Living up to her role as a mother, Dionisia Pacquiao defended her son world boxing champ Manny and daughter-in-law Jinkee from the controversy surrounding the couple’s married life after the boxer’s rumored affair with upcoming actress Krista Ranillo.

“Kaya binabalita sila Manny at Jinkee dahil sikat na sila,’’ Mommy Dionisia said in an interview over Showbiz News Ngayon (SNN) aired over ABS-CBN Channel 2 last Friday night.

Mommy Dionisia made the remarks following news reports that her son’s marriage with Jinkee is in trouble after Manny was linked to Krista, daughter of actor Mat Ranillo III.

Photos and videos of Manny and Krista together have also spread in magazines and the Internet, raising speculations about the rumored affair.

Neither Manny nor his wife Jinkee has commented on the issue. TV reports also said that Krista’s group is waiting for Manny to comment on the controversy first before they issue a statement.

Asked if she knew Krista, Dionisia said: “Hindi ko s’ya kilala. (I don’t know her).’’

Krista and Manny are stars of the fantasy movie “Wapacman,’’ an entry to the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival, which will be shown on Christmas Day.

Earlier, Mommy Dionisia, who just starred in the hit comedy movie “Ang Tanging Pamilya’’ opposite former President Joseph Estrada, said her son loves Jinkee.

At a thanksgiving mass held at the Quiapo Church in Manila, following Manny’s arrival from Los Angeles, USA last Friday afternoon, the boxing champ thanked his wife for her support. The crowd inside the church cheered.

Kris Aquino, one of the hosts of SNN, said that she and Jinkee texted last Friday night regarding the controversy.

“Jinkee texted me and she said na sana hindi na lang daw nagpa-interview ang mga kaanak n’ya.’’ She was referring to an interview aired over TV Patrol last Thursday night in which Jinkee’s parents reacted to the issue.

Aquino told another host Boy Abunda: “Boy, mararamdaman mo din ‘yung desire ni Jinkee to protect Pacman. So kung ang desisyon ni Jinkee ay bigyan ng isang pagkakataon si Manny na maayos ang pamilya nila, dapat natin s’yang suportahan because sinusubukan ni Jinkee na mabuo ang pamilya nila.’’

Abunda said that he talked to one of the close friends of the Ranillo family and defended Krista. He confirmed reports that the Ranillo family is in the US because one of Krista’s siblings will undergo operation, adding that they got the tickets for the US trip through “fly-now, pay-later” promo.

Last Saturday, in one of the Teleradyo programs of ABS-CBN, it was reported that Krista suffered panic attack following reports that critics tagged her as the other woman. “Her manager said that she cried a lot these days because of the ‘other-woman’ label,’’ one of the radio announcers said.

According to abs-cbnNEWS.com, Krista, 24, earned a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Communication Arts and Psychology in 2007.

In her school yearbook, Aegis '07, a write-up describes her: “Everyone beware of Krista Ranillo! With her angelic face, sweet smile, gorgeous body, and brains to die for, she seems heaven-sent.”

“This religious, charming, talented artista/model/everything-else princess seems too good to be true,” the write-up added.

But the writer noted that Krista also has a naughty side.

“But behind that innocent facade lies a mischievous little devil who can make you believe that you can only buy blue books in the States and that you missed a very important quiz when you were absent,” it stated.

Of her “wild side,” the write-up said: “When you're with Krista, you're sure to be laughing your head off with all her hilarious tricks and quick quips. It doesn't matter what you do together, for she's always ready to go along with anything spontaneously crazy.”

She is described as a responsible student who “finishes her papers early so she can spend the weekend with her friends” and was often described by peers as being aloof.

“Often one of the first to rally loudly for a free cut in class, Krista is actually quite a nerd!” the text stated. “Though some may think she's 'mataray' because she hardly hangs out in school, she's actually sleeping at home!”

“Truly, Krista Artista is a walking contradiction. Angelic but wicked, funny but serious, silly but nerdy, social but anti-social, sweet but naughty, caring but mischevious,” the write-up said.

Krista’s batchmate ends the write-up with: “Can I have your autograph?!”