CEBU, Philippines - A Manny Pacquiao museum as a tourist attraction in the South Road Properties (SRP), why not?
This idea was raised by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to honor the fighter, who recently claimed his seventh world title in seven weight categories, a world first.
The mayor said that he was so elated and proud after Pacquiao defeated Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto via a 12th round technical knockout last Sunday.
Pacquiao has won world titles in the flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, and light welterweight divisions before claiming another scalp last Sunday.
Osmeña said that he wants to build a P100 million-Manny Pacquiao museum that will include souvenir shops that would sell mementos of Pacquiao’s fights and other relevant events.
He said that he’ll have to discuss the matter first with Pacquiao.
Osmeña will treat the museum as a commercial venture and the city will give Pacquiao a share from the income it generates.
“At least he will get a percentage or whatever, so that at least, he will get a regular source of income even if he spends all his money away, so, we’re helping him but we’re helping ourselves also,” Osmeña said.
The mayor said that the museum will focus on the life of Pacquiao as a model Filipino, and how he became an inspiration to the ordinary people.
Osmeña, however, clarified that other boxing heroes like Cebuano Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, will also be a part of the museum but the main attraction is Pacquiao.
On the other hand, the mayor said that if ever he gets elected congressman next year, he’d offer Pacquiao’s coach, Freddie Roach, Filipino citizenship.
The mayor has announced plans to seek the congressional seat of the South District in the May 10, 2010 polls.
Osmeña said that Roach has been the silent partner behind Pacquiao’s success and the best credit to give him is to make him a naturalized Filipino citizen.
“He needs credit, because to me, he is very instrumental to make Filipinos proud by developing Manny Pacquiao,” Osmeña emphasized.
The mayor is very optimistic that no one will block such proposal in congress.
It was learned that Osmeña was also instrumental in giving a Filipino citizenship to Michael G.J. Gleissner, the chairman of Bigfoot Group of Companies.
Bigfoot leased 2 hectares in the SRP and built their soundstages there for filmmaking. The company is planning to buy four more hectares at the SRP for another project. — Elly Bolonos/NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)