Pacquiao, trainer to receive award from Baguio elderly group

Manny Pacquiao takes a break from his rigorous training this weekend when he and famed American trainer Freddie Roach will be honored by the Baguio Elderly Assembly (BEA) at the Rose Garden, Burnham Park in Baguio City. Pacquiao, who will also be conferred as BEA’s adopted son, and his Hall of Fame trainer will be given by BEA plaques of recognition for their exemplary leadership and past achievements during Sunday’s “Parangal Rites" in celebration of the 100th year of Baguio City, which was designed and planned by American architect Daniel Burnham.

The Filipino ring icon and Roach had decided to set up training camp in the country’s summer capital hoping to use Baguio’s high altitude to their advantage in time for Pacquiao’s scheduled 12-round slugfest with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14. Team Pacquiao started training camp on Sept. 21 and has already entered the fourth week for his November gig against Cotto. He has already sparred for close to 40 rounds against regular partners Urbano Antillon and Shawn Porter, and new sparmate Jose Luis Castillo. “Being BEA’s adopted son, Pacquiao happily accepted the award to be given Sunday," said BEA president and awards committee chairman Nars Padilla. BEA is the biggest group of elderly associations in Baguio City and Benguet that boasts of a 25,000 membership. Filipino boxing greats Dodie Boy Peñalosa, who is also a Team Pacquiao member, and his brother Gerry and Nonito Donaire Jr. are BEA’s other foster sons. – GMANews.TV