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Boxing icon Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao will be the
first Filipino athlete to be featured in a series of special stamps
that will be issued by the Philippine Postal Corp. (PhilPost).
The PhilPost project, called
“Kaya ng Pinoy,” will feature Filipino achievers in the sports
scene. Pacquiao signed an agreement with PhilPost Friday to put him
on the stamp series.
PhilPost Postmaster General
Hector Villanueva said Pacquiao is worthy of being featured on the
special stamps series.
“I think [Pacquiao] has
demonstrated [what it takes] to be a great champion. He’s been a
world champ for more than four years and his feats are still
growing,” he explained.
Pacquiao expressed his deep
appreciation to PhilPost for the opportunity to be featured in the
special stamp series. “To be featured on a stamp alongside great
heroes is a great honor for me and my family. This is not just for
me but also for the Filipino people,” he said.
Those who attended Pacquiao’s
agreement signing were Eric Pineda, the boxer’s general manager;
Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson; PhilPost Chairman and
lawyer Franco Loyola; and Director Fred Gabot, also of the postal
company.
The special stamp series from
PhilPost will be issued in limited quantities, and is expected to
become a highly prized collector’s item once its issuance is
ended.
Pacquiao, currently World Boxing
Council (WBC) superfeatherweight champion, faces David Diaz on June
28 for the WBC world lightweight title, which the American holds.
The Filipino claims he is
comfortable fighting at 135 pounds, the limit for lightweight
fighters.
“I’m in now in good
condition. I’m comfortable with my weight and I know that God
would never leave me,” Pacquiao said.
If he wins, he will be the first
Filipino to win the world lightweight title and be champion in four
weight divisions.
Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, the
longest-reigning world superfeatherweight (junior lightweight)
champion, challenged Carlos Ortiz twice for the lightweight title
but lost both attempts. Andy Ganigan, a Filipino-American, also
challenged Alexis Arguello for the lightweight championship and also
lost despite decking the Nicaraguan in the first round of their
fight.
And in July last year, Cesar
Amonsot from Cebu put up a gallant 12-round losing effort against
then-lightweight World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Michael
Katsidis of Australia.
--RUBEN D. MANAHAN 4th
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