By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Filipino ring idol and national treasure Manny Pacquiao has teamed up with San Miguel Corporation in a mega-buck deal that makes the boxing sensation a business partner of the Philippines flagship corporation and Southeast Asia’s biggest food and beverage company.
Pacquiao was all smiles at a well-attended luncheon news conference at the SMC Executive Lounge hosted by San Miguel President and CEO Ramon Ang who was also in very high spirits having clearly and quietly beaten competitors to the most popular personality in the country today.
Under the agreement Pacquiao will represent San Miguel as a corporation and endorse San Miguel’s beer products, hard liquors and food products. Pacquiao said he was happy to be a partner with such a distinguished
corporation that is a household name in the country.
Pacquiao told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today the business partnership would enable him to take good care of his wife and family and to help others in need like he has always done since becoming a world champion. Pacquiao once again appealed for unity that would help move the country forward, instead of divisiveness.
Ang said "this agreement is in recognition of an excellent athlete who deserves recognition and reward for making our country proud and putting back the Philippines in the world map." At the same time he said "let is accentuate the positives in our country and in champions like Manny who has brought us so much honor."
The statements came even as reports of a supposed indiscretion by Pacquiao hit the headlines in which he was reported to have fathered a son by a "spotter" at a billiard hall and later stopped supporting the boy. Appearing on the ABS-CBN network program "Magandang Umaga Bayan" Pacquiao said he had helped so many people in the past that if indeed he had a son as claimed why wouldn't he provide support.
When asked about the story by journalists Pacquiao replied "I am a boxer, ask me about boxing please."
As part of the business partnership Pacquiao will tour the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region to promote San Miguel and will become a "business franchisee" of the corporation. San Miguel has also agreed to sponsor Pacquiao’s personal business ventures including his concerts, movies and other promotional activities as a singer, actor and performer.
San Miguel will also provide marketing and distribution assistance toPacquiao’s "MP" product lines.
Although no figures were released the Pacquiao deal reportedly amounts to P100 million which is the biggest contract entered into by SMC with any endorser and even bigger than the multi-million peso deal of the late "King" of Philippine movies Fernando Poe Jr.
