Top Rank CEO Bob Arum (center) leads the oath of sportsmanship between Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez

MANILA, Philippines -- The recent face-off between our very own boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and his Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez staged last Saturday by GMA Network, Inc. was a big hit, drawing about 75,000 to the Quirino Grandstand. It was the launch of the boxers’ 25,000-mile four-city world media tour that includes Manila, New York, Los Angeles and Mexico before the main event set on Nov. 13 (Philippine time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The fight will be broadcast exclusively by GMA Network and Super Radyo station DZBB.

Top Rank CEO and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum administered the oath of sportsmanship. The “World Press Tour 2011 Pacquiao-Marquez III” special was aired after “Eat Bulaga.”

Gracing the event was an all-star Kapuso cast led by Ogie Alcasid, Kyla, Rachelle Ann Go, Jay-R, Mark Herras, Kris Bernal, Aljur Abrenica, Glaiza de Castro, Rochelle Pangilinan, Rocco Nacino, Sarah Lahbati, and others. The event was hosted by Dingdong Dantes while Jillian Ward and Yogo Singh handed tokens of goodwill to both fighters.

During the interview with the two boxers anchored by Arnold Clavio and sportscaster Chino Trinidad, Pacquiao promised to wield his strongest brawn for the 144-pound world championship title.

Present during the event were GMA Pres./COO Gilberto “Jimmy” R. Duavit, Jr., GMA SVP for Entertainment TV Wilma Galvante, Solar Entertainment Corp. Pres. Wilson Tieng, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Mexican Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Christan Clay Mendoza, and Executive Director of the National Parks Development Committee Juliet Villegas.

Right after the event, Pacquiao’s game show “Manny Many Prizes” held a special episode in the same venue. The pound-for-pound king and program host gave away P1 million as jackpot prize to a lucky Caviteño, Villovic Ramos.

The show airs every Saturday at 6 p.m. on GMA-7.

Saturday’s episode of “Manny, Many Prizes” will air from Sarangani.

Aksyon TV5 launches ‘Buhay OFW’

Aksyon TV5 will launch today at 10 p.m. “Buhay OFW,” to be hosted by Ms. Marissa del Mar. This will be of great interest to the estimated 8 to 11 million Filipinos employed worldwide.

Marissa earlier hosted “Up Close and Personal,” which was awarded Best Public Affairs Program, Best Public Affairs Program Host by PMPC Star Awards and Outstanding Program Host during the MCLE Public Attorneys Award.

The show features agencies and personalities tasked to support OFWs. While labor issues and concerns will be handled by guest lawyers, the show will also highlight success stories about OFWs.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Saturday, Sept. 10, go to awarded musical director Mel Villena, Mel Meer, Ms. Edna Camcam, Ms. Mila Llige, Carmen Avellana, Richard Cadiente, Ronauld Tabora, Beverly Santos, Jimmy Valeros, Manny Aquino, Patricia Hizon, Dr. Joy Burgos, Nathaniel “Nash” Rosario, Gigie Moral Landicho and Carlos Zapanta of PCSO, Allan Jeff M. Parlan of Rhode Island, USA, Ms. Erlinda So of Metrobank Sta. Cruz branch, and PR man Francis Albert “Chuck” Gomez...