Pacquiao: 'Quintessential Athlete'
MB – Sat, Mar 19, 2011 1:07 AM PHTMANILA, Philippines - Boxing great Manny Pacquiao will receive a unique citation as "Quintessential Athlete" in recognition of his outstanding achievements in various fields outside boxing during the 11th Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Memorial Boxing Awards and Banquet of Champions on March 25 at the Grand Ballroom of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
"We cannot think of a more appropriate citation for our national hero, whom we and Filipino fans have already honored as Boxer of the Year, Boxer of the Decade, Best pound-for-pound boxer, International Hall of Famer , People's Champ and Pambansang Kamao," said Laura Elorde, wife of boxing legend Flash Elorde, in whose honor the awards rites and banquet of champions will be held on the occasion of his 76th birth anniversary.
The awards ceremony, which is also being supported by Congressman Mark Aeron Sambar of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party List, will be co-presented by Cobra Energy Drink, Sanicare Kitchen Towels, Procter & Gamble Distributing (Phils.) Inc., Contour Splinting Services, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, SMART, International Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Prestige Poker Sport Club, Southpaw bar & grill and the Elorde gyms.
Elorde said this will be the first time a boxer will be accorded this first-ever recognition for his accomplishments as congressman, businessman, movie and TV personality, commercial endorser, singer and philanthropist. "Manny is not only idolized by boxing fans, but we can say he has an even bigger fan base among those who are not hooked on the sport," said Elorde.
Elorde cited numerous forms of recognition given to Pacquiao, who was once cited in the State of the Nation Address of President Arroyo, had met with a US President Obama at the White House and a US senatorial candidate, had hosted President Arroyo on his birthday and became one of the 25 most influential persons of the world in 2010, a distinction never reached in the history of Philippine sports. "Manny Pacquiao was the same humble person who endeared himself to Filipinos. It was the same Filipino trait that my husband, Da Flash, showed as a bootblack in his younger years and as a seven-time world champion at the peak of his powers," said Elorde.
Reposted From Manila Bulletin
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