Manny Pacquiao Training in Baguio City
September 24, 2009 by lisa
Filed under people & events
Of course we are all thrilled that Manny Pacquiao chose to train in Baguio City, despite the suggestions of his coach and trainer Tim Roach that he train in Mexico for this November bout with WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto who is already on his first month of training by now in Tampa, Florida. Cotto, who has moved from Puerto Rico to Florida, has had about a month’s headstart over Manny Pacquiao who just started his training here a few days ago.
We are also pleased that Manny is happy he has found a place in his own country where he can train. He was concerned about kidnappings in Mexico of wealthy individuals (and we all know how wealthy Manny Pacquiao is by now). Tim Roach apparently is very happy with the special gym set up by the owners of the CooyeeSan Mall.
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service taxes individuals who stay in America for over 180 days, which is why Manny cannot train there for too long for his second bout in that country within the same year.
Manny, who loves the attention from adoring fans, chose immediately upon arrival to take a one-hour run right in the heart of the City of Pines, Burnham Park, and of course throngs of people were around to watch him, inching in closer to the biggest boxing success the Philippines has ever produced.
Many athletes train in Baguio City because of the weather that approximates that of colder countries, and the altitude and “thin air” that builds up their resistance. This is why many cyclists train here too. I remember the 1970s-80s Tour of Luzon that of course included Kennon Road as part of the route for which many trained.
Of course we are thrilled to have a celebrity in our midst. But Manny Pacquiao is starting his training for this important bout a bit late, and the residents of the city will help better by leaving him alone, so he can decide to make the City of Pines his permanent training venue.
I’m sure Manny and his trainers have discovered the fresh air at Lamtang Road, that is near their “training camp,” where he can probably jog in peace. Another great place for jogging in privacy would be at the track oval at Teacher’s Camp.
We can also help by making the air cleaner for him to breathe (and for ourselves, too) as he jogs around Burnham Park by decongesting the city center and rationalizing the jeepney routes so they all do not use the center of town as their depot.
I really hope he falls in love with the place and the friendly natives, and selects Baguio City as his permanent training venue.
I have no intentions of trying to see Manny Pacquiao in person. I am just thrilled we’re breathing the same air and looking up at the same sky.
So I will do all I can to help Manny Pacquiao’s win his next match — while he is in Baguio, I will leave him alone!
We just...
For such a distinguished guest Lisa, the city missed the boat in not giving Burnham park’s asphalt road a fresh overlay. The gravel is jutting out of the asphalt and has been that way for over four years now.
Hi Lisa,
Wow ha…breathing the same air as Manny? Children of a lesser god now are we? Anyway I love him too and found out he has a blog pala! He writes in tagalog about a coal-fired power plant in SARANGGANI that he will oppose because he took an oath in the panatang makabayan.. Galing di ba? Anyway I emailed him to say that I believed he wrote the blog personally because the youth and notsoyouthful need people to believe in and asked how I can subscribe to his blogs exclusively cause I don’t want boxing trivia to clog my inbox. He should have his own domain by now since he can afford it naman di ba? Maybe he needs a little blogger advise? Miss u much, Ida
Hiya Resty,
Well, your local government is planning to spend 400 million for a Burnham Park renovation, right? But I think that’s reserved for WALLS — like walling the skating rink or putting a fence around it, or erecting commercial spaces and building government offices.
The politicians believe that the electorate is impressed by structures, no matter how unnecessary, ugly, or ill-advised. But maintenance of the place is another matter, so your asphalt will have to wait, I guess.
Hey Ida!
I googled mannypacquiao.com and found many fan sites, not the one you are talking about. Which one is his blog? It’s interesting that he can find the time to even write.
Miss you so much, too.
For more Pacquiao vs Cotto updates, visit http://pacquiao-vs-cotto.cebuspace.com/
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Pacquiao vs Cotto update
Manny is a happy go lucky type of guy, and that’s commendable. That said, he needs to stay away from so many thugs especially in politics. If he wants to run for elected office, he should do it in his own terms and seek advice from non-trapo and just plain ol’ good people.
Iron Mike Tyson earned a massive $350 million in just 10 years of boxing. Now, he is destitute and full of debts it worries me he might kill himself. If Pakyaw loses his accumulated wealth for whatever reason, I’ll just laugh!
Hi TruBlue,
In magazine features I have read that Manny Pacquiao is pushing though with his political plans borne out of a genuine desire to help people. BUT ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO ENTER POLITICS TO BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE! He can use his popularity to effect policy change even as a private person, become an ambassador of goodwill, he can set up his foundation for his pet projects, he can set up a cooperative for boxers and other sportsmen, the possibilities are endless.
A film clip of him running with PMA cadets makes me admire him the more.