MANILA, Philippines – US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton drew loud applause at a forum with students Friday by giving the right answer to a most pressing question: Is Manny Pacquiao going to win this weekend?

The most popular Filipino will be back in the boxing ring in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to take on Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in a fight that will make the Philippines stand still.

“Of course the Pacman’s going to win. I mean, is there any doubt?” Clinton said to the delight of the 800-plus college students gathered at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila during a nationally televised forum.

She charmed the audience with talk of her family, basketball, boxing, The Beatles and her “crush” other than Bill Clinton.

Clinton said she had “heard that basketball and boxing are pretty big here in the Philippines.”

Asked by popular cager Chris Tiu about her favorite sport, the world’s second most popular American (after US President Barack Obama) disclosed that “for basketball, I have followed two teams” in the National Basketball Association.

“I’m originally from Chicago. That’s where I was born and raised, so I followed the Chicago Bulls, particularly when Michael Jordan was there,” she said.

But when she became the senator from New York, she “followed the Knicks, but that’s kinda discouraging.”

“I followed it, but it’s hard to get as enthusiastic as I would like to. The Knicks are trying maybe to get Lebron James. That would make it very exciting in New York, but I’m not sure what exactly will happen,” Clinton said.

Fabian, Beatles, Jagger

During the ABS-CBN forum, Clinton also gamely responded to a number of very personal questions—like her crushes when she was younger.

“Like all young girls, I had lots and lots of crushes. Both on boys I knew and entertainment stars, like Fabian, a popular teen idol of the ’50s,” she said.

According to the top US diplomat, she was “president of the Fabian Fans Club and there’s three of us in it.”

“And of course, I was a huge Beatles fan. Later in life, I got to meet Paul McCartney which was an exciting opportunity for me,” she said.

Clinton, the 67th US secretary of state, also disclosed that her 90-year-old mother “has always had sort of a crush on (rock star) Mick Jagger. Don’t ask me why. I liked him a lot but my mother really, really liked him and she’s gone to two of his concerts. And one of the best things that I did for my mother was to introduce her to Mick Jagger.”

Asked if she gets to spend time with her family as she and her husband, former US President Bill Clinton, are always traveling, the 62-year-old diplomat said: “My husband travels as much as I do. Sometimes, even more, depending upon the time of year and what his obligations are. When we come back home, in the weekends, we just do what people like to do—take long walks, go to the movies, have dinner, and catch up on our sleep.”

Last weekend, she said, “my husband and I were at [daughter Chelsea’s apartment in New York], visiting with her, catching up on her life.”

Asked about Chelsea’s political plans, she said: “She has carved out her own life and has own group of friends, a social circle she finds very rewarding. I think she respects and appreciates the political world but has no plans of being part of it at this time in her life.”

Advice to Filipino youth

Clinton also charmed her audience with self-deprecating humor.

When asked when the United States would have a female president, Clinton quipped: “I’m probably the last person you should ask, because I certainly tried.”

She praised the Philippines as a role model because it has had two female presidents—democracy icon Corazon Aquino in 1986 and current President Macapagal-Arroyo.

“The Philippines is ahead of us. I really should ask you what is the secret of your success,” she said.

On her advice to the Filipino youth, Clinton said “every person has the opportunity to make the most of their lives... Every life faces challenges, but with faith and perseverance, persistence and a sense of mission in your life, you can keep going and make a contribution.”

In addition to a group of “congressional interns” from Mindanao, eight Metro Manila schools were represented during yesterday’s forum. They were the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of the East, Far Eastern University, Adamson University, National University and host UST.