Angelle De Leon
Pinoy boxing icon and Senator Manny Pacquiao was flooded with birthday messages on various social media platforms.
The boxing superstar celebrated his 41st birthday with his relatives and friends on December 17.
This year, Pacquiao chose to spend his special day at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
His previous birthday celebrations took place in his hometown of General Santos City.
Pacquiao later shared numerous photos from his birthday party on Instagram.
The photos showed him enjoying the event with his wife Jinkee, their kids and his mother “Mommy” Dionisia.
“Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes. So glad I got to spend my 41st birthday with my family and friends. May God bless you all!” Pacquiao wrote as a caption to his photos.
Jinkee posted on her Instagram account her birthday wish for her husband: “Happy Birthday, my love, my babe!”
She uploaded a picture of heselfr and Pacquiao at the birthday party.
Famous athletes and celebrities around the globe have also extended their greetings and wishes for the Pinoy boxer-turned-politician.
Here’s what they said:
“Happy birthday Manny,” said Greek-Australian boxer George Kambosos Jr., who is currently the IBF Pan Pacific lightweight champion and rated the World number 3 lightweight.
Russian professional boxer and politician Ruslan Mikhailovich Provodnikov also wished Pacquiao a “happy birthday!”
Former American boxer and now boxing commentator Antonio Tarver said: “Happy birthday Champ.”
Korean-American rapper and singer Jay Park or more commonly known by his stage name, Flowsik, wrote the same birthday greeting on Pacquiao’s Instagram post.
“Happy birthday Champ,” echoed former American boxer and Pacquiao’s long-time boxing trainer Freddie Roach.
Filipino professional boxer Mercito Gesta wrote: “Happy birthday Champion.”
Quezon City vice mayor Gian Sotto said: “A blessed happy birthday Boss Champ, Senator Manny Pacquiao!”
In a lengthy comment, Pinoy rapper and actor Andrew E wrote: “Happy… happy birthday idol! May you always have the strength and wisdom to lead the Filipino nation and its people! May you continue your strive and vision for our society and may you always have that humbleness in your heart. God blessings to you and your family. Happy birthday Senator Manny Pacquiao!”
A similar post on Pacquiao’s Facebook page has already garnered more than 214,000 reactions, 2,500 shares, and 20,000 comments, mostly wishing him a happy birthday.
Pacquiao seems to have a fruitful year as he successfully defended his WBA title twice against boxers Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman.
Despite his age, it looks like he will continue fighting next year, hoping to get that rematch with American boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr.
