ERIK Morales thought that Filipinos considered him a villain
That was until the world-famous Filipino hospitality embraced and held him dear.
The iconic Mexican pug, in the country to vacation on one of its most exclusive island resorts and to film a television commercial for San Miguel, fell in love with the Philippines the moment he set foot on its soil.
He admits to being completely bowled over by the people’s warmth and the welcome he received.
“I was surprised that the Filipinos are so warm,” said Morales, as quoted by a confidante of his nemesis Manny Pacquiao. “Initially, I was scared (to come over) because of all the negative publicity (about the Philippines).
‘Filipinos love Manny’
“I thought that I was such a villain here because the Filipino people love Manny (Pacquiao) so much.”
Morales, according to the source who requested not to be named, recalled how he was mobbed on Monday by diners and shoppers at the Rockwell Power Plant Mall who recognized him even though he was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses to conceal his identity.
“I thought that the people here hated me,” Morales said.
The 30-year-old, a native of Tijuana who flew in Saturday evening, described the Philippines as “very much like Mexico, the people here also having a solid religious background.”
With wife and pal
Morales planed in with his 23-year-old wife Andrea, a teacher with whom he has an 11-month-old son, and Jorge Quezada, a childhood friend who carries the Mexican flag to the ring in all his fights.
The former two-time world champion’s party had dinner Monday night at the residence of businessman-sportsman Hermie Esguerra, where they were joined by Aida and Mario Cagayat, a Filipino couple that owns a house next to the Moraleses in California.
“Morales could not believe what he saw on TV about the many devotees to the Black Nazarene,” added the source, who was included in the group that, together with Esguerra’s family, feasted on lechon (roast pig) and other Filipino delicacies.
Suspected ulcer
Pacquiao was supposed to be in that gathering but had to check himself in at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital in Mandaluyong City due to suspected ulcer. Doctors were expected to order the release of the Filipino boxing superstar yesterday afternoon.
Morales and Pacquiao, who will film the San Miguel Beer commercial together with American trainer Freddie Roach, actually met Saturday night at the Diamond Hotel on Roxas Boulevard. They were said to have downed several beers each before retiring in the small hours of Sunday.
Morales, Andrea and Jorge will fly to the Amanpulo resort off Palawan on Saturday for a much-needed vacation, away from the prying eyes of the public and the media.
“It’s expensive there,” the source added. “From what I heard, a trip there would easily cost around P700,000 per head.”
The iconic Mexican pug, in the country to vacation on one of its most exclusive island resorts and to film a television commercial for San Miguel, fell in love with the Philippines the moment he set foot on its soil.
He admits to being completely bowled over by the people’s warmth and the welcome he received.
“I was surprised that the Filipinos are so warm,” said Morales, as quoted by a confidante of his nemesis Manny Pacquiao. “Initially, I was scared (to come over) because of all the negative publicity (about the Philippines).
‘Filipinos love Manny’
“I thought that I was such a villain here because the Filipino people love Manny (Pacquiao) so much.”
Morales, according to the source who requested not to be named, recalled how he was mobbed on Monday by diners and shoppers at the Rockwell Power Plant Mall who recognized him even though he was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses to conceal his identity.
“I thought that the people here hated me,” Morales said.
The 30-year-old, a native of Tijuana who flew in Saturday evening, described the Philippines as “very much like Mexico, the people here also having a solid religious background.”
With wife and pal
Morales planed in with his 23-year-old wife Andrea, a teacher with whom he has an 11-month-old son, and Jorge Quezada, a childhood friend who carries the Mexican flag to the ring in all his fights.
The former two-time world champion’s party had dinner Monday night at the residence of businessman-sportsman Hermie Esguerra, where they were joined by Aida and Mario Cagayat, a Filipino couple that owns a house next to the Moraleses in California.
“Morales could not believe what he saw on TV about the many devotees to the Black Nazarene,” added the source, who was included in the group that, together with Esguerra’s family, feasted on lechon (roast pig) and other Filipino delicacies.
Suspected ulcer
Pacquiao was supposed to be in that gathering but had to check himself in at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital in Mandaluyong City due to suspected ulcer. Doctors were expected to order the release of the Filipino boxing superstar yesterday afternoon.
Morales and Pacquiao, who will film the San Miguel Beer commercial together with American trainer Freddie Roach, actually met Saturday night at the Diamond Hotel on Roxas Boulevard. They were said to have downed several beers each before retiring in the small hours of Sunday.
Morales, Andrea and Jorge will fly to the Amanpulo resort off Palawan on Saturday for a much-needed vacation, away from the prying eyes of the public and the media.
“It’s expensive there,” the source added. “From what I heard, a trip there would easily cost around P700,000 per head.”
posted by Achilez at
8:55 AM
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