DON’T be surprised to see several boxing equipment, such as punch mitts, punching bags, even a full-sized boxing ring at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in the near future.
That’s because Rep. Manny Pacquiao of the lone district of Sarangani is willing to train at the complex in order to save precious time juggling his work both as lawmaker and the world’s no. 1 pound-for-pound boxer.
“Time management lang ‘yan. Walang problema sa akin, dito ako matutulog sa opisina, para training and jogging ako pagkagising bago mag-session,” said Pacquiao, currently the World Boxing Organization welterweight champion, who is set to fight Mexican Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13 at a still unnamed venue in the US.
Pacquiao’s brilliant idea makes sense. Lawmakers are free to do whatever they want in the compound, of course, as long as it is legal.
Physical fitness activities are even encouraged. Only recently, he played hoops with fellow lawmakers after a heated discussion by warring factions in Congress.
Known as a stickler for his duties, Pacquiao has never missed a session so far. In the course of his lawmaking chores, he also has not missed his physical fitness regimen, saying he trains three hours a day, an hour of which is reserved for jogging.
But despite all the training, the Fighter of the Decade said he is trying to gain weight.
“Kailangan nga kumain tayo nang kumain nang marami para ang timbang natin ay ma-maintain. Nagpapalaki tayo kasi ang timbang natin ‘pag nag-eensayo tayo 145 lang so kailangan pang dagdagan. 150 ang kailangan, mga 148,” Pacquiao said. “Kain lang nang kain pag kailangan, pag nagte-training kasi ako hindi ako kumakain nang marami.”
Meanwhile, while it is almost certain that Pacquiao’s next fight won’t be in Las Vegas, a set of the Filipino champ’s gloves will be at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, where he usually stays when he’s got a fight in Las Vegas.
This is part of the Miss Universe National Gift Auction for the benefit of the Nevada Cancer Institute on Aug. 14, at which the Philippines’ candidate Maria Venus Raj will personally auction off the prized item from her home country, just like the other 82 contestants in a show to be hosted y KSNV Channel 3 personality Alicia Jacobs and featuring current Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez.
Raj will auction off the signed gloves, along with a photo of the congressman signing the gloves as a form of authentication. With reports from Ronnie Nathanielsz
From Manila Standard Today