‘Mommy Dionesia’ prays to Saint Isidore
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Dionesia DapidranPacquiao, more popularly known as “Mommy D,” said she always relied on the power of prayers every time her son-eight-division world titleholder Manny Pacquiao — entered the ring.
weigh-in at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center ushering in Pacquiao’s world title bout today against World Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.
“Hang gang kay a, to dos up or ta ta lag a ak osaka nyasa pa ma mag it anngwa lang ti gil nada sal para sap a mil ya at hindi lang na man para saa min para sa bu ong mundonarin [As long as I can, I will fully support my son through endless prayers for our family and I am doing it not only for us but for the whole world as well],” Pacquiao’s mother told TheManilaTimes. still has got speed and power despite his
(39), and could snatch the title from his Argentine foe.
“Okayangedadniya,nagtaas peroyunglakastuloytuloylang dahilsamga prayers. Nag- pray akongmadalingaraw,mgaalas singkonamakuhaniyaangtimbang [His age is okay, he is older but his strength is still there because of prayers. I prayed at dawn, about 5 a.m. for him to make the weight and he did],” she said.
Mommy D is a devout Catholic while Pacquiao is an Evangelical Christian though Mommy D said there is no conflict between her and her son as far as religion is concerned.
“Walanaman,iisangPanginoon langnamankami [No conflict, because we have the same God],” she added.
“Angp at ronkoays iS an Isidro [ Saint Isidore], athalos is angoras ako na gd ada salsa mala king sim ba han ni Saint Michael. Hang ad na min man a lo siyaat support nilasi Emmanuel [ My patron saint is Saint Isidore, and I also prayed at the big church of Saint Michael for almost one hour. We want their support to make Emmanuel win],” Mommy D said, calling Manny by his real name. She said she believes Pacquiao (59-7-2 win-loss-draw record with 38 knockouts) is capable of at least - ting boxing.
Mommy D added that she does not feel fear or pressure heading
“I’m excited and waiting. I’m not nervous and pressured. Everything is going smooth,” she said in Filipino.