Pound-for-pound boxing champ Manny Pacquiao may have acquired prime properties here and abroad but a resort is not one of them---at least not yet.

Rumors, however, say otherwise. When Manny was sighted relaxing at Boracay West Cove recently, it fueled talk that he owns the resort.

Crisostomo Aquino, the resort owner, proudly confirmed that Manny, a close friend, is a regular visitor.

“Eto ‘yung paboritong place ni Manny dito. Signature na namin na ‘pag nandito si ano [Manny], napagkakamalang kanya ‘yung resort,” he said on “Showbiz News Ngayon,” April 5.

Aquino explained that the rumor emanated from a joke that a priest told during the resort’s blessing.

“Tumawag sa akin si Manny na gusto niyang magbakasyon dito. So, noong blessing namin, si Manny ang naging sponsor. Noong nagmisa, sinabi nu’ng pari na nag-bless dito na kay Manny [ang resort] so kumalat sa buong isla na kay Pacquiao ito,” he shared.

Such talks do not bother Aquino one bit.

“Okay lang. Gusto ko nga na matawag itong Pacquiao resort dahil sikat na ‘yung pangalan. Hindi mo na pasisikatin, sikat na.”

Aquino looks forward to having Mommy Dionisia [Manny’s mother] as guest.

“Mommy D, hinihintay ka namin dito. Dito n’yo makikitang naka-two piece si Mommy D,” he joked.

Among Pacquiao’s properties are multi-million peso mansions in General Santos City; a seven-storey building in Sampaloc, Manila; a mansion in Los Angeles, California; a townhouse unit in Ortigas; a house in an exclusive subdivision in Santa Rosa, Laguna; and another house in BF Homes Paranaque.

Pacquiao has also built Mommy D a P7 million-worth mansion with complete furnishings in General Santos City.