GMA News has reported that boxing champion and Philippine pride Manny Pacquiao confirmed today, October 11, that he had signed a contract to star in a show on GMA-7.
"Abangan n'yo po yung darating na show ko this coming November sa GMA," said Pacquiao during his live appearance in SiS this morning, where he was joined by wife Jinky and their three children.
Pacquiao said, however, that the title and the type of his upcoming show are still under wraps.
With his show contract with GMA-7, Pacquiao admitted that he might set aside his boxing career for a while and focus on his family and his new television show.
He said in an interview, "Kalimutan ko muna ang boxing... Mag-focus muna ako sa pamilya ko at sa magiging show ko sa GMA."
Pacquiao retained his World Boxing Council International superfeatherweight title by unanimous decision after beating Mexico's Marco Antonio Barrera last Sunday, October 7, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
GMA Network executives, led by GMA-7 President and CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon, greeted Pacquiao when he visited the Kapuso network.
The much celebrated boxer said he was grateful for the Kapuso network's grand welcome. "Nagpapasalamat po ako sa mainit na pagtanggap sa akin sa lahat ng mga Kapuso," beamed Manny.
Pacquiao also revealed that he pulled the leg of his companions when he told them he was heavier than the required 130 pounds for his division.
"Before the weighing nakuha ko na yung timbang ko. Tapos niloko ko lang yung team ko, sabi ko overweight ako," Manny said, smiling.
A day before the official weigh in, Pacquiao reportedly hit the scale four pounds heavier.
On fight day, however, Pacquiao immediately regained his lost weight and scaled in at 144 pounds.
In an earlier interview with Arnold Clavio in Unang Hirit, Manny revealed that he has scheduled three boxing matches next year; one each in March, July, and November.
HERO'S WELCOME. Manny also answered the controversy surrounding his non-appearance at the scheduled hero's welcome in the city of Manila. In
his past fights, Pacquiao used to go to Manila City Hall on the day of his
arrival for a hero's welcome after his victories. But that did not happen today because the boxing
champ immediately went to former Manila Mayor and now Secretary Lito Atienza's office at the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Pacquiao said that the former Manila mayor is almost like a "second father" to him.
He also clarified that he did not snub the planned welcome ceremonies in Manila because he was not informed about it.
"Sabi ko, paano ko ii-snub, e, ngayon ko lang nalaman. Wala namang nakipag-coordinate sa akin. Walang tumawag sa akin talaga," Pacquiao explained.
"Dati kasi, one week before the fight, naka-set na yung equipment. This time, wala talagang tumawag sa akin from Manila, na may sasalubong sa akin, na naghanda sila."
Former Senator Alfredo Lim is now the mayor of Manila.