Eight-time world boxing champion and Sarangani (Philippines) congressman Manny Pacquiao took time off from his busy schedule to spend time at the luxurious resort Misibis Bay in remote Cagraray Island just off the coast of Albay in the Bicol region.
Pacquiao joins the growing list of athletes and superstars who have stayed at the exclusive Misibis Bay. Just a couple of days before Pacquiao’s arrival, members from the Philippine National Football Team, the Philippine Azkals, spent three action-packed days at the resort.
Together with his wife Jinky and members of his entourage, "Pacman" spent most of his three-day visit exploring the island and participating in various water sports, including jet skiing and scuba diving. He and his entourage had breakfast Hotel Venezia, Misibis Bay’s sister hotel in Legazpi City before heading to the resort.
Well-rested after almost 16 hours of sleep, Pacquiao took a short tour around the resort’s main buildings on a Segway before gamely answering questions from the media during an intimate gathering.
Relaxed and candid, he admitted he was amazed by Misibis Bay and its surroundings, saying. "It was fun, earlier we jet skied and went scuba diving. It’s a different world down there. There are corals and other plants that you don’t see on land.”
Ever the athlete, Pacquiao also participated in other sports activities, such as billiards and ping-pong. He went around the island on an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and went off-roading and even went down a hill via a zip line.
Later on in the evening, the Pacquiao group loosened up and got comfortable as they sang their favorite tunes on the karaoke, accompanied by a live pianist. Jinky’s powerful voice brought the house down, as well as her husband’s heartfelt performance of “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You,” dedicated, of course, to his lovely wife.
Pacquiao was non-committal when asked about his retirement plans, refusing to say whom would best take his place should he decide to retire. But he was effusive when talking about his plans of buying property on the 5,000-hectare compound. He said he wanted to build a vacation house where he and his family can stay. “My kids can spend their vacations here. This place is very beautiful.”
He invited everyone to visit the resort, saying, “Now that I’ve been here and experienced Misibis Bay, I can say that this place is absolutely beautiful. “You must visit Misibis Bay.”