‘PacMom’ in red wows  boxing fans in Cotai Arena

MACAU — The lady in red was glowing as she makes her way into a packed arena.

When the lights went on, it was Dionisia Pacquao, the celebrated mother of Manny Pacquiao who will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title fight against Chris Algieri at the Cotai Arena inside The Venetian Macao here on Sunday morning.

The crowd went wild as she blows few friendly kisses into the air. Her boyfriend, 38-year old Michael Yamson, was smiling as if admiring the tremendous grace, beauty and star power of the mother of one of the Philippines' most influential figures.

"Gustong-gusto ko ang pula kaya lahat ng mga kasama ko pinag-red ko," she told a handful journalists who sought her for few words. "Hindi pa tapos ang laban nyan pero naka-victory dress na ako."

A regular fixture in most of Pacquiao's title fights, the 65-year old Dionisia is said to be the lucky charm of the eight-division supremo; a mom who never gets tired of praying for the safety of her son during his colorful career, punctuated by masterful conquests as well as scary losses.

Although she was not at ringside when Pacquiao absorbed a devastating knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in December of 2012, she cried and begged her son to quit boxing for good.

A year later, she was at it again to inspire Pacquiao as he hammered out a pair of victories over Brandon Rios and Timothy Bradley both by unanimous decision.

This time, she said her son is favored to win – but there is no guarantee.

"Wala akong kaba pero ewan ko lang sa actual fight na. Pero huwag nating gamitin ang kaba para hindi maapektuhan si Manny. Dapat strong tayo sabi ng mahal na Birhen,” she said. "Mahirap maniguro. Tingnan na lang natin siguro.”

Yamson smiled in agreement.

“First time niyang mapanood si Manny na lumaban. Okay kay Manny, nagkita naman sila. Wala naman sila magagawa kasi gustong-gusto ko talaga siya [Dionisia].”

True enough, the lady in red is not just lucky.

She is also deeply in-love. — JST/LBG, GMA News