By Aquiles Zonio
Mindanao Bureau
First Posted 18:05:00 12/15/2008
Filed Under: Pacquiao, Boxing
Close this GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines—Local officials, fans and residents here excitedly await what may be the most spectacular birthday bash for boxing icon Manny Pacquiao which will be held at two venues here Wednesday night.
"We're fully-booked. A lot of Manny Pacquiao's invited guests and close friends are coming over," Romeo Bartolome, owner of the East Asia Royale Hotel here, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net.
Bartolome said this will be a big celebration for the city as national government officials and showbiz personalities are expected to attend in the birthday fete of the world boxing superstar.
In a radio interview, Michael Bren Evangelio, one of Pacquiao’s aides, revealed that around 300 VIPs and showbiz stars are expected to arrive. They include President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other national officials, top brass from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, showbiz and musical entertainers, as well as boxing personalities like David Diaz, Edwin Valero and Marco Antonio Barrera.
Evangelio said the three boxing stars have already confirmed their attendance, and that Pacquiao will shoulder the fare and hotel accommodation of the three boxers, VIPS and some of his close friends.
He disclosed that his boss had prepared a budget of around P1 million for his 30th birthday celebration.
Pacquiao's aide could not yet give the names of showbiz personalities and music artists who will perform during the affair.
Security measures had already been tightened in the city in preparation for such celebration.
Evangelio said elements from the Presidential Security Group had already inspected the KCC Mall to ensure the safety and security of the President.
There will be two venues for Pacquiao's birthday bash—one is for 1,800 to 2000 guests and visitors at the KCC Convention Center and the other is at the Oval Plaza Grandstand for Pacquiao's fans and supporters.
The KCC affair, which is strictly formal, will start 6 p.m. simultaneously with the Oval Plaza.
Twenty-five roasted pigs and six roasted cows will be prepared for the KCC party. Pacquiao has directed his staff to prepare 5,000 to 6,000 packed meals for those attending the revelry at the Oval Plaza.
Pacquiao will make an appearance at the Oval Plaza Grandstand before proceeding to the KCC Convention Center where he will be spending the rest of his time, sources said.
Invited musical artists will perform both at the Oval Plaza and KCC Convention Center.
Before the celebrations in this city, Pacquiao will be at the Malungon town in Sarangani Province to attend the birthday party tendered by his close friend and political adviser mayor Reynaldo Constantino.
Other activities lined up to make his birthday the grandest ever included shooting competition, an amateur boxing tournament and international dart competition.
About 500 darters, coming from both local and abroad, joined in the tournament. Players from as far as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and London, England arrived here to participate. The competition started Saturday evening with P2 million cash prize up for grabs.
Meanwhile, around 200 people have started to queue outside Pacquiao's mansion here hoping to partake a little of the boxing champ's fortune.
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