Philippines - WBC lightweight champion "gatecrashes" wedding

by jayr_patron | July 17, 2008 at 11:57 pm

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Manny Pacquiao, who defeated David Diaz on June 28 to wrest the WBC lightweight title, crashes at a wedding ceremony at the Jaro Cathedral at Jaro District, Iloilo, Philippines.

Pacquiao and wife Jinkee, with the rest of their party, visited the province as he had promised before his fight with Diaz at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas to help the victims of typhoon "Frank".

Like other starry-eyed couples, Mark Pedriña, 22, and Jhona Estrope, 21, wanted a memorable wedding day. They decided to tie the knot in a simple ceremony Thursday at the Jaro Cathedral, and invited only their relatives and a few choice guests.

But the couple got more than they had planned for as hundreds of fans flock with Pacquiao et al to catch a glimpse of their idol.

Pacquiao turned over P1.5 million for the victims in Iloilo, part of which was spent on the food packs. Another P1 million has been allocated to victims in Bacolod City, and the remaining amount to others in other areas.

Ilonggo folk came in droves to receive Pacquiao’s donations. They climbed the walls and fences of the Jaro Cathedral compound, cheering and clapping.

But many said they would have come to see the man even without the food packs.