Pacquiao apologizes for missing Palaro opening

MANILA, Philippines – WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao had to skip the opening of the Palarong Pambansa early Monday – where he was supposed to be a guest of honor – to attend to his newborn child.

The Filipino boxing icon, in a text to veteran boxing scribe Eddie Alinea of Philboxing.com, apologized to Palaro organizers, including Laguna Gov. E.R. Ejercito, for his absence at the opening rites of the annual sports meet.  

“Humihingi ako ng paumanhin kay Gov. E.R., sa lahat ng opisyal ng Palaro, iba pang panauhin, lalong lalo na sa mga atleta na alam kong maghihintgay sa pagdating ko upang gampanan ang papel ng dapat kong gampanan sa Palaro,” said Pacquiao, who is also congressman of Sarangani.

The 2014 Palarong Pambansa kicked off Monday at the newly refurbished Laguna Sports Complex in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, with more than 11,000 athletes expected to vie for glory.

Pacquiao was supposed to head a star-studded cast of sports and movie personalities who will grace the opener. This includes former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Olympic skater Michael Christian Martinez, and basketball siblings Jeric and Jeron Teng.

Pacquiao instead wished the participants luck.

“Bagamat hindi ako makakarating ay sana’y umasa ang lahat ng kinauukulan na ang diwa ko ay kasama nila sa buong linggo ng Palaro, mula sa pagbubukas nito sa Lunes hanggang sa ang kahuli-hulihang event ay maganap,” he said.

“Panalangin ko po na sanay’ mairaos ang Palaro ng matiwasay at ligtas ang lahat, lalo-lalo na ang mga atleta, sa anumang di kanais-nais na maaring mangyari habang nagpapaligsahan ang gating mga student athletes in the elementary at high school divisions,” Pacquiao added.

Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee gave birth to their fifth child, Israel, last April 27. Though still in an incubator, Pacquiao said their newborn child is doing fine.

“Wala din naman silang dapat ikabahala sa kalagayan ni Baby Israel. Dapat kasi siyang isalalim sa incubator para masigurong malusog siya at malakas ang natural sa sa kanyang paglabas sa ospital,” Pacquiao assured.

Pacquiao is coming off a win over Timothy Bradley last April 13.