Photo from Instragram/@@mannypacquiao
FOR the merry month of December, internationally known boxing champ and former Philippine senator Manny Pacquiao heads the list of prominent celebrities who will be celebrating their birthdays this month. The eight-division world champion boxing legend turns 44 on Saturday, December 17.
Known by his monicker “PacMan,” Pacquiao added to his list of accomplishments when he became the oldest welterweight boxing champion in history in a thrilling split decision victory over previously undefeated WBA titleholder Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in 2019.
According to Wikipedia, Pacquiao is the only boxer to hold four world championships across four decades – 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s. He is also the only boxer to win twelve major titles in eight different weight divisions during his professional boxing career.
Prior to being a senator, Pacquiao had been elected as Congress representative for the province of Sarangani, which is located at the southernmost tip of Mindanao island and is part of what is known as the Soccsksargen (South Cotabato-Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos) region.
Pacquiao was a presidential candidate in the May 2022 Philippine national elections won by Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The former boxing champ will be participating in an exhibition bout on December 11 in Seoul, Korea where he will take on Korean YouTuber DK Yoo.
Other prominent personalities celebrating their birthdays in December are:
December 3: Actress Jessy Mendiola-Manzano;
December 4: Actor/singer/model Ruru Madrid, former Miss Republic of the Philippines-USA winner Sarah Atienza Leong, pop rock singer-songwriter Yeng Constantino;
December 6: Actor Christian Bables, Philippine News Today vice president for operations/promotions Thelma Cruz;
December 7: GMA Network Inc. chairman/CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon, model/actor/TV host Derek Ramsay, Daly City medical assistant Susan Gonzales, San Jose jewel designer/manufacturer Josie Harris;
December 8: Actor/politician Dennis Roldan, singer/songwriter Richard Poon, Filipina caregiver Aida Marinas;
December 9: Marina Seaside community leader Anita Lomboy;
December 10: Actress Krista Ranillo-Lim, Former Miss RP-USA World Eva Reyes;
December 11: Actress Eula Valdez, actress/politician Lucy Torres-Gomez, former Philippine Medical Society of Northern California president Dr. Carmelo Lim Roco;
December 12: Concert Queen Pops Fernandez, TV host/rap artist/actor/model Carlos Agassi, Hillsborough successful businesswoman Upeng Abad Sy, current Makati Mayor Abigail Binay;
December 13: Former senator and billionaire businessman Manny Villar;
December 14: Actor Mark Herras
December 15: Cupertino jetsetter Rema Zafrani Vasa;
Photo from Instagram/@ queengloriaromero
December 16: Multi-awarded actress Gloria Romero, actress/politician Aiko Melendez, Health Professionals Inc. chief accountant Elvie Angeles, the late and original Queen of Philippine Movies Rosa del Rosario;
December 17: Former Miss United Nations International Anna Satorre, actor/comedian/recording artist Michael V (of the top-rated GMA Pinoy TV show “Bubble Gang”);
December 18: “The Gift” teleserye actress Mikee Quintos;
December 20: Retired National Basketball Association player Raymond Townsend (first Filipino American to play in the NBA), South San Francisco community leader the late Connie Belleza Gaspar;
December 21: Actress/TV host/endorser Valerie Concepcion, former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, former Ms. Republic of the Philippines International and fashion model Marilen Bernardo, former Mrs. Republic of the Philippines World Christine Acha, Filipino restaurateur Manny Noguera;
December 23: Multi-awarded actress Lorna Tolentino, hotel executive Marc Garvida;
December 25: Filipino musician Pepe Smith;
December 26: Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados, former Speaker of the House (Philippines) Jose de Venecia Jr., singer Hajji Alejandro;
December 27: Gilroy auto mechanic/shop owner Dar Rabonza;
December 28: Former Mrs. Republic of the Philippines Las Vegas and fashion designer Nina Alberto, former LBC treasurer Fely Ruiz;
December 29: San Ramon businesswoman Flora Enriquez;
Photo from Instagram/@ @juancarloscuenca
December 30: Star Cinema talented actor and model Jake Cuenca (born in San Jose, California), film director Lav Diaz;
December 31: Indoor/beach volleyball player and coach Liz Masakayan;
Happy Birthday to all December celebrants, and advance Happy Holidays to all Asian Journal readers!
