LOS ANGELES, California ? Unknown to most people, it was the Catholic Women?s League (CWL) Iloilo chapter headed by Mrs. Lilia Recto that hosted World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao, his wife Jinkee and several other members of the Good Samaritans from Gen. Santos City during their half-day visit in Iloilo City to distribute goods for typhoon victims worth P1.5 million last Thursday morning (July 7).
Rey Golinggan, Pacquiao?s wedding godfather and main facilitator of the trip, had arranged Pacquiao?s itinerary with WBC ring physician Dr. Allan L. Recto, son of Mrs. Recto, a week before the visit.
It was Dr. Recto who suggested to Golinggan to tell Pacquiao to coordinate with Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo if Pacquiao intended to give donations to typhoon victims. Dr. Recto told Golinggan Lagdameo would be pleased if the Archdiocese of Jaro was tapped for the distribution of goods.
Dr. Recto also asked Golinggan that Mrs. Recto was willing to host a lunch for the team in the Recto residence in Soriano Subdivision in Molo district.
When informed about Pacquiao?s scheduled trip to Iloilo, Mrs. Recto, a devout Catholic, tapped members of the CWL, among other important personalities in the city, and opened the gates of their residence to the team, including Mayor Jerry Trenas and several journalists.
?Pacquiao and his group enjoyed their lunch inside the Recto residence for nearly three hours and Mrs. Lilia Recto and her Catholic Women?s League attended to their needs and showed true hospitality,? reported Allan Vidal, who escorted Golinggan from Iloilo airport to the Archdiocese of Jaro.
Among those present aside from Trenas were former city councilor Rolando Dabao, board member Richard Garin, city councilors Jeffrey Ganzon and Armand Parcon, a former reporter of Bombo Radyo who interviewed Pacquiao ?live? in ?Bombohanay Sa Ugto? program hosted by Ted Francia.
From Iloilo, the group proceeded to Bacolod City and handed out goods to typhoon victims together with Mayor Bing Leonardia, the boxer?s belt carrier in the ring.
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