By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The christening of the baby daughter of Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and his charming wife Jinkee with the unusual name of Queen Elizabeth or “Queenie,” is clearly an event fit for a queen.
The roster of Godparents who were reportedly handpicked by Pacquiao reflects a cross-section of his friends in politics, the military, show business and the media.
The christening will be held at the Church of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Pacquiao and wife Jinkee’s hometown of General Santos City at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 22
There are 32 gentlemen and 16 ladies who will make up the list which is headed by vice president Noli de Castro, Pacquiao’s close friend AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Alexander Yano, Lt.Gen. Victor Ibrado, his constant companion during his fights in Las Vegas as well as occasional partner and cockfighting aficionado ,
Assistant National Security Adviser and former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, a collection of senators headed by former Senate president Manny Villar and a leader in the House of Representatives, congressman Monico Puentevella as well as chairman Ephraim Genuino of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
The intriguing question that surfaces in a cursory reading of the list of Godparents is the inclusion of ABS-CBN’s influential TV anchorperson and dzMM Radio host and commentator Korina Sanchez with whom Pacquiao had some major differences following the last congressional elections when he lost to incumbent Darlene Antonino Custodio in a bid for the congressional seat in General Santos.
Equally surprising is the non-inclusion of TV sports anchor and widely-known reporter/commentator Dyan Castilljo whose extensive pre and post-fight coverage of Pacquiao and all his major activities have won commendation for their fairness and quality.
One Team Pacquiao insider who didn’t wish to be quoted told us “it was definitely an oversight” while close friend and confidant Rex :”Wakee” Salud who is among the Team Pacquiao members among the godparents along with Pacquiao’s business manager Eric Pineda and his wife Macy said he was “surprised that Dyan was not included.” Ironicaly, Castillejo will fly to GenSan after covering the Gerry Penalosa-German Meraz fight in Cebu on Saturday night to chronicle the christening early the following morning.
The addition of another ABS-CBN TV/Radio anchor Alex Santos and political affairs lawyer and longtime passionate boxing fan Atty. Romeo Macalintal as godparents provides a clue to Pacquiao’s political intentions since he has made it clear in more than one occasion in the past that he wants to run for public office to help the poor in particular.
GMA 7 where his fights are telecast in cooperation with Solar Sports which has the Philippine rights and where Pacquiao now has a TV show with Robin Padilla is also well represented with top executives Wilma Galvante and Redgie Magno among others as well as Annelle Gozon.
The ladies are headed by Sen. Loren Legarda. Among her colleagues from the Senate who have been chosen as godparents are senators. Villar, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla who are both popular showbiz personalities, along with Senators Francis Escudero, Miguel Zubiri and Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan. Another movie and TV star among the godparents is Philip Salvador.
The daughter of big businessman John Gokongwei, Robina Gokongwei Pe is joined by other well known personalities among them Lilia Pineda, Annabelle Rama, Dra. Vicky Belo and Ms. Bing Atienza.
Sarangani’s youthful governor Miguel Dominguez is also among the godparents together with ex-Mayor Alfonso Singcoy
The list reads like a veritable who’s who in the following order: VP Noli de Castro, Gen. Alexander Yano, Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, Sen. Manny Villar, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Francis Escudero, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr, Sen. Miguel Zubiri, Sen. Gregorio Honasan, Asst. Sec. Luis “Chavit’ Singson, Cong. Monico Puentevella, Gov. Miguel Dominguez, Fiscal Benny Nicdao, Atty. Romeo Macalintal, Atty. Rommel Agan, Atty. Tomas Falgui II, Atty. Giovanni Mata, Atty. Orlando Salatandre Jr. Ex- Mayor Alfonso Singcoy, Enrico Pineda, Rex “Wakee” Salud, Alexander Santos, Paulo Duterte, Charlie Ang, Philip Salvador, Dr. Jose Herrera Jr, Melquiedes Robles, Antonio Albano, Johnny Domino, Jason Strong, Orville Roque, Sen. Loren Legarda, Wilma Galvante, Korina Sanchez, Redgie Magno, Annelle Gozon, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Dra. Vicky Belo, Bing Atienza, Macy Pineda, Regina Bagsic, Lilia Pineda, Olive Soriano, Margie Kho, Annabelle Rama, Trisha Versoza and Joanne Ramos.
