1 Peter 3:8
“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”

1. Manny Pacquiao

The Boxing Champ alone is reason enough. Pacquiao has made his way into super stardom in years with his flurry of hard-hitting punches and dynamic footwork. Many will attest each of his fight is as exciting, if not better than the last. Every fight is highly anticipated. He is a fighter unlike any other and upcoming generations will find it close to impossible to even come close in replicating his feat.

Manny will be against a Junior Welterweight. 140 may not be 147 but then again Manny is pretty much a true 140-pound fighter who, like most in that weight class, moved up to welterweight for the bigger-named fights. A fight between two light footed fighters only means rounds full of fleet-footed action.

2. Timothy Bradley

Bradley is an awesome fighter with an undefeated record at 140 lbs. He has already fought elite top guys at Junior Welterweight such as Kendall Holt, Nate Campbell, Lamont Peterson and Devon Alexander.

Bradley is hungry, primed, and passionate. He also has a heart of a champion. He once proved in a fight against Kendall Holt that he has all the heart in the world. When Bradley fought against Kendall Holt, he was easily floored hard in the first round.  Others would have continued to sleep when they hit the canvas hard, but not Bradley. He fought on and continued to press forward at Holt, outworking him and outpointing him to a unanimous decision.

Pacquiao vs. Bradley will be as explosive as the Pacquiao vs. Hatton fight. It might have been a two round fight but it was exciting from bell to bell. Hatton just kept coming forward, pressing Manny even when he was being beaten to the punch and outclassed.

Bradley has a similar style of fighting as Hatton, as they both keep pressing forward and aim to outwork their opponents. Fights with boxers with that fighting made for the best fights in Pacquiao’s career.

This fight will be whole lot more competitive than many are writing it off to be.

Unofficially dubbed as the Mexicutioner, Pacquiao has defeated many Mexican fighters. A question is being posted: will Manny Pacquaio be able to defeat top African-American boxers? Outside Mayweather, Timothy Bradley may be the solution to the query.

3. It may be the Champ’s last fight

News circulating about the Boxing Champ’s retirement is true. Pacquiao seems to have solidly made up his mind to retire after the fight with Bradley. He wants to focus more on serving God, his country, especially the district he represents and protecting the environment. His retirement is also a long overdue promise he made to his mother Mommy Dionisia.

The June 9 fight with Bradley might be Pacquiao’s last fight.  If so, Bradley then will have the honor of being Pacquiao’s (might be) very last opponent just because Mayweather is too much of a coward to face the “Pambansang Kamao”. It’s more the reason to watch for or even attend it live in person.

Mayweather can’t blame anyone if the fight of the century won’t push through before Pacquiao retires. Pacquiao’s camp has been hard at trying to meet the Mayweather’s demands. Pacquiao even said yes to the 50/50 split and accepted to undergo an Olympic standard blood test to determine whether or not he is truly using banned performance enhancing drugs.

Mayweather demanded more but the 8 division boxing champ and Sarangani Representative won’t allow to be stepped on and his pride spat at. After all, he is considered the best fighters in the world and one of the top athletes of the decade.

Truth be told, Pacquiao doesn’t need to fight Mayweather to be great. He has already done so much in his lifetime- more than any upcoming boxing superstar can ever achieve.

In Muhammad Ali’s birthday which was recently celebrated, Rasheeda Ali saw Manny Pacquiao similar to his father as a fighter and an inspiration to many. She considered Pacquiao and her dad as the two greatest boxers in the world!

The Pacquiao vs. Bradley fight may be the last but it’ll most certainly be not the least. (John Nunez and Rose Tamayo-Tesoro)

World Boxing Champ and Sarangani Province lone district Representative Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao will face former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr., next year.

But the showdown won’t be in the boxing ring. It will be in a court of law, where a judge and jury will eventually decide on a defamation lawsuit Pacquaio filed against Mayweather and his uncle Roger Mayweather.

Immediately upon arriving Las Vegas, Pacquiao attended a deposition hearing on Friday morning at 10 o’clock (US Time).

Pacquiao filed the lawsuit due to comments that Mayweather allegedly made in the past about him possibly being on performance-enhancing drugs.

“They (Mayweathers) made an accusation against Manny for using enhancement drugs which we never use. So it’s going to be up to the lawyers to present that to the jury and the jury to make the determination. Next year, they will be ready to go on trial”, Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s financial adviser said.

Fights were planned several times in the past but none pushed through because Mayweather’s camp insisted Pacquiao to undergo a drug test first.  Pacquiao has finally reached his tipping point.

Unfortunately, the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight will not gonna happen in the ring.

Mayweather will fight WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto on May 5 in Las Vegas, while Pacquiao is taking on Timothy Bradley on June 9, also in Las Vegas. WBC junior middleweight champion Saul Alvarez is reportedly going to be next for Mayweather in late 2012 or early 2013, while Pacquiao expressed his intentions on retiring this year. (John Nunez and Rose Tamayo-Tesoro)

Explore the tropical paradise in the southern tip of the Philippines. Loosen up, let your hair down and frolic in the powdery white sand beach. Swim and catch the golden rays of the sun as you take a dip and soak in the pristine clear water. Watch the glistening golden sunset amidst lulling waves and cool breeze.

Dive and snorkeling fanatics can’t get enough of the marvelous diving grounds where exotic and untouched coral gardens spread out. One will be captivated with the colorful marine life and it will be no surprise when one gets hooked in Sarangani’s haven of amazing marine treasures.

Nature trippers find refuge in the clean peaceful white sand beach of Gumasa. But these beaches come alive and grooves with sights and sounds during Sarangani Bay Festival, a festive event every month of May that advocates the conservation and protection of Sarangani Bay.  Join the Bay Festival revelry and have fun for a good cause.

Scream with delight as you make your way through the rough rapids of Pangi river in New la Union.  Put your adventurous streak to test and survive the 1.6 kilometer white water tubing ride.

Sarangani is a melting pot of rich Filipino culture that continues to imbibe the values and traditions of our brethren from the tribes of Blaan, Tagakaolo, Tboli, Manobo, Ubo, Kalagan and Moro. Tribal villages abound proudly practicing cultural traditions evidently seen in their daily lifestyle and craftsmanship.  Their artwork has captured both the local market and neighboring countries.

Sarangani is proud of its ethnicity and origin since in 1992, amazing archeological finds of anthropomorphic burial jars carbon dated to 500 BC were discovered in Maitum.

These artifacts are material evidence of the backbone of Maguindanao pre-history. Our pride in the ethnicity and origin of Sarangani is celebrated every month of November in the MunaTo Festival. Cultural shows and activities are the focal interest.  Come and see the colorful attires, bright smiles, graceful artworks so you will be immersed and be transported in time of our rich cultural era.

Sarangani Province became an independent province in 1992 through Republic Act 7228.  This has spurred economic and social development in Sarangani’s seven abundant towns of Alabel, Malungon, Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum, Malapatan and Glan,  Today, world class infrastructure, efficient social services, and economic zones has spawned the progress of Sarangani into a globally competitive province.

Visit Sarangani! Hop on a plane and land in General Santos City International Airport, then take a cab or jeepney and in no time you are in Sarangani Province. When taking the Davao route, simply take a private vehicle or a bus ride and in two hours you are in Sarangani’s doorstep!

Sarangani Province is accessible by plane and boat. Jeepneys and public vans take a daily route from General Santos City toSarangani Province.  Car rental services are available with rates depending on the area and distance traveled.

You may contact Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotions Center at 3/F National Agency Building , Capitol Grounds, Alabel, Sarangani Province with Telefax : (083) 508-5230 or at stipc@yahoo.com.ph for your travel guide.

Investment……

Armed with vision and determination, Sarangani pulls all stops to compete in a market in search of fresh ideas and new opportunities.

White beaches; commercial plantations; mangrove forests; aqua-marine farms and entrepreneurial private sector; a business-friendly local government…. all these and more are the pride of Sarangani, a province whose 475,514 residents reflect the diversity and abundance of Mindanaoan culture: Cebuanos and Illongos, Blaans and Tboli, Ilocanos, Tagakaolo and Kalagan, Manobo and Ubo, as well as Muslims.

Strategically located at the southernmost tip of Mindanao, the province is protected by the resource-rich Sarangani Bay. Beyond this is the Celebes Sea, which is the province’s access to the rest of the world.

Bordered by over 230 kms. of unspoiled coastline, Sarangani offers more than 4,400 sq. kms. of typhoon-free land and marine resources, largely untapped tourism potentials, and vast investment possibilities.

Abundant Opportunities…..

Coconut, corn, rice, banana, mango, durian, rubber, and sugarcane are just some of the major crops now being planted by the Sarangans. Other possibilities lie in a wide range of commercial choices: industrial plantations (mango, abaca, coffee, rubber, and rattan), agro-forestry (high-value crops), light manufacturing and processing facilities, real estate and housing, tourism, beach resorts, hotels and restaurants, recreational facilities, port zone development, milling plants, fruit production, processing of canned fruits and vegetables, production of ornamental plants, furniture, trading, telecommunications, mining, and aquaculture.

Sarangani’s favorable investment climate is manifested by the large plantations (mango, banana, pineapple, asparagus), cattle ranches, and commercial fishponds that have been operating in the area, some of which having existed as far back as 40 years.

Businesses locating in the province are assured of stable power and water supply. Electricity comes from the National Power Corporation, and augmented by a 50 mw power plant in Alabel, the province’s capital. Water is provided for by sustainable spring development projects.

Cluster and regional involvement……

Sarangani is part of the South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-Gen. Santos City (Socsksargen) development cluster, and is linked by paved roads to the international airport and world-class fish port of Gen. Santos City. Good roads and regular flights through Gen. Santos City allow the province easy access to Manila, Cebu, Davao City, as well as the rest of the Socsksargen areas. Gen. Santos City’s airport has one of the country’s longest runways.

The province is situated as the country’s major gateway to the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines - East Asean Growth Area. With its proximity to its regional counterparts, Sarangani is in a unique position to marshal its resources, entice tourists and investors, and compete in an international market under a borderless trade regime.

John 6:47
Very truly i tell you,  the one who believes has eternal life.

Two days before Valentine’s day, the Pacquiao couple and their kith and kin, along with friends and supporters, proceeded to the beach hideaway to take time to bond, play and pray together.

The two-day bonding and beach outing was capped by a million-peso parlor games, the first of its kind not just here but maybe in the entire country.

Star-studded…
Pacquiao went to Kiamba town Sunday afternoon to grace the opening ceremony of Kiamba’s 64^th Foundation Anniversary.

Showbiz personalities brought in by Pacquiao swamped this pipsqueak town, to the great delight of the locals.

Those who came over included Dennis Padilla, Long Mejia, Bayani Agbayani, Benjie Paras, Paulo Contes, Pekto, Onyok Velasco, John Regala, Danny Labra, Black Jack, Jack En Poy and the Jackson Brothers.

Mayor Danny Martinez thanked Pacquiao for his generosity in bringing over here the showbiz stars.

All the expenses covering food, hotel accommodation and talent fees were shouldered by the Pacman.

“This is the first time in the history of Kiamba that more than a dozen artists from Manila attended our foundation anniversary celebration to entertain the locals. We owe this to our beloved congressman Manny Pacquiao,” Martinez said.

It was almost a nonstop entertainment which lasted until midnight.

Thereafter, the Pacquiao convoy together with showbiz entertainers proceeded to Tuka beach aboard a “Pakura”, a small outrigger boat capable of carrying four to five passengers.

From the town poblacion, Pakura, on cavalcade, swooshed through Sarangani Bay heading to Tuka beach.

Excitement and fear gripped the heart of everyone as the tiny sea crafts sailed out to sea for 15 minutes amidst the darkness.

Tuka beach is a secluded area accessible only by boat from the town poblacion.

It has about a half-kilometer stretch of white sand beach and crystal-clear water.

It is part of a protected area. No wonder, a lone cottage, with three sizable rooms, is made up of indigenous materials.

Pacquiao’s rented seaside property does not offer ample facilities, but, it already has the basic amenities beachgoers needed the most.

Fully-grown coconut trees line up the shoreline about 20 meters away from the high tide mark.

Strengthened family bond…
Upon arrival, many of those who joined in the excursion stayed awake up to 4:00 a.m.

Black Jack joined with the local band entertaining people with their songs.

Foods and drinks flowed.

The Pacman and his wife, Jinkee, joined in the fray, singing several of their favourite romantic songs.

The Pacquiao couple played the role of a wonderful, if not perfect, hosts inviting everyone to join in the fun and partake of the foods and drinks.

The Pacman never touched the wine. He was enjoying the other side of himself – the singer, not the boxer.

Some who decided to sleep early spread either mats or tarpaulins on the sand. Others put up tents, while the rests, many of them, just slept on the sand under the coconut trees.

Almost everybody was up just in time for lunch. This was followed, afterwards, by a short break, then, Bible study.

Jinkee’s family, her mom and dad, brothers and sisters arrived one after the other.

Then the Bible study started off led by the two protestant pastors. It was the longest Bible study held here since the Pacman became a changed man.

The topic focused on family relationship and how God loves mankind. The biblical passages read tugged at the heartstrings.

Tears flowed long before the Bible study wound up. Jinkee’s family surrounded her and they started hugging each other.

Apologies, expression of regrets filled the air amid the billowing tears and sweet embrace.

The poignant sight was capped by the Pacman’s gesture of extraordinary humility – hugging and kissing his wife and in-laws.

Everybody was in tears. Tears of inexplicable joy after seeing the real-life drama of the once detached Pacquiao and Jamora families ended up in reconciliation.

No doubt, the bond that ties the Pacquiao and Jamora Family is much stronger now than before. The pre-Valentine day was truly memorable and unforgettable.

The million-peso parlor games…
After gracing the closing ceremony of Kiamba foundation anniversary fete, Pacman went back to his resort to hold another Bible study under the shades of coconut trees.

Downpour came but this failed to stop the activity.

Valentine’s day ended with a big bang! The boxer-politician held parlor games with as high as P100,000 winning cash prize up for grabs.

Even the losers did not go home empty-handed. Each of them got a share of not less than P6,500 cash prize after participating in the sack race, longest line, coconut race, fill-the-bottle, egg race and tug-of-war.

At the start, the winner’s cash prize ranged from P50,000 to P80,000 and the loser’s reward varied from P25,000 to P40,000.

However, as the competition became more exciting and intense, Pacman decided to increase the reward to P100,000 and P50,000 for the winners and losers respectively.

Those who joined in the parlor games, among others, were Sarangani vice governor Steve Solon, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Elmer De Peralta and the doctors who were on medical mission.

Pacman shelled out a total of about P1.26 in cash prizes. It was fun, everybody was happy.

De Peralta said he noticed that Pacquiao now is more devoted and closer to his family than before.

“What is amazing, Cong. Pacquiao becomes even more generous and humble now that he is already a renewed person,” De Peralta said. (Aquiles Z. Zonio)