MANILA, Philippines - As promised, Manny Pacquiao stood by his wife Jinkee who gave birth to their fifth child yesterday afternoon in General Santos City.
Pacquiao was beside Jinkee from the time she was wheeled inside the delivery room to the time the eight-pound baby boy, whom they named Israel, was born.
Exclusive photos taken by GMA-7 showed Pacquiao bowing his head in prayer as Jinkee was being led to the delivery room.
All their four children – Emmanuel, Michael, Princess and Queen Elizabeth – were present at the hospital to welcome the newest member of their family.
Even Pacquiao’s pet Jack Russell, named Pacman, was there.
“This feels better than winning the world title. We’re all very happy,†said Pacquiao over the phone.
The boxer said having five wonderful kids is more than enough.
“Tama na ito,†he said.
Inside the nursery section, Pacquiao stood by the incubator, wearing a sterile bunny suit, to look over his son.
The boxer was all smiles and flashed the thumbs-up sign before the camera.
The other day, The STAR received a biblical text message from Jinkee, and it said, “The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping His eye on both the evil and the good. Have a blessed and prosperous day with Jesus.â€
Jinkee was heavily pregnant when Pacquiao left for the United States last March to train for the April 12 rematch with Tim Bradley.
And for the first time in many fights, she was not at ringside to see her husband in action.
Pacquiao beat Bradley in the rematch to reclaim the WBO welterweight title and prove to the world that he remains an elite fighter.
Yesterday, the bonus arrived in the person of Israel.