Coming out soon: A PacMan sitcom

By Dennis Principe
Business Mirror
September 10, 2007

Even his loyal fans laughed at the idea of him dipping his fingers into politics and showbusiness.

Now, Manny Pacquiao will try to make his followers laugh as the Filipino boxing sensation recently signed a two-year deal that will make him one of the newest sitcom personalities on Philippine TV.

Last weekend Pacquiao officially became a showbiz talent of GMA Network which the boxer himself announced in a meeting with showbiz and sportswriters.

“Manny will do sitcoms. That’s all we can say about the deal. We will also make sure there will be no conflicts with his training,” said Redgie Magno, GMA’s program manager for entertainment.

GMA arranged a meeting among Pacquiao, showbusiness and sportswriters held at the 17th Floor of the GMA Network Center. Also present was the network’s chairman, president and CEO Felipe Gozon.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed but BusinessMirror learned from someone privy to the pact that Pacquiao is guaranteed P100,000 per appearance on any GMA network show and shooting engagements.

Pacquiao table-hopped and chatted with writers who attended the affair.

The southpaw boxing champion, as expected, was bombarded by typical showbusiness questions particularly his intriguing closeness with screen siren Ara Mina.

Pacquiao is bankrolling a movie that will pair him with Mina which is said to be 70-percent done and will be completed after the boxer’s October 6 bout against Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas.

“Suportahan sana ninyo itong pelikula ko kasi dito lang kayo makakakita ng boxer na umiiyak at gumagawa ng [I hope you will support the film because this is the only time you would see a boxer crying and doing an] action movie,” said Pacquiao, who also disclosed the completion of his rap single.

As for his boxing career especially his upcoming bout against Barrera, Pacquiao assured fans he won’t take his bitter Mexican foe lightly.

“Minsan na akong nagkumpiyansa kaya ako natalo. Simula noon talagang puspusan ang ensayo ko kahit sino’ng makaharap ko [I was overconfident once and I lost. Since then I’ve been training hard regardless of who I meet in the ring],” said Pacquiao.

“My chances against Barrera is 50-50. It’s better that way so I don’t slouch around in training.”

GMA, in partnership with Solar Sports, will air Pacquiao’s rematch against Barrera. The bout is a rematch of their first match back in November 2003 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

In their initial encounter, a heavy underdog Pacquiao shocked the world of boxing as he dominated and eventually annihilated Barrera in the 11th of their 12-round “Peoples Featherweight” championship fight.