Blessing, baptism set on Pacman’s b-day

Manny Pacquiao is so busy preparing for his grand birthday party in Gen. Santos City this coming Sunday that he doesn’t have time to think about anything concerning his boxing career.

"I’m so busy right now preparing for all these parties," said Pacquiao over the phone yesterday afternoon as he took a break from an afternoon basketball game with friends.

Pacquiao will turn 28 on Sunday and has prepared a lavish, star-studded party that will also mark the blessing of his P35-million mansion and baptismal of his third child Mary Divine Grace.

The affair, which starts Sunday morning and may last until the next day, will also serve as the official victory party for Pacquiao’s big win over Erik Morales in Las Vegas almost a month ago.

Big-name politicians and close friends from show business will grace the affair. Flying in from the US tomorrow morning are Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach and manager Shelly Finkel.

The godfathers are, in order as they appear in the baptismal invitation, ABS-CBN chairman Gabby Lopez, Janet Jamora (twin sister of Pacquiao‚s wife Jinkee), Gov. Chavit Singson, Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia, San Miguel Corp. president Ramon S. Ang, Joaquin Yuong Jr., businessman-sportsman Hermie Esguerra, Benjie Lim, megastar Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, Tony Antonio, the country’s top game show host and commercial endorser Kris Aquino-Yap, Jeffrey Mangali, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Emily Uy, Ali Atienza, Angelie Reyes, actor Rudy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s chief of staff Jayke Joson, Rep. Miles Roces of Manila, lawyer Franklin (Jeng) Gacal, Solar Entertainment chairman Wilson Tieng, Salvador Domingo Jr., actor Willie Revillame, Mon Dizon, actor Bayani Agbayani and movie producer Mommy Rose Flaminiano.

But while Pacquiao has remained silent on his career plans, Roach was quoted over the Internet that he prefers Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez as his ward’s next opponents.

Barrera, the reigning World Boxing Council super-featherweight champion, has been mandated by the WBC to face Pacquiao next year.

Barrera, who lost to Pacquiao in 11 rounds in 2003, has set March 11 for the big rematch.

"Barrera is the one everybody wants to see. We’ll fight Marquez after that. No problem. We’ll do both fights for sure," Roach was quoted by the Internet report as saying.

But before that fight goes on, Pacquiao has a lot of loose ends to tie, particularly one concerning Golden Boy and Top Rank which are fighting over the promotional rights over Pacquiao.

Pacquiao signed a seven-fight promotional contract with Golden Boy last September, but had a change of heart, renouncing the pact and signing a four-year deal with Top Rank.

Finkel said he expects lawsuits to come from different directions, and is hoping that none of them will have Pacquiao as the defendant.

For the meantime, Pacquiao will party and be merry.