Like mother, like son

SHE has the fighting heart of a true champion. No wonder, she has survived even the most difficult challenges in her life.
Manny Pacquiao’s exploits atop the ring were reminiscent of her struggle if not a virtual repeat of her own experiences, not inside the ring but in real life drama.
Pacquiao had his own share of setbacks in his illustrious boxing career.
But just like his mother, he has shown the ability to bounce back after a stumble.
The 60-year old Dionesia Dapigran Pacquiao, Manny’s mother, is herself a survivor of many uphill battles.
She was thrice abandoned by men she loved so much: first, her father, then her first and second husbands.
Her life as daughter, wife and mother was replete with struggles and sacrifices.
Despite all these, she has no regret in life. Her patience, tenacity and faith were rewarded in the end.

Abandoned

They were still young when their father walked out of their home.
Dionisia’s mother, Cristina Mejia Dapigran, now in her early 80’s, single-handedly carried the responsibilities of rearing and supporting the needs of all her nine children.
The third in a brood of nine, Dionesia admitted, it was her mother who instilled in her the value of hardwork, fortitude, patience and strong faith in God.
She was pregnant with her second child, Domingo, when her first husband, Alfonso Silvestre, left her for another woman.
She has two children — Liza (41) and Domingo (39) — by her first husband.

More children

For four years, she waited in vain for her first husband to come home. Until she finally decided to marry again.
She wanted not just someone to share life with but more children.
“Kung hindi ako nag-asawa uli wala sanang Manny Pacquiao ngayon,” she said in jest.
She met Rosalio Pacquaio in 1975. They were gifted with four children — Isidra, Manny, Bobby and Rogelio.
Rosalio worked as laborer at the city public market while she stayed home taking care of their children.
Their income, she recalled, could hardly make ends meet.
Rosalio, just like her first husband, left them.
She devoted all her time and energy to her family. She worked in a factory and returned to baking native delicacies to support her children.
Pacquiao’s two younger siblings, Bobby, also a professional boxer, and Rogelio, the youngest and now the current chair of Apopong village here, were selling cellophane bags at the city public market to augment the family income.

Prayer power

Dionesia said Manny was quite lucky he grew up in a closely-knitted and religious family.
She admitted she drew strength and courage by constant praying.
This is also the reason why all her children, especially Manny, grew up as devout Catholics.

Sharing the blessings

Her life changed a lot after her son became a world boxing champion. She has a two-bedroom house, a Toyota car, personal driver cum bodyguard, all courtesy of the Pacman.
Aside from giving her house and lot, car and monthly support, Manny sees to it all the needed medicines for her ulcer and heart disease are being taken care of.
Nowadays, instead of roaming in the neighborhood selling native delicacies, Dionesia stays home and spends most of her time enjoying the videoke or watching films, as well as Manny’s classic fights on video compact discs.
Lately, she also enrolled in dance lesson. Dancing, she claimed, is her favorite past time.
• Happiest mom

She didn’t want Manny to  box. This was the reason why her son kept his training secret when he was starting as an amateur.
She said no parent would want to see their son engaging in a brutal fight inside the ring. But she understands how powerless parental desires can be.
Her dream was to see Manny becoming a priest.