Manny Pacquiao Visits Yolanda-Stricken Tacloban

             Despite BIR woes, Manny Pacquiao, who recently came home from Macau after he won his fight against Rios last November, visits evacuation center in Tacloban City, showing he's a man of words. It should be noted previously that he already promised to go to Tacloban City, win or loss, prior to his match with Brandon 'Bambam' Rios. 

AFP photo

             Past 8 am, Pacquiao first visited Tacloban City Hall, where he was met by Mayor Alfred Romualdez, and some of his colleagues. In the area, he was greeted by shrieks and jollity of the people, survivors, volunteers, and workers. There were also throngs of reporters, hoping to get a glimpse of Pacquiao, and, possibly, interview him on the spot. Before he went to Tacloban, it has been reported that he first visited several parts of Samar and Eastern Samar. He also went to Barangay Suhi, the very area where some 145 bodies were buried. It is said that he spent his Saturday night at Guiuian Eastern Samar before he proceeded to Tacloban City.

             During his visit, he wasn't able to give tons of relief goods, but only modest amounts of cash and Bibles to the victims. Despite money issues, he had also made a donation of 2.5 million pesos to the government of Tacloban for reconstruction. During his short speech, he encouraged everyone to not lose hope and always remember God in times of ordeal. 

             Nevertheless, his mere presence is already a gift to his fans in the area, awaiting to see him personally for years. They said that his presence alone can already make them forget the suffering that Yolanda brought them. Some even said that their idol is truly a good man. 

             Palo, Leyte is his next stop. 

             With or without relief goods, having seen a personality as popular and as skilled as Pacquiao in the filed of boxing can definitely be an ice breaker in the midst of daily struggles of the survivors to stand again. I hope you won't change, Pacman. Continue fighting for our country. May you be blessed more and may your issues be settled peacefully.