‘Punch like Samson, hit like David, in Jesus’ name’

By: 10 years ago

FIRST FAMILY OF WORLD BOXING Pacquiao’s wife, Jinkee, and their brood (from top): Michael, Israel, Jimwell, Princess and Queenie. MACY PINEDA/CONTRIBUTOR

Cheers, prayers and unsolicited advice—the kind Filipinos often give family and strangers alike—have swamped the social media accounts of boxer Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinkee ahead of the much-awaited “Fight of the Century.”

Pacquiao has more than 10 million followers on social media: Facebook (7 million), Twitter (2 million) and Instagram (1.5 million). There are also Team Pacquiao and Pacquiao the Movie on Facebook which also support him.

His wife, who is also the vice governor of Sarangani province, which Pacquiao represents in Congress, has almost 200,000 followers on Instagram. Her daily photo posts of the family going about its daily routine—dining, shopping and just chilling at home—offer glimpses of the boxing champ as husband and father.

The latest posts reflect the Filipinos’ strong religious faith on which rest their hopes of a Pacquiao win.

“Be calm … trust the Lord,” one post advised the champ.

“May the Lord fill ur punches like the strength of Samson and give u precision to hit your opponents weak point like the precision given to David to hit Goliath in the forehead in Jesus name,” another fervently wished for.

“God bless you Manny, the virtuous man will always win no matter what,” said agun11.

Bible verses

Bible verses were among the regular posts from netizens, probably a takeoff from the religious verses that Pacquiao himself quotes generously in conversations as well as on social media.

Netizen gregg_roby advised Pacquiao to reflect on 1 Corinthians 16:13: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”

Netizen judypicks2015 offered another Biblical verse: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 KJV Bible.”

Posted nelssy78: “@jinkeepacquiao let’s pray hard and strong for ur lovely husband and our best fighter @mannypacquiao I’m fasting all this week for his victory. We all know mayweather fights dirty. He chose to fight in Vegas because he knows if it goes for a decision he wins… Let’s not forget that he controls Vegas.”

Netizen prtty_brittany said: “You got this !!! I’m going to Keep you in My Prayers !! your awesome! @mannypacquiao”

As if to sum up the nation’s sentiment, netizen joydemapanes posted: “Go! go! go! God bless u on ur big day and pipol of the philippines manny! bring the phil flag home with proud and glory! Mabuhay ang Pilipino!”

Jinkee’s fashion sense

Others were more secular.

“Plz beat Mayweather, just give him a knockout!” one netizen pleaded, while another focused on Jinkee Pacquiao’s fashion sense: “Don’t forget to bring your crocodile Berkin. Wag magpatalo sa kabit ni Mayweather (Don’t let Mayweather’s mistress outshine you).”

That fashion sense has been publicly chronicled on Jinkee’s Instagram account, which is also replete with photographs of the Pacquiao’s growing brood—Jimuel, Michael, Queenie, Princess and the youngest, 1-year-old Israel. A photo of the children with Mommy Dionesia, aka PacMom, is also posted.

“I am happy coz my kids know now the childhood of Manny indeed from nothing into something. God is soooo good!” she posted after watching a private screening of Pacquiao’s biofilm in Los Angeles.

While her followers usually offer Jinkee their unabashed comments and opinions, it was this morning’s Battle for Greatness between Pacquiao and Mayweather that have kept netizens busy these past days.

‘Be smart’

“Manny reminder lang ha don’t rush be smart. Remember what happened to you during the Marquez fight. Kaya mo si Mayweather. (You can beat Mayweather). God bless and good luck,” netizen wankerka commented on Instagram.

‘Love that your so humble. Knock some sense into Mayweather. He needs it,” another netizen posted.

“I just pray you ain’t a sellout like the rest of these boxers. Cause it would be a shame #Hope#God#ThatsAllYouNeed” netizen 1xwoody said on Instagram.

#GoPacGo you can do it!!! Hand the #MoneyMan his first taste of defeat!!!” netizen @Detrocker2264 tweeted.

“Thanks Manny for your inspiration to start my own art page. When you win I will paint another! I call this one, ‘Hands, Heart & Mind,’” netizen Space Ginger said of the man who inspired him to follow his dream

Not to be outdone, netizen GeoffArsenal made an ardent appeal: “Can you leave the tickets in the name of Geoff Arsenal please Manny. Thanks again.” With reports from Ramon Royandoyan and Paul Vincent Balois

To get updates on the Fight of the Century from the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Inquirer.net, check out the hashtags #PacMay, #LabanManny and #Inquirer in social media. You can also tweet using those hashtags to show support for Manny Pacquiao.