Pacquiao 'quintessential athlete' in Elorde Awards

MANILA, Philippines –  Boxing great Manny Pacquiao will receive a unique citation as “Quintessential Athlete” in recognition of his outstanding achievements in various fields outside boxing during the 11th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Boxing Awards and Banquet of Champions on March 25 at the Grand Ballroom of the Sofitel Hotel.

“We cannot think of a more appropriate citation for our national hero, whom we and Filipino fans have already honored as Boxer of the Year, Boxer of the Decade, Best Pound-for-Pound Boxer, International Hall of Famer , People’s Champ and Pambansang Kamao,” said Laura Elorde, wife of boxing legend Flash Elorde, in whose honor the awards rites and banquet of champions will be held on the occasion of his 76th birth anniversary.

Elorde said this will be the first time a boxer will be accorded this recognition for his accomplishments as congressman, businessman, movie and TV personalilty, commercial endorser, singer and philanthropist.

“Manny is not only idolized by boxing fans, but we can say he has an even bigger fan base among those who are not hooked on the sport,” said Elorde.

Elorde cited numerous forms of recognition given to Pacquiao, who was once cited in the State of the Nation Address of President Arroyo, had met with US President Obama at the White House and a US senatorial candidate, had hosted President Arroyo on his birthday and became one of the 25 most influential persons of the world in 2010, a distinction never reached in the history of Philippine sports.

“Manny Pacquiao remains the same humble person who endeared himself to Filipinos. It was the same Filipino trait that my husband, Da Flash, showed as a bootblack in his younger years and as a seven-time world champion at the peak of his powers,” said Elorde.

Pacquiao, Elorde and Pancho Villa, the country’s first world champion in 1923, will be featured in the awards souvenir program, in a special article “Great Men in Sports and in Spirit”, a simple story of three boxers who touched the sky and returned to earth to give back to mortals – their fans and compatriots. The story, as well as a special feature on “Pacquiao, The Quentessential Man” is a compilation of the views of media and boxing fans in 2010.

The Elorde Awards will also give recognition to “heirs apparent” to Pacquiao and Elorde – the 2010 world and international champions – as well as promising boxers, best fight of the year, best referee, trainer, manager and judge and Philippine professional and amateur champions and personalities that contributed to Philippine pro boxing in 2010.

The Elorde Sports Foundation, which is staging the formal rites on behalf of the Elorde clan, is also presenting a new citation, the Lope “Papa” Sarreal Milestone Achievement Award, in honor of the “grand ole man of boxing”, to international referee Carlos Padilla.

Retired world champions, led by Rolando Navarette and Erbito Salavaria, will also be the special attendees in the Elorde Banquet of Champions, a grand reuinion of present and former world titleholders.

The event is organized by the Johnny Elorde Management International in coordination with co-presentor Cobra Energy Drink, Sanicare Kitchen Towels, Family Rubbing Alcohol, Motolite, Proctor and Gambol, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Smart, Samsung, Sofitel Hotel and the Elorde Gyms.

Information: Elorde Office at 8264463, 8359385 or 09228507174.