ILOILO CITY—There’s nothing like the “Idol” to make one forget one’s woes.

The brief visit Thursday of Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao allowed thousands of flood-ravaged folk time out from the effects of the knockout punch dealt by Typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen).

He even interrupted a wedding to the delight of all.

Men and women, even the elderly and children, lined the streets of Jaro District, shouting “Manny!” and “Idol!” as they struggled to get a glimpse of Pacquiao, who had come to fulfill a promise.

Pacquiao, his wife Jinkee and their party arrived at the Iloilo airport in Cabatuan town at around 7:30 a.m. They were driven to the residence of Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, where they had breakfast with the prelate and city officials led by Mayor Jerry Treñas.

They then proceeded to the Jaro Cathedral, where they attended Mass preparatory to distributing around 500 food packs to typhoon victims with the assistance of Treñas and members of the Catholic Women’s League.

In his small way

Pacquiao said he had entrusted his donation to the Church, which identified the families eligible to receive relief goods. He said he would also visit other areas affected by the typhoon.

“I thank the people here for their continued support for me. In my own small way, I would like to extend my help to them. Please don’t forget to pray so that you can surpass this crisis,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).

The champ, then fresh from demolishing David Diaz in Las Vegas to win the World Boxing Council lightweight title, had earlier promised to donate P3 million from his purse to the flood victims in Western Visayas.

He turned over P1.5 million for the victims in Iloilo, part of which was spent on the food packs, according to Treñas. Another P1 million has been allocated to victims in Bacolod City, and the remaining amount to others in other areas.

Ilonggo folk came in droves to receive Pacquiao’s donations. They climbed the walls and fences of the Jaro Cathedral compound, cheering and clapping.

But many said they would have come to see the man even without the food packs.

Just to see him

“I just came here to see my idol, and I’m so happy I got near him,” said Guzman Alvarez, 46, from Barangay Jereos in La Paz District.

Elizabeth Sombise, 44, whose house in Barangay Balabago in Jaro was damaged by the flood, said she spent P16 for jeepney fare just to see her hero.

“It’s all right even if we don’t get a food pack. Seeing Manny is enough for us. I want to kiss him,” she said, giggling.

Nelia Saul, 47, of Barangay Desamparados in Jaro, said she lost her house to the typhoon. “But I’m happy that he remembered us and that he is kind to the poor,” she said.

Mayor Treñas said Pacquiao’s visit was a big help to his constituents.

“We thank him for remembering Iloilo at a time when we need help most. He has also boosted the morale of the Ilonggo, who are struggling to stand on their feet again,” he said.

Photo-signing

Over breakfast with the Pacquiaos, Archbishop Lagdameo produced a picture of the couple with the prelate’s family taken in Manila in 2005, and requested the champ to sign it.

Lagdameo also presented a small crucifix (for Pacquiao) and three rosaries (one each for Pacquiao, his wife, and his mother).

He said he was pleased that Dionisia Pacquiao prayed the rosary every time her son had a fight.

“I know that you will always be accompanied by the prayers of your mother,” he told his guest.

Even with his busy schedule as archbishop of Jaro and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Lagdameo, by his own account, always watches Pacquiao’s fights on television.

“I consider him our ambassador in boxing,” he said.

Adopted son

Asked if he also cheered for Pacquiao during the boxer’s fights, the archbishop said: “Of course. Which Filipino would not cheer for him?”

After Jaro, Pacquiao briefly visited residents of Oton town before going to Bacolod City in the afternoon.

Cheering Negrenses welcomed him as his motorcade wended its way through the city streets.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he was grateful to Pacquiao for responding to his request to help the typhoon victims in Bacolod.

The mayor Thursday issued Executive Order No. 26 declaring the day “Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao Day” in Bacolod.

Pacquiao, an adopted son of the city, was to be conferred the “Bugal sang (Pride of) Bacolod” Award by Leonardia in a program in front of City Hall.

On Wednesday, the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a unanimous resolution thanking the champ for donating P1 million for the typhoon victims.