Pacman souvenir items in demand

Manny Pacquiao fight souvenirs like t-shirts, caps or jackets remain a very hot commodity that Cris Aquino, a bosom buddy of the Filipino boxing icon, yesterday said more and more people keep asking for more.

Almost three weeks after Pacquiao knocked out Erik Morales at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Aquino, an amiable businessman from Manila, continues to produce the items, which he’s been giving away for free.

The other day, the 44-year-old gun enthusiast got hold of some 300 Pacquiao t-shirts which he ordered printed in Los Angeles and delivered to his home in San Juan. Yesterday, he started giving them away to close friends.

More jackets and caps are coming in any day from now. Aquino has in his mind a very long list of persons asking for jackets — from senators, congressmen, showbiz personalities and even police and military officers.

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson were among those who proudly and prominently wore the same jacket in Las Vegas before, during and after the fight.

Even a former President who was formerly close to Pacquiao has gotten hold of the jacket just recently. The jacket was personally signed by the boxer.

Aquino has also promised to have a jacket prepared for Pico Marquez, a seven-year-old, diehard Pacquiao fan who’s now living in Vegas with his Filipino parents.

Aquino was the same bubbly fellow who had a run-in with US customs officials in Las Vegas for Pacquiao’s recent fight when he tried to bring in a huge box containing 41 jackets and dozens of t-shirts.

Though it was not the first time he has done it, he wasn’t allowed to bring them in. The items were held at the airport for three days and were released only after he paid $800 in taxes and broker’s fees.