In her speech keynoting ceremonies leading to Pacquiao’s entry into the prestigious Elorde Hall of Fame at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel, the President said Elorde’s boxing gym has provided the training ground for Pacquiao and other boxing athletes to hone their skills and be given a chance to rise from poverty.

"Ang kanyang gym, yung Flash Elorde Gym, ay nagbigay ng simula sa napakaraming boksingerong Filipino, kabilang dito si Manny Pacquiao," the President said.

"In other words, before there was Manny Pacquiao, there was Flash Elorde," she added.

The President pointed out that because of the friendship and camaraderie borne out of training under Elorde, the late boxing legend and Pacquiao developed similarities worth emulating by the youth.

"Both (Elorde and Pacquiao) have a lot in common: Knockout punches, unwielding spirit, both hail from humble beginnings, both remain humble even when fame and fortune had blessed them, both put the Philippines on the sports map, both are worthy role models of our youth," the President said.

She said both men also had the same fervent wish to help their fellow boxers become better athletes and bring glory and prestige to the country by participating and winning in world boxing competitions.

The President pledged to do her best to see to it that this dream becomes a reality.

"Our government is helping develop their talents by providing the poorest families with better opportunities to put food on the table, to attend school and to hone whatever skill they possess, whether it’s boxing, accounting, English speaking," the President said.

"Ito ang pangarap ni Flash Elorde para sa ating mga kababayan at parating sinasabi ni Manny Pacquiao sa akin, ito rin ang pangarap niya para sa kapwa Filipino," she said.

Elorde was the longest-reigning world junior lightweight champion and the toast of the boxing world from 1960 to 1967.

The extraordinary feat, which made Elorde one of the world’s greatest boxers of all time, earned for him a niche in the International Boxing Hall of Fame – the first Filipino to be so honored after pre-war legend Pancho Villa.

Pacquiao holds the distinction of being the very first Asian to hold titles in three different weight categories--the world superfeatherweight, flyweight, and junior featherweight.

He wrested the WBC crown by split decision from Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez on March 16 in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao becomes the first Elorde Hall of Famer after successfully fulfilling the body’s stringent requirement of being awarded the Boxer of the Year Award for seven years.

The 8th Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Awards Night honored Pacquiao with a Hall of Fame award for his triumphs in the international boxing arena and for inspiring millions of Filipinos in his rise to glory.

"Flash" Elorde was the first Asian to be inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993, and he was subsequently inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

Other awardees in the Elorde boxing awards are: Antonio Aldeguer, Best Promoter; Michael Aldeguer, Best Manager; Edito Villamor, Best Trainer; Ferdinand Estrella, Best Referee; Silvestre Abainza, Best Judge; and AJ Banal, Most Promising Boxer.

Luisito Espinosa, former WBA and WBC Featherweight Champion, was named into the Elorde Honor Roll.

Also named Boxers of the Year were: Gerry Peñalosa, WBO Bantamweight Champion; Florante Condes, IBF Minimumweight Champion; Donnie Nietes, WBO Minimumweight Champion; and Nonito Donaire, IBF Superflyweight Champion. (with a report by David Cagahastian)