Tourists raid Pacquiao stores before Clottey fight
MANILA, Philippines - If there's anything you can't miss on a trip to General Santos City, it's a visit to boxer Manny Pacquiao's clothing and accessories stores.
This is according to Manila-based and foreign tourists who were seen browsing a Team Pacquiao store for signature jackets and t-shirts that double as tourist souveniers.
General Santos City, located in the southern part of the Philippines, became famous as Pacquiao's hometown more than its booming tuna fishing industry.
The city, located in South Cotabato, is home to many of the Pacquiao family's businesses, including coffee house franchises and boutiques by his wife, Jinkee Pacquiao.
"Ok ang store. [Ang dami ng] pagpipilian. Sinadya talaga namin pumunta dito. (The store is okay. There are lots of things to choose from. We really went out of our way to come here)," said tourist Aida Timbreza.
Team Pacquiao stores, located in both Robinson's Place Mall and the JMP building along Osmeña street in GenSan, are stocked with complete Pacquiao merchandise.
These include new slippers printed with Pacquiao's face, clothes for men and other accessories. Pacquiao, as a brand endorser for Nike, has signature t-shirts, shoes and jackets marked with a special seal.
'Money not an issue'
Dr. Wilma Heramil, who came from a neighboring municipality in South Cotabato called Polomolok, spent more than P5,000 on t-shirts and caps alone.
Heramil told ABS-CBN News that these apparel were specially requested by her relatives in San Diego, California.
"Ipadala ko doon. Gustong gusto nila. Suotin daw nila sa gagawing party. Reason ng gathering nila si Pacman. (I will send it there. They really want it. They will wear these for as party in Pacman's honor)," she said.
Heramil added that her relatives will be wearing these merchandise in time for Pacquiao's March 13 fight against Ghanian boxer Joshua Clottey.
The Team Pacquiao's store supervisor, Rex Aniero, says tourists often flock to the shop every time Pacquiao has an impending fight.
He said items that sell the most are signature items like boxing gloves and Victorinox wristwatches that each cost P30,000--the store's most expensive item.
Aniero said money is not an issue for die-hard Pacquiao fans who come into the store, most of whom are foreigners.
The Victorinox watches have reportedly sold out.
Expecting a new surge of clients in the days leading to the Pacquiao-Clottey match in Texas, Aniero said Team Pacquiao stores will carry special Pacquiao vs. Clottey t-shirts.
He's sure that, just like with other merchandise, these shirts will click with the Filipino boxing champion's fans. Report by Anne Santos, ABS-CBN News.
It's a good thing that Manny
It's a good thing that Manny Pacquiao already invested his money in Businesses... So when he retires from boxing he will still have a lot of income generating businesses.
Fight for fame
For me I can simply say, pacquiao need make this one hell of a fight into a serious one because clottey for sure won't give him an easy fight. This fight would lead to clottey's fame so he might give all his best and that make this fight hard for pacquiao. http://manny-pacquiao-vs-joshua-clottey.blogspot.com/
Go Manny!
Mabuhay ang Pinoy! ;)
Oh diba???
Oh diba?? masarap magbasa pag ganito ang mga article nakasulat. hayy pagpatuloy mo yan pareng Many hehehe pasayarin mo ang mundo ng mga Pinoy. =)
mabuhay ka Manny!
Big time!
Manny Pacquiao is a big time endorser, athlete, businessman and many more. He is blessed because he always prays to God.
Get it on Jinkee
Tama lang 'yan Jinkee. Sa halip na patulan mo ang mga tsismis ng mga baklang tsismosa na walang magawa kundi manira ng buhay ng iba, tutukan mo na lang lahat ng mga negosyo nyo. At 'yang mga makakating dila na yan na ang tunay na motibo ay inggit, HAYAAN MO SILANG MAMATAY SA INGGIT!!!
Just right in time kasi
Just right in time kasi paubos na tuna sa general santos city at ang totoo hindi na tuna capital ang general santos city. Ang de latang tuna , ang laman ay imported tuna galing taiwan, japan, indonesia at Papua. Kaya Pakman banat pa para mapanatili ang kasikatan ng Gensan.
Gen Santos City
I think this City will become a very famous city in the world after Pacquiao will KO Clottey.