Philippine Sports News and Updates

Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao said he just can’t resist helping those who are in need even while he is in deep training for his “Fire Power” match with WBO champion Miguel Cotto.

This is the reason he went down to Manila from his training camp in Baguio City despite the advice of his boxing coach Freddie Roach.

“Kahit na nasa gitna na kami ng training, hindi naman ako nakakalimot sa mga kababayan kong naghihirap ngayon dahil na rin sa epekto ng bagyong si Ondoy na nanalasa sa maraming bahagi ng bansa,” Pacquiao said in his column “Kumbinasyon” which is posted on PhilBoxing.com.

Pacquiao braved the rains brought by Typhoon “Pepeng” last Sunday just to personally help the people who were devastated by “Ondoy.”

The General Santos City native said he wanted to help uplift the spirits of the people who were downtrodden by the storm.

“Bakas sa mga mukha ng mga tao ang pagod, gutom at kalungkutan, pero sa maliit na pagkakataon ay nagawa ko silang pasayahin at mabigyan man lang ng kaunting ngiti ang kanilang mga mukha,” he said.

He added that his Manny Pacquiao Foundation is currently working to gather more relief goods to help the evacuees.

“Natutuwa ako sa pagdagsa ng suporta lalung-lalo na iyong mga manggagaling sa US at ayon sa aking nabalitaan ay may tatlong 40-foot container na ang paparating para maipamudmod sa lahat ng nangangailangan,” said Pacquiao.

After helping out in the relief operations last Sunday in Rizal province, one of the areas hardest hit by Ondoy, Pacquiao went back to Baguio City to resume his training.

Pacquiao sponsors darts competition

Meanwhile, Pacquiao will pour P5 million to sponsor a darts competition slated to take place at the Lagao Gymnasium in General Santos City.

According to the National Darts Federation of the Philippines (NDFP) (www.ndfpdarts.com), the Manny Pacquiao P5 Million International Darts Classic will run from Nov. 27 to 30.

The cash prizes include a total of P2 million for the Open Singles event with the champion winning P700,000.

In the Fix Four-Person Team event, the total cash prize is P800,000. The winner will get P300,000.

The Fix Doubles, meantime, will offer P500,000 in total prizes. The doubles champions will take home P120,000.

“Manny believes the Filipino darters are competent players that can make a name in the International dart scene with the proper support, encouragement and exposure,” the NDFP said on its website.

Pacquiao has been sponsoring darts tournaments since 2008. There was the Manny Pacquiao P2 Million Darts Classic in December 2008, along with the P300,000 Pacman I and II Series of 2008.

In 2009, the $30,000 Pacmania I and the $100,000 Pacmania II were held in the United States.

There were also darts tournaments held in Malungon and Alabel in Saragani Province. Both events offered a total cash prize of P300,000 each.

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