300 fans camp out at Pacquiao's gate waiting for 'balato'

**Monseratto** · February 2nd, 2006 08:34 AM

By Aquiles Z. Zonio
Inquirer

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Scores of people are patiently waiting outside the house of Manny Pacquiao here for a "balato" (token share of winnings) after his victory over Mexican boxer Erik Morales earned him a huge prize money.
For three days, about 300 people, some of them coming from as far as the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Zamboanga del Sur, have stayed outside Pacquiao's house in Barangay Labangal.

They said they would only go home if Pacquiao showed up.

To ensure they would not miss any tip once Pacquiao shows up, the fans are conducting nightly vigils.

As of Wednesday, the country's boxing sensation has not granted the requests of his fans.

It could not be confirmed where Pacquiao has been staying since his return from the United States.

Pacquiao's mother, Dionisia, spoke over a local radio station and asked for understanding.

She said it was true that his son made some money from the fight and from the live telecast on a pay-per-view channel. But Manny, she said, "has yet to receive anything."

"He even borrowed money from his manager. You should understand that it is not easy to bring home such amount," Dionisia said.

Estimates of Pacquiao's actual net income from his bout with Morales vary.

Some say he became two million dollars richer from the prize money alone, but others claim it would actually be a little over 300,000 dollars after taxes and other deductions.

Dionisia said her son was always ready to share his blessings.

Former boxing champion Rolando Navarrete got 1,000 pesos when he patiently trailed the float carrying Pacquiao during a rousing welcome ceremony for the latter last week.

**EL Chicane** · February 2nd, 2006 08:46 AM

Kung ako si Pacman, gagayahin ko yung ibang mga sport celebrities - I WILL LIVE IN SWITZERLAND !!!!!!

Baka maging kapit-bahay ko pa si Michael Schumacher or Roger Federer.

**NightRock** · February 2nd, 2006 08:54 AM

Normal na yata sa kanya yang ganyan na namimigay ng Balato.. kahit naman siguro ako nasa lugar nya sa dami din naman ng mahirap sa area nya dapat lang mag bahagi. Magkano lang naman yon compare sa premyo nya.. But hindi ako mag bibigay ng cash I rather give them food.. or mag pa medical mission sya..

Pero baka pera nalang binbigay nya hirap din mag asikaso at mag packed kung food items bibigay mo..

**IPSG_SlimShady** · February 2nd, 2006 09:32 AM

Ang problema lang sa mga nanghihingi ng balato, hindi yan mauubos. Araw-araw may naka-tanghod na dun sa labas ng bahay niya. Kung bibigyan mo ng P1,000 bawat isa, eh di P300,000 na yung 300 na katao. Isang bagsak pa lang yun. Hindi mo rin ma-control kung sino yung mga umuulit.

Perhaps its better for him to donate to institutions rather than hand-out doughs.

**Karding** · February 2nd, 2006 09:33 AM

bilib talaga ako kay PACMAN hindi lang sa larangan ng boksing kundi na din sa kabaitan nya.

**silhouette** · February 2nd, 2006 09:36 AM

yup, mabait nga yang taong yan. kaso inaabuso naman...tsk tsk.

**roninblade** · February 2nd, 2006 09:37 AM

better to give the money to institutions/charities/missions than to people like those waiting outside manny's house.

**empy** · February 2nd, 2006 09:38 AM

hahaha :bwahaha:

i'm not sure whether this story is funny, sad or annoying

**Altis6453** · February 2nd, 2006 09:56 AM

Personally, I think its wrong for people to expect dole-outs. It sends the wrong message especially to children that its ok for you to accept money without earning it.

Sad realty about Filipino mentality is, pag hindi mo pinagbigyan, ikaw pa masama.