GRAPEVINE, Texas (MindaNews/11 Nov) – This is now the third time since 2007 that Fil-Am Jonas Padullon had set out to personally meet world boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao.
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He skipped from his Carrollton high school class Tuesday hoping to meet his idol during a public boxing workout here at the Gaylord Texan hotel. He came close to about five meters, but failed again to even shake the Filipino congressman’s hands due to the pressing crowd.
Padullon, who lives with his mom in the northern Texas area since 1998, first tried his luck in San Antonio when Pacquiao outclassed Jorge Solis and stopped him on the 8th round at the Alamodome in 2007.
He again tried in March this year when Pacquiao overwhelmingly out-pointed Joshua Clottey to add on the WBO welterweight title to his belt at the Dallas Cowboys stadium.
For the one week that the Filipino boxer stayed at the Gaylord Texan hotel, the young Padullon was on a stakeout mode. Still, his dream to personally meet his idol eluded him.
When asked by MindaNews why this obsession with Packman, Padullon excitedly said, “It’s because I want to become a boxer, and I want to become a great one like Manny Pacquiao.”
He said Pacquiao was the reason why he took up karate and wrestling so he can prepare himself physically to the rigors of boxing. He also said he’s a very fast learner.
“If given a chance, I’d really want to train and learn from him,” Padullon said, assuring that he will make the Philippines proud when he gets his break with his idol.
Padullon lives with his surgical technician mom in Carrollton, Texas. All of his relatives, however, are in Olongapo in the Philippines. His mother br
ought him to the US when he was still six years old.
“Now, at 18, I know what I want to become. I want to be a great boxer like Manny Pacquiao,” Padullon beams passionately.
But first, he had to personally meet the man himself, boxer and congressman Pacquiao.
What if he fails again in his quest? “I will look for him in his next fight,” Padullon says with determination. (Merpu Roa / MindaNews)
