Manny Pacquiao's Vallejo Appearance

UPDATE: 3:32 p.m. Just received an e mail saying this about the Manny Pacquiao event in Vallejo, which disappointed some of the attendees, who paid $150 – $200.

You need to understand that Vallejo has a large Filipino population, Vallejo is not a town that usually has an event where tickets cost $150-$200

People feel taken advantage of, the advertisements and marketing materials were misleading and people (expected) that the $150-$200 price was for a photo op with the champ, a book signing and a photo. This is what people spent their hard earned money for.

We were also pointed to this report from Balitang America, a Filipino news program produced in Redwood Shores, which features patrons angry that they did not get a chance to meet Pacquiao.

And here’s a poster advertising the event, promising an “exclusive meet and greet with the champ,” which at least some people did not experience, and an “exclusive autobiography book signing,” which also did not occur. Click on the photo for a larger look.

EARLIER POST:

Not everyone believes that Manny Pacquiao is the greatest boxer of all time, but no one can deny that his fame and popularity rival, short of Rocky Balboa, the most beloved fighters of all time, including Muhammad Ali.

Pacquiao, the only boxer to win a title in eight different weight classes, not to mention the only boxer to win a title in eight different weight classes who is also a Philippines’ congressman, sings as well.

The Bay Area got a taste of Manny Mania Wednesday night, when the Jack of all trades, master of at least one, made a fundraising appearance for the Manny Pacquiao Foundation, at Vallejo’s Hiddenbrooke Golf Club, crooning a few songs and signing some autographs. Vallejo has a large Filipino community.

The Vallejo Times-Herald reported that some fans, who paid $150-$200 each, demanded refunds, because they expected a photo op with the champ and a book signing. But the Manila Bulletin, as might be expected, called the event a success.

Whether the evening met expectations or not, I defy anyone to assert they didn’t get some portion of their money’s worth simply by hearing Manny — 52-3 lifetime with 38 knockouts — get up and warble “sometimes when we touch, the honesty’s too much.”

And Tuesday night at Harrah’s in Lake Tahoe:

For more Manny-in-Vallejo videos, check out YouTube.

Related:

• Blueprint of a boxing icon (Phillippine Star)