MANNY PACQUIAO: Looking Back to June 23, 2001 vs. Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, undercard fight for the OSCAR DE LA HOYA Main Event

It's ironic how life could be. Manny Pacquiao was just having his debut fight in the U.S. on June 23, 2001 against IBF Super Bantamweight Champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba as an undercard for the Oscar De la Hoya main event fight. Nobody inside the arena even Pacquiao himself would know that 7 years and a half later Pacquiao and De la Hoya would clash with one another for the biggest event in boxing history.

Here's a video, Manny Pacquiao winning the IBF Super Bantamweight belt from Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, circa June 23, 2001.



Here's an article from Manny Pacquiao...

PAGBABALIK TANAW SA NAKARAAN
"Kumbinasyon"

By Manny Pacquiao


Pacquiao (R) throws a jab at Ledwaba during their title bout in 2001.

PhilBoxing.com
31 Aug 2008

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Kumusta po ulit sa lahat ng masusugid kong tagasubaybay at sana ay nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan saan mang panig ng mundo kayo naroroon.

Opo, siguro, kung hindi pa ninyo nababalitaan, sa Disyembre 6, malamang magkakasama tayong lahat ulit upang bilang iisang lahi, bansa at liping Filipino ay sabay-sabay tayong manonood ng aking laban. Matapos ang maraming araw ng pag-iisip at negotiations, tuloy na po ang sagupaan namin ng Golden Boy ng boxing, si Oscar Dela Hoya.

Gaganapin ang laban sa MGM Grand Arena sa Las Vegas at ito ang sinasabi ng lahat na siyang pinakamalaking boxing event na mangyayari sa taong ito. Opo, mas malaki pa ito kaysa sa pagkakapanalo ko ng World Boxing Council super-featherweight title noong March 15 at ang pagkopo natin sa WBC lightweight crown noong June 28 lamang.

This is going to be a worldwide event where not only Filipinos will be watching me fight one of the best fighters in the sport of boxing and probably one of the richest and most influential superstars in all of sports. Everyone will be watching.

Naaalala ko pa po noong taong 2001, June 22 to be exact, nang una kong makasama at makita si Oscar Dela Hoya sa isang promotion, sa weigh-in ng kanya-kanya naming laban. Siya ang main event sa laban at ako ang isa sa undercard. Kasama dun ang yumaong si Agapito Sanchez na isa rin sa mga makakalaban ko sa susunod na ilang buwan, at ang sumisibol pang si Jermain Taylor, na lumaban sa isang four-rounder.

Sa poster ng fight, si Oscar ay lumaban para sa WBC light middleweight title kontra kay Javier Castillejo habang ako naman ay sumagupa sa kinatatakutang Afrikano na si Lehlo Ledwaba para sa IBF super-bantamweight championship. Maituturing na baguhan pa lang ako sa pandaigdigang audience noong panahon na iyon. Speak little English pa ako noon. Nakakatuwa pero iyon naman po talaga ang totoo. May interpreter pa ako noon.

Nakakatuwang isipin na pito at kalahating taon ang makakalipas, kaming dalawa ni Ginoong Dela Hoya ang magkakaharap ulit para sa main event ng pinakamalaking laban ng 2008, sa parehong hotel sa Las Vegas, Nevada. Siya ang tinanghal na 154-pound champion seven years ago. Ako naman ang 122-pound champion that time.

Seven years more from 2001 and 25 pounds heavier, I will face the man who I admired most for his speed and wisdom in the ring. Oscar and I will be fighting for boxing's most glorious win in the 147-pound limit.

Para tayo ay magwagi dito sa laban na ito, importante para sa akin ang maging mapagkumbaba at ang pagbalik-tanaw sa aking nakaraan, gaya noong araw ng aking unang laban sa US at sa pay-per-view. Ang taong hindi marunong tumanaw sa pinanggalingan, hindi makakarating sa paroroonan. Naniniwala po ako diyan.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think and imagine that I will be fighting the same man who was then a superstar and is still the sport's biggest draw. But I believe that after seven years of fighting, I have grown better, more mature and wiser as a fighter and as a person. I also know that I have the capability of scoring an upset over my boyhood idol.

Ito ang isa sa mga magiging batayan at marka ng aking boxing career at gaya ng dati, hihingin ko po ulit ang tulong at dasal ng bawat isa sa inyo upang sa huli, lahat tayo pa rin ang magwawagi.

Hanggang sa muling Kumbinasyon. God bless us all.

source: Philboxing.com

REY 'BOOM BOOM' BAUTISTA, DONNIE NIETES & JASON PAGARA All Pinoy Victors with Impressive Knockouts - Video & Pics August 30, 2008

Video from TV Patrol World, recorded and uploaded to YouTube by yours truly





Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista is back on track after he impressively demoslished his Mexican rival KO artist Eden Marquez in the 2nd round before a delighted packed audience at the Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel & Casino here tonight to successfully defend his WBO Superbantam Intercontinental title.


Not having seen any of his opponent's previous fights, Bautista wisely studied his opponent's moves in the first round choosing to defend instead of attacking immediately. In the second round however, Bautista unleashed combinations after combinations as he caught Marquez early in the round to score a knockdown. Marquez was able to beat the referee's count but Bautista immediately put pressure on Marquez hitting Marquez with solid combinations afterwards. Referee Bruce McTavish stopped the contest as Marquez was driven in the corner unable to defend himself. Time was 1:08 of the second round.





Nietes made short work of Eddy Castro of Nicaragua after sending the smaller Nicaraguan in the first round and finished him at 2:49 in the 2nd round with a picture perfect right straight that sent Castro crushing to the canvas. Nietes successfully retained his WBO minifly crown.


Up-and-coming lightweight Jason Pagara delivered his promise to knockout his Thai opponent Kongdej SithtrajTrakan in the third or fourth round tonight as he sent the Thai to the canvas right in the first round and finished him up in the 4th round.

ELY BUENDIA Rushed To Hospital Due to Chest Pains, ERASERHEADS Reunion Concert Cut Short - Video & Pics August 30, 2008

Eraserheads Reunion Concert was cut short Saturday night after lead singer Ely Buendia was rushed to the Makati Medical Center due to overfatigue and chest pains.


The concert's sudden end was announced by Buendia's sister Lally who went onstage after a 20-minute intermission of the planned 30-song concert.



Raimund Marasigan also came out onstage, followed by Marcus Adoro and Buddy Zabala who assisted Buendia's sister in announcing that the concert would no longer continue. The band members apologized to the audience for cutting short their performance. They asked for prayers for the band's lead singer and songwriter.



"He had a slight attack because of stress due to the recent passing of his mother, and their sound check which lasted till 3 a.m. today (Saturday)," said officials from MTV Philippines, who added that Buendia is now in stable condition. MTV Philippines is the concert's organizer.



Here's a video from TV Patrol World, recorded and uploaded to YouTube by yours truly

KATRINA HALILI is the Cover Babe on MAXIM PHILIPPINES September 2008 Issue

Katrina Halili's boldest pics yet in the September 2008 issue of Maxim Philippines. That's a Kapuso star gracing the cover of a Kapamilya magazine. Her previous stint in a magazine such as the FHM spreads were tame, this time in the Maxim issue she's topless and it is reported that this is her sexiest pictorial yet for a men’s magazine.

Too many magazines too little time.


Katrina Halili with my nephew Dennis Rivera inside Hobbo boutique at the SM Mall of Asia, snapshot taken on May 3, 2008 with my nephew's Motorola camera phone.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA Says Dec. 6, 2008 Will Not Be His Last Fight

snapshot by my brother Darwin

Las Vegas Review-Journal DailyLine column reports that 'Golden Boy' puts off talk of retirement and has eye on Pacquiao. De la Hoya's destiny with the Pacman on Dec. 6, 2008 won't be his last fight, a final fight would have to wait until 2009. "I'm not going to talk about retirement," De la Hoya said Thursday. "My focus is on training, fighting and winning. We'll see how I feel after the fight if it's my last fight."

"I don't want it to be the focus of this fight." De la Hoya said of the possibility of this being his last fight. "I'm not closing the door on anything. Let's just say my foot got caught in the door."

"I do have to change my style around," De la Hoya said. "I have to adjust to his [Pacquiao] speed. I have to figure out a way to pull the trigger, and I have to find a way to increase my speed." obviously refferring to Freddie Roach (De la Hoya's trainer in Mayweather fight) statement that De la Hoya can't "pull the trigger anymore."

"I know I can still do this." De la Hoya said. "My reflexes are still there. My speed and strength is still there."



The article provides an insight on Oscar De la Hoya's thoughts, a range of emotion which could result to a lot of things. One thing is for sure, the fight will be spectacular.

read more of the article in Steve Carp's column at Las Vegas Review-Journal

MANNY PACQUIAO is THE BILLION-PESO MAN, Earnings in Less Than EIGHT YEARS

One of the finest RAGS-TO-RICHES Story I've read and what's really amazing is that the guy in the story is a Filipino in the form of MANNY PACQUIAO. With a sure fee of $ 15M he'll get in the De la Hoya fight on Dec. 6, 2008 plus the earnings he'd earned since his U.S. debut in 2001 Manny Pacquiao becomes the first Filipino athlete to earn more than a billion pesos from the boxing sport in a span of only eight years ! wow ! and that doesn't even include Manny's commercial endorsements on TV and print-ads.

Among his biggest clients are Nike and San Miguel Corporation. He has also endorsed Motolite, No Fear, Alaxan, Philippine Airlines, Smart and Extreme Magic Sing, among others.

Here are some snapshots I made of Manny Pacquiao's TV endorsement circa 2006


Manny with his 2 kids in Datu Puti Vinegar


Manny with wife Jinkee in Datu Puti Vinegar


Magnolia Fresh Milk


Magnolia Ice Cream


Extreme Magic Sing


Manny with wife Jinkee in Alaxan gel



Figures earned from the television broadcast of his fights and other TV shows are also not included.

Needless to say, Pacquiao’s income easily surpasses those of other Filipino professionals such as Efren "Bata" Reyes, golfers Frankie Miñoza, and Jennifer Rosales and top basketball players, most of whom haven’t probably gotten past the P50 million mark.

Earnings Since June, 2001

$ 40,000 — Versus Lehlo Ledwaba (South Africa), June 21, 2001, Las Vegas, Nevada

$ 120,000 — Versus Agapito Sanchez (Dominican Republic), Nov. 11, 2001, San Francisco, California

P10 million — Versus Fabbrakob Rakkiatgym (Thailand), Oct. 26, 2002, Davao

P1 million — Versus Serikzhan Yeshmangbetov (Kazakhstan), March 15, 2003, Taguig

$ 70,000 — Versus Jorge Julio (Colombia), June 8, 2002, Memphis, Tennessee

$ 500,000 — Versus Marco Antonio Barrera (Mexico), Nov. 15, 2003, San Antonio, Texas

$ 750,000 — Versus Juan Manuel Marquez (Mexico), May 8, 2004 Las Vegas

P3 million — Versus Fahsan 3K Battery (Thailand), Dec. 11, 2004, Manila

$ 1.75 million — Versus Erik Morales (Mexico), March 19, 2005, Las Vegas

$ 750,000 — Versus Hector Velazquez (Mexico), Sept. 10, 2005, Los Angeles, California

$ 2 million — Versus Erik Morales, January 21, 2006, Las Vegas

$ 1 million — Versus Oscar Larios (Mexico), July 2, 2006, Quezon City

$ 2.25 million — Versus Erik Morales, Nov. 18, 2006, Las Vegas

$ 2 million — Versus Jorge Solis (Mexico), April 14, 2007, San Antonio

$ 3 million — Versus Marco Antonio Barrera, Oct. 6, 2007, Las Vegas

$ 3 million — Versus Juan Manuel Marquez, March 15, 2008, Las Vegas

$ 3 million — Versus David Diaz (US), June 28, 2008, Las Vegas

——————————

TOTAL: $ 20,230,000 (About P910,350,000) (of course, earnings from De la Hoya fight not yet included)

reference : mb.com.ph

ANG SPOILED: 'GRAFFITI' Yaya & Angelina - Another BUBBLE GANG Comedy Episode, Aired Aug. 29, 2008

Another hilarious antic courtesy by the spoiled bratty Angelina (Ogie Alcasid), this episode features Angelina's artistic talents while You're-such-a-Loser Yaya (Michael V.) isn't pleased with Angelina's art. Here's the hilarious video, recorded and uploaded to YouTube by DCRJ



Some snapshots from the video


Take that Yaya !


I'm sorry Yaya, don't worry Yaya, I will fix it


Hurre up Angelena dumudugo na !






Lucifer ?


Yaya, you really are a Loser with a capital L

****************


Behind-the-scene snapshot of Yaya & Angelina with Moymoy Palaboy & Roadfill

24 Oras Video Featuring IWA MOTO as Cover Girl on FHM PHILIPPINES Magazine September 2008 Issue

Here's a video from 24 Oras featuring IWA MOTO as Cover Girl on FHM PHILIPPINES Magazine September 2008 Issue. Also in the video, Iwa Moto's dieting for the FHM cover stint, Iwa's bithday and her dad.



Snapshots from the video

MOYMOY PALABOY & ROADFILL Lipsynchs 'MACHO MAN' by the VILLAGE PEOPLE, Aired at BUBBLE GANG August 29, 2008

You're in for another treat by the country's wacky tandem in the form of MOYMOY PALABOY & ROADFILL, this time lipsyncing 'Macho Man' by the 1970s group VILLAGE PEOPLE.

I remember the Village People who came here in the Philippines way back in the late 1970s, they guested in the noontime show, no it's not Eat Bulaga nor Wowowee, the precursor of all noon-time shows STUDENT CANTEEN hosted by Eddie Ilarde, Helen Vela and Bobby Ledesma.

Here's the video



Snapshots from the video








with alluring Diana Zubiri

Birthday Girl IWA MOTO is the Sexy Cover Babe in FHM PHILIPPINES September 2008 Issue - Starting the 'BER' Months in Sizzling Fashion

The curvaceous and delectable actress in the form of Iwa Moto comes of age and it's her birthday today August 29, 2008, Happy 20th Birthday Iwa ! She's the cover babe in FHM PHILIPPINES September 2008 Issue, what a way to celebrate a birthday.

Aileen Quimapo Iwamoto (born August 29, 1988), popularly known by her screen name Iwa Moto, is a Filipina actress of Japanese descent. She is well known for playing Rita on Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap which was played before by the award winning actress Amy Austria in the original film.

Iwa was born in Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Her Japanese father left the family to go back to his native Japan when Iwa was still very young. Her family then moved to Davao due to her stepfather's job assignment there. She would later move back to Manila to pursue her studies. It was then that a friend of hers convinced her to join the third season of the popular reality show StarStruck where she passed the auditions. She was one of the favorites among the finalists, eventually finishing First Princess (first runner-up). She currently appears in several GMA and Q shows.

MANNY PACQUIAO's Topsy-Turvy Outings at the MGM GRAND ARENA, Site of the PACQUIAO-DE LA HOYA Bout December 6, 2008

The Manny Pacquiao vs. De la Hoya fight is now set at the MGM Grand Arena on December 6, 2008. MGM Grand Garden Arena is located in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. The arena has a seating capacity of 17,157 people and is located at 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South.

The MGM Grand Arena is also the site of 3 Manny Pacquiao bouts in topsy-turvy fashion. He made his debut fight in the U.S. at the MGM Grand Arena knocking out previously undefeated Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in the 6th round winning the IBF world super bantamweight in June 23, 2001. He knocked down Juan Manuel Marquez three times in the first round also at the MGM Grand Arena in May 8, 2004 but the fight ended up in a draw, one of the judges later admitted a scoring error of 10-7 in the 1st round instead of the mandatory 10-6 score for 3 knock downs. Manny Pacquiao was defeated by Erik Morales by unanimous decision in their 1st bout of their trilogy at the MGM Grand Arena, March 19, 2005. Manny Pacquiao won over Erik Morales in the 2nd and 3rd bout of their trilogy later on.

A win in 2001, a draw in 2004 and a loss in 2005 by Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Arena. I don't see any connection with those years, it seems random to me or I am not good in Chinese Feng Shui and I am not chinese. 2008 seems unlucky for the Filipino athletes at the just concluded Beijing Olympics for garnering zero medals. But 2008 seems to be the lucky year for Manny Pacquiao because he won the WBC Super Featherweight belt from Juan Manuel Marquez last March, 2008. He won the WBC Lightweight belt from David Diaz last June 2008. Hopefully Manny would be lucky on December 6, 2008, third time's (in a year) always the charm!

Snapshot of a Las Vegas Newspaper headlining the Pacquiao-De la Hoya done deal, taken by my brother Darwin.


Manny Pacquiao has sparred and fought with boxers taller than him, Nedal Hussein comes to mind...the dirty fighter Hussein who's a notch taller than De la Hoya, Manny won that fight despite being KOed by Hussein in the 4th round in October 2000, well the strength and power of the Pacman was just developing back then.

Win or lose Manny is the clear winner yes, but money isn't everything, mayaman ka nga pero ano maipagmamalaki mo sa mga anak at apo mo, 'anak dami kong milyones pero talo ako sa laban na yan' (You got millions of dollars but what can you tell your children and grandchildren ? that you earned millions because you loss ?) Of course, a victory over De la Hoya sweetenens not only Manny's legacy in the history of boxing but also as a personal pride to his children.

If there's someone who has the credibility and the authority to say that Pacquiao will win the fight against de la Hoya it's none other than Freddie Roach, who have trained De la Hoya and Pacquiao. I'll bet all my life savings that Manny will win this fight based not on Freddie Roach credibilty but based on Manny Pacquiao's flexibility as an indirect follower of Bruce Lee's principles. 'Be water, my friend...'

ERASERHEADS Lead Singer Ely Buendia's Mother Died August 28, 2008 - 24 Oras Video

Eraserheads lead singer Ely Buendia's mother Mrs Lizette Buendia died yesterday morning August 28, 2008. Despite the sad news, Sony BMG Entertainment said that the Eraserheads Reunion Concert will still push thru on Saturday August 30, 2008 at the CCP Open Grounds. Here's a video from 24 Oras...



Snapshots from the video

Cute Pinay j3mj3m Elated Over MANNY PACQUIAO vs. OSCAR DE LA HOYA on December 6, 2008

OMG, OMG, Oh my freakin' god, she's cute and she's Pinay, lives in the United States. She has a half-Mexican boyfriend and she's elated on the December 6, 2008 bout of Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar De la Hoya. Her name is Jemellee aka j3mj3m, here's her video, elated over Pacquiao vs. De la Hoya...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTH4FoCcV9o

Some snapshots from the video








She reminds me of a young Christine Gambito also known as HappySlip in YouTubeLandia

http://www.youtube.com/user/j3mj3m