largest fast-food chins in the world. As of August 2008, Tan’s Jollibee has a total of 1,480 stores worldwide including Jollibee, Red Ribbon, Chowking, Greenwich, Delifrance Philippines and Manong Pepe’s.
source: Wikipedia
Leave a Comment October 16, 2009
Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao; born December 17, 1978) is a Filipino professional boxer. He is the former WBC Lightweight world champion, WBC Super Featherweight world champion, IBF Super Bantamweight world champion, and WBC Flyweight world champion. He has also held the Ring Magazine titles for Featherweight, Super Featherweight, and Light Welterweight divisions. For his achievements, he became the first Filipino and Asian boxer to win five world titles in five different weight divisions. He is currently the IBO and Ring Magazine Light Welterweight champion and is rated by the Ring Magazine as the #1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world. He is also the first boxer to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes.
Aside from being a boxer, he has also participated in politics, acting and music recording.
Pacquiao was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Mindanao and currently resides in his home town General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines. He is married to Jinkee Pacquiao and they have four children. He has finished only elementary education. Despite such educational attainment, he recently took high school equivalency test and he passed.
Boxing career
Pacquiao started his professional boxing career at the age of 16 at 106 lbs (Light Flyweight). His early fights took place in small local venues and were shown on Vintage Sports’ Blow by Blow, an evening boxing show. His professional debut was a 4-round bout against Edmund “Enting” Ignacio on January 22, 1995, which Pacquiao won via decision, becoming an instant star of the program. Close friend Mark Penaflorida’s death in 1994 spurred the young Pacquiao to pursue a professional boxing career.
His weight increased from 106 to 113 lbs before losing in his 12th bout against Rustico Torrecampo via a third-round knockout (KO). Pacquiao had not made the weight. So he was forced to use heavier gloves than Torrecampo, thereby putting Pacquiao at a disadvantage.
Shortly after the Torrecampo fight, Pacquiao settled at 112 lbs, winning the WBC Flyweight title over Chatchai Sasakul in the eighth round only to lose it in his second defense against Medgoen Singsurat, also known as Medgoen 3K Battery, via a third-round knockout on a bout held at Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Technically, Pacquiao lost the belt at the scales as he surpassed the weight limit of 112 lbs (51 kg).
Following his loss to Singsurat, Pacquiao gained weight anew. This time, Pacquiao went to the Super Bantamweight division of 122 lbs (55 kg), where he picked up the WBC International Super Bantamweight title. He defended the title five times before his chance for a world title fight came.
Pacquiao’s big break came on June 23, 2001, against IBF Super Bantamweight champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba. Pacquiao stepped into the fight as a late replacement and won the fight by technical knockout to become the IBF Super Bantamweight champion on a bout held at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada. He defended this title five times and fought to a sixth-round draw against Agapito Sánchez in a bout that was stopped early after Pacquiao received 2 headbutts.
1st fight with Barrera
Pacquiao with his trainer Freddie Roach at Pacquiao’s Christmas and birthday bash, Los Angeles, CA.
Pacquiao went on to defend his title four times with expert training from Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym, improving his hand speed and mental preparation before the match that many consider to have defined his career, a bout against Marco Antonio Barrera. Pacquiao, moving up in weight and in his first fight ever in the Featherweight division, brought his power with him and defeated Barrera via a TKO in the 11th round at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas. Although this fight was not recognized as a title fight by any sanctioning bodies, Pacquiao was recognized as world champion by Ring Magazine after his victory,[8] and he held that title until relinquishing it in 2005.
1st fight with Márquez
Only 6 months removed from his win over Barrera, Pacquiao went on to challenge another respected Mexican counterpuncher, Juan Manuel Márquez, then holder of the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight titles. The fight held at the MGM Grand ended in a controversial draw after he knocked down Márquez three times in the first round but lost most of the latter rounds. One of the judges later admitted to making an error in the scorecards because he scored the first round as “10-7″ in favor of Pacquiao instead of the standard “10-6″ for a three-knockdown round.
1st fight with Morales
Pacquiao once again moved up another division from 126 to 130 lbs to fight another Mexican legend, three-time division champion Érik Morales on March 19, 2005, at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. However, this time around, at his first fight in the Super Featherweight division, Pacquiao lost the 12-round match by a unanimous decision from the judges.
WBC International Super Featherweight title
On September 10, 2005, Manny Pacquiao fought Héctor Velázquez at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. He knocked Velázquez out in 6 rounds to capture the WBC International Super Featherweight title. On the same day, his rival, Erik Morales, fought against Zahir Raheem. However, Morales fought a lackluster performance, losing to Raheem via unanimous decision.
2nd bout with Morales
The much-anticipated rematch between Pacquiao and Morales happened on January 21, 2006 at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. In that fight, Morales escaped being knocked down twice, one during the 2nd round by holding on to the ropes and the other on the 6th round by falling on the referee’s body. Pacquiao eventually knocked Morales out in the 10th round, dealing him the first knockout loss in his boxing career.
Oscar Larios
On July 2, 2006, Pacquiao defeated Óscar Larios, a two-time Super Bantamweight champion who had moved up two weight divisions in order to face Pacquiao. Despite his camp’s big promise of an early knockout, the fight went until the final round, with Pacquiao knocking down Larios two times during the 12-round bout for the WBC International Super Featherweight title held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines.
Final bout with Morales
Pacquiao fighting Érik Morales in their third match.
Pacquiao and Morales fought for a third time (with the series tied 1-all) on November 18, 2006. Witnessed by a near-record crowd of 18,276, the match saw Pacquiao defeating Morales via a third-round knockout at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
After the Pacquiao-Morales rematch, Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s main promoter, announced that Manny returned his signing bonus check back to Golden Boy Promotions, signaling intentions to stay with Top Rank. This resulted in GBP’s decision to sue Pacquiao over contractual breaches.[11]
At the end of 2006, he was named by both HBO and Ring Magazine as the “Fighter of the Year”, with HBO also naming him as the most exciting fighter of the year.
Jorge Solis
After a failed promotional negotiation with Marco Antonio Barrera’s camp, Bob Arum chose Jorge Solís as Pacquiao’s next opponent among several fighters that Arum offered him to fight as a replacement. The bout was held in San Antonio, Texas on April 14, 2007. In the sixth round of the bout, an accidental headbutt occurred, giving Pacquiao a cut under his left eyebrow. The fight ended in the eighth round when Pacquiao knocked Solis down twice; with Solis barely beating the count after the second knockdown, the referee (who was also a doctor) was prompted to stop the fight. The victory raised Pacquiao’s win-loss-draw record to 44-3-2, with 34 knockouts.
Second bout with Barrera
On June 29, 2007, it was announced that Top Rank and GBP agreed to settle their lawsuit, meaning the long-awaited rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera will occur despite being the #1 contender for the Super Featherweight title of Juan Manuel Márquez.
Since Bob Arum was out on a vacation, GBP’s chief executive Richard Schaefer politely declined to discuss Pacquiao’s purse from the October 6, 2007 rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera (at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas). However, Pacquiao was likely to get a purse of $5 million, plus possibly a share of the pay-per-view rights.[12] Pacquiao defeated Barrera in their rematch via an easy unanimous decision. In the 11th round, Pacquiao’s punch caused a deep cut under Barrera’s right eye. Barrera retaliated with an illegal punch on the break that dazed Pacquiao but also caused the referee to deduct a point from Barrera. Two judges scored the bout 118-109, whereas the third scored it 115-112.
Other events
In The Ring Magazine, Pacquiao (45-3-2) remained at the top of the Junior Lightweight division (130 lbs). He had been in the ratings for 108 weeks. Pacquiao was also at No. 2 in the pound-for-pound category behind former Welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.
On November 13, 2007, he was honored by the WBC as Champ Emeritus during its 45th Annual World Convention held at the Manila Hotel.
On November 20, 2007, José Nuñez, manager of WBO Super Featherweight champion Joan Guzmán, accused Pacquiao’s handler Bob Arum of evading a match between the two boxers to protect Pacquiao.[17] Guzmán went as far as to directly call out Pacquiao at the postfight press conference of the Pacquiao-Barrera rematch in front of a stunned crowd at the Mandalay Bay Events Center’s media room in Las Vegas.
The 240-member House of Representatives of the Philippines, on August 7, 2008, issued a Resolution, sponsored by South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, which recognized Pacquiao as “a people’s champ” – “for his achievements and in appreciation of the honor and inspiration he has been bringing … to the Filipino people.” He received a plaque from Speaker Prospero Nograles.
On July, 2008, it was announced that Pacquiao would be the flag bearer of the Philippines at the 2008 Summer Olympics.[21] He became the first Filipino Olympic non-participant to be Team Philippines’ flag-bearer during the August 8 opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium. Swimmer Miguel Molina, 2005 Southeast Asian Games’ Best Male Athlete, yielded the honor to Pacquiao, upon Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s request to national sports officials on the Philippines at the 2008 Summer Olympics.[22]
Rematch with Márquez
Pacquiao fighting Juan Manuel Márquez in their second bout.
On March 15, 2008, in a rematch against Juan Manuel Márquez called “Unfinished Business”, Pacquiao won via a disputed split decision in a close, hard fought battle in which Pacquiao knocked Márquez down in round 3. Pacquiao won the WBC and The Ring Super Featherweight belts, making him the first Filipino to win three world titles in three different weight divisions (Pacquiao was a former WBC Flyweight champion and former IBF Super Bantamweight champion).
During the postfight interview, Márquez’s camp called for an immediate rematch. Richard Schaefer, GBP CEO, offered a $6-million guarantee to Pacquiao for a rematch. Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, still stinging from the less-than-stellar revenue from Kelly Pavlik’s immediate rematch with Jermain Taylor, said the fight will probably happen but only after there is time to “put a little air under it.” Pacquiao, for his part, said “I don’t think so, this business is over” because he planned to move to lightweight (135 lbs) to challenge David Díaz, the reigning WBC Lightweight champion at that time. Díaz won the majority decision over Ramón Montano that night as an undercard of the “Unfinished Business” fight.
WBC Lightweight title
On June 28, 2008, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Pacquiao defeated David Díaz via ninth-round knockout to become the WBC Lightweight champion. With the victory, Pacquiao became the only Filipino and Asian boxer to win four major titles in four weight classes and also became the first Filipino fighter to ever win a world title at Lightweight.[23][24] The fight ended at 2:23 of the ninth round and was viewed by 8,362 spectators. Bob Arum announced that Pacquiao is most likely to fight November 15[25] versus 130-lb Venezuelan champion Edwin Valero or Humberto Soto in Planet Hollywood, and he also mentioned the name of WBA, WBO, and IBF Lightweight champion Nate Campbell. “I can fight in November,” Pacquiao stated, “Who I fight is the job of my promoter (Bob Arum).” Díaz had his best payday, $850,000, and Pacquiao earned at least $3 million.
Bob Arum reported that the Pacquiao-David Díaz fight which made $ 12.5-M (250,000 pay-per-view subscriptions at $ 49.95 each), paled in comparison to the 400,000 in the Márquez showdown. The sales reached over $20 million. Pacquiao’s 3 classic fights with Érik Morales earned a combined sales of 1 million pay-per-view hits. After HBO and Top Rank get their share, Pacquiao and Díaz will get theirs based on the contract, that is, in addition to the $ 3 million contract pay. Official records revealed an attendance of only 8,362 tickets of the seating capacity of 12,000.
Meanwhile, WBC president Don José Sulaimán clarified that Pacquiao is not a 5-division but 4-division world champion, because the November 2003 Barrera fight was a non-title bout.
Holding both the WBC Super Featherweight and Lightweight titles following the win, Pacquiao decided to vacate his Super Featherweight title in July 2008 in order to defend his Lightweight crown.
Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya
Main article: The Dream Match
On December 6, 2008, Pacquiao faced Oscar De La Hoya at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a fight called Dream Match. Pacquiao asserted himself over De La Hoya from the first round till the eighth round. De La Hoya’s corner threw in the towel before the start of the 9th round. Pacquiao won via technical knockout.
Presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, Inc., the bout was scheduled as a 12-round, non-title fight contested at the 147-pound Welterweight limit. Although Pacquiao went into the fight widely recognized as the leading pound-for-pound boxer in the world, some boxing pundits had speculated that 147 pounds could be too far above his natural weight against the larger De La Hoya.
Pacquiao received $15 to 30 million (share of the pay-per-view), plus a guaranteed amount.
Tickets reportedly sold out just hours after they went on sale. The total gate revenues were said to be nearly $17 million dollars. That amount apparently gave the bout the second largest gate revenue in boxing history.
Pacquiao vs. Hatton
Main article: Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao
On May 2, 2009, Pacquiao fought Ricky Hatton for the IBO and Ring Magazine Light Welterweight titles[36] at MGM Grand Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The fight was originally placed in jeopardy due to disputes with both camps over the fight purse money. Eventually, the money issue was settled and the fight went on as scheduled. HBO aired the contest.[38]
Pacquiao started the fight strong, knocking down a sluggish Hatton twice in the first round. At the bell, Hatton seemed to have re-grouped, only to get knocked down for the third time 2:59 into the second round, awarding Pacquiao the win by KO.
Political career
Pacquiao ran for a congressional seat to represent the 1st district of South Cotabato, but he was defeated by Darlene Antonino-Custodio. Custodio had 139,061 votes, whereas Pacquiao received 75,908 votes.[47]
Pacquiao has said he will enter politics after he ends his boxing career. He quietly visited the Philippine Commission on Elections, escorted by Arnold “Ali” Atienza (son of then-Manila Mayor Lito Atienza), to transfer his residence from General Santos City to Manila.[48] This fueled speculations that he may seek an elective post in the nation’s capital, which even gave him the title “Adopted Son” after he won his earlier bouts.
His name was once mentioned as a possible vice-mayoralty candidate to the younger Atienza when the latter sought the city’s highest post in the 2007 elections, but this did not pan out after Sen. Panfilo Lacson, then the leading candidate for Manila mayor, backed out for contentions regarding Lacson’s residency issues (in which Pacquiao also had such issues).
Being known as an Arroyo supporter, his name is also being floated as a candidate of the Lakas-CMD party for the mayoralty race of General Santos City against incumbent Mayor Pedro Acharon. Instead, he was recently sworn-in as a member of the Liberal Party under the Atienza wing, thus further fueling his political ambition.
On February 12, 2007, the famed boxer announced that he was running for congress representing South Cotabato.[49] His decision however easily turned off both his fans and the general public.[50] Election experts stressed that as Pacquiao insists on participating in his next professional boxing match, he will immerse himself into a legal conflict regarding campaign exposure, especially since the match will be televised nationwide. Aside from that, COMELEC commissioner Benjamin Abalos mentioned a possible legal entanglement could ruin Pacquiao’s candidacy because he already registered himself as a Manila resident months before.
Numerous sports personalities and analysts around the Philippines expressed that Pacquiao should think seriously and deeply about his sports career, which could potentially be destroyed by the dirty world of politics. On February 24, 2007, in Cebu City, Pacquiao was booed by thousands of spectators as his presence was acknowledged by the organizers of The Battle of Cebu, a WBO-sanctioned boxing festival.
The embarrassment later led to confusing statements made by then-Manila Mayor Lito Atienza[56] that the famed fighter would withdraw. The negative sentiment among Cebuanos over Pacquiao’s political aspiration was felt even before the “The Battle of Cebu” was held because at least one citizen’s comment got published by local newspaper Sun Star.
In relation to the Pacquiao’s April 14 fight with Jorge Solis, the political opposition stated that they would not press for a ban on the broadcasting of the match despite its potential to violate election campaign rules.[58] Although he won over Solis, Pacquiao’s appeal diminished most likely due to his political ambition. His last fight attracted noticeably smaller audiences, and his performance was considered by many as disappointing.[59][60] Some election candidates even turned the Pacquiao-Solis match into campaign gigs. Over at General Santos City, Diocese of Marbel spokesman Fr. Angel Buenavides considered President Arroyo’s endorsement of Pacquiao as a “curse” because constituents in the area have strong anti-Arroyo sentiments.
On May 17, 2007, Pacquiao suffered a lopsided election defeat to incumbent representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio, with a deficit of approximately 37,000 votes according to the NAMFREL tally. Meanwhile, WBC head José Sulaimán stated that Pacquiao “doesn’t appear to be having the same dynamic impact at the ballot box, as he does in the ringed square.”The defeat became a depressing matter for the boxer himself because he lost a huge sum of money when his supporters allegedly funneled campaign funds to their own pockets. Pacquiao’s personal money was part of the campaign budget. Ironically, Pacquiao’s fans rejoiced over his defeat.[65] Some even declared his loss as a “victory” for boxing. On May 20, 2007, Manny Pacquiao formally conceded to congresswoman Antonino-Custodio, vowing to return to boxing and spend more time with his family.
In August 2007, Pacquiao filed a P30-million libel suit against four journalists of the Manila Bulletin due to an article which stated that he “is reported to be a compulsive gambler and is known to bet hundreds of thousand in casinos, cockfighting, and billiards. The case was later dismissed via “affidavit of desistance”, and Pacquiao stated that pursuing the case would only cause inconvenience to him and his family.
On September 1, 2008, Pacquiao was sworn by Secretary Ronaldo Puno, as member of Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi). Pacquiao officially announced that he is retiring in August 2009, and will be running again in the Philippine general election.
A film based on Pacquiao’s life, Pacquiao: The Movie, was released on June 21, 2006, featuring Filipino actor Jericho Rosales as Manny Pacquiao and was directed by Joel Lamangan.[73] The film flopped at the box office, grossing a total of only P4,812,191 (approximately US$99,322), as confirmed by Lamangan. In 2008, Pacquiao starred with Ara Mina and Valerie Concepcion in his latest action movie titled “Anak ng Kumander”. The movie was not a commercial success and was panned by critics.
Pacquiao is featured in the boxing video games Fight Night Round 2, Fight Night Round 3 and Fight Night Round 4. EA Sports released a limited edition demo of Fight Night Round 4, featuring Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton prior to their May 2 fight.
He became the first Filipino athlete to appear on a postage stamp.
With his popularity, various business sectors have solicited Manny Pacquiao’s help in endorsing their products through commercial advertisements in print and in broadcast media. These include detergents, medicines, foods, garments, telecommunications, and even a political ad for Chavit Singson during the May 14, 2007 elections. His most acclaimed commercials yet were for Nike’s “Fast Forward” campaign (along side Kobe Bryant, Maria Sharapova, Roger Federer, Cristiano Ronaldo and Liu Xiang)[76] and for San Miguel Beer with Jet Li and Érik Morales.
On April 12, 2007, the COMELEC canceled his commercial appearances in accordance with existing Philippine election laws. Airing of the commercials resumed after the elections.
Upon the expiration of his contract with ABS-CBN, he signed up with GMA Network as an actor on September 2007. On December 17, 2007, after finishing a movie, Pacquiao went to the GMA Network to tape his first episode of Pinoy Records.[79]
Pacquiao briefly starred for the TV series by GMA, Carlo J. Caparas’ Totoy Bato, alongside fellow actors Robin Padilla and Regine Velasquez. It was first aired in February 2009.
Pacquiao and American actor Sylvester Stallone are in plans of doing a movie. Stallone has stated interest in doing a movie with Pacquiao, who he said will be his co-star in the movie. Stallone, being a Pacquiao fan, showed interest. If the script passes and both sides agree, the film will be Pacquiao’s big break to the American audience and American main stream. Plans were only confirmed and interest, thus the script is in works and confirmation as well of both sides agreements of the plot and characters are still not confirmed.[80]
Pacquiao was also mentioned by World Wrestling Entertainment’s ECW on Syfy color commentator Matt Striker in reference to Christian’s tag team match with Tommy Dreamer vs. Jack Swagger and Mark Henry. Striker compares Christian’s left and right punches like the speed of Pacquiao’s fists.
Pacquiao has been included by Time Magazine as one of the world’s most influential people for the year 2009, for his exploits in boxing and his influence among the Filipino people. Pacquiao was also included by Forbes Magazine in its annual Celebrity 100 list for the year 2009, joining Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie and fellow athletes Tiger Woods and Bryant. Forbes also listed Pacquiao as world’s 6th highest-paid athlete, with a total of $40 million from second half of 2008 to first half of 2009. The athletes who ranked ahead of Pacquiao were Woods at number 1 spot ($110 million); Bryant, basketball legend Michael Jordan, and Formula One star Kimi Räikkönen sharing the number 2 rank ($45 million each); and football superstar David Beckham at number 5 ($42 million). Pacquiao had also won the 2009 ESPY Awards for the Best Fighter category, beating fellow boxer Shane Mosley and Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter Lyoto Machida.
source: Wikipedia
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