Pacquiao has agreed to be the official endorser in the fight against drug abuse of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), according to Police Supt. Edwin Minion, chief of the Central Mindanao office of PDEA
PDEA director general Dionisio Santiago has sought the boxer’s help to discourage the youth from taking illegal drugs. Minion said the boxer would render his service to the agency for free.
Pacquiao would be seen in bill boards, television, radio and the print media, Minion said.
Pacquiao, meantime, would be the central attraction of a TV special, "Alay ni Idol sa Bayan”, which the ABS-CBN and MP Productions would bring to the city following a partnership with the city government.
On December 16 and 17 this year, the city would host major stars of ABS-CBN as they join the “People's Champ” in staging a television musical special at the city's air-conditioned Lagao Gym.
The network’s stars would also take part in a multi-celebration of Pacquiao’s birthday, the blessing of his new mansion just behind the Lagao gym and the baptism of his daughter, Divine Grace, on December 17 at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish.
Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr. said he has granted ABS-CBN the free use of the Lagao Gym on December 16-17 for the TV Special, which will be aired on delayed telecast.
A public viewing of the movie "The Manny Pacquiao Story" would be held on the night of December 16. On the following day, more than 20 ABS-CBN stars would hold a musical variety show.
ABS-CBN has earmarked P6 million for this weekend spectacle. A giant billboard TV will be set up at the gym's parking grounds for people who cannot be accommodated inside.
"This will be the Generals' (or the city’s constituents) merriest Christmas ever and the grandest staging of the Pasko sa Gensan," Acharon said.