ITS A PACQUIAO WEEKEND
MOVIE THEATERS and hotels will show the fight live, documentaries will be aired, and there will be free screenings around the country — including one arranged by Pru Life UK for the residents of Yolanda-ravaged Bantayan Island in northern Cebu — as the country gears up for the much awaited Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather fight on Saturday, May 2 in the US (May 3, Sunday in the Philippines).
Before the fight itself, one can check out the documentary Manny Pacquiao and Nike Training Present: Inner Strength on www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA82CfrJh9U.
Meanwhile, CNN International will have an encore screening of its documentary on human trafficking entitled
The Fighters featuring Manny Pacquiao and a world-renowned anti-slavery organization the Visayan Forum.
For two years, CNN followed the journey of human rights activist Cecilia Flores- Oebanda and her determination to protect women and children. She convinced Pacquiao, to join her as an active fighter in the battle against modern slavery.
The Fighters will air several times on CNN International on May 1 and 2. For more information, contact Visayan Forum at 709-0711 local 104, or 09175467-160 or info@visayanforum.org.
CINEMAS AND HOTELS
SM Cinema and Walter Mart ( WM) Cinemas will bring the heart pounding action to the big screens via a live telecast of the bout in Las Vegas.
SM Cinema has been selling tickets to the screening since March 27 with promos and freebies given to those who choose to watch the fight on the big screen. Early ticket holders will receive a specially designed T-shirt for free with each single-receipt purchase; e-PLUS cardholders get a complimentary ticket to the fight along with a free T-shirt, when they purchase using their e-PLUS cards.
SM Cinema patrons can choose to watch the fight at its HD Cinemas, IMAX theaters, and Director’s Club Cinemas. Patrons who choose to watch at any Director’s Club Cinema branch across the metro have the option to add on a buffet meal onto their ticket purchase for P250 per head. The Mall of Asia Arena has announced that the venue will also hold a viewing event for the fight — however ticket details are yet to be confirmed according to an SM release.
Tickets are available at www.smcinema.com, www.smtickets.com, and any SM Ticket and WM Cinemas branch nationwide.
The Marriott offers luxury viewing of the bout on May 3, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Garden Rooms. The P3,500 ticket includes a buffet brunch with unlimited iced tea, soda and San Miguel Beer. Tickets are available at the Business Center. The hotel is located at the Newport City Complex, Pasay City, Manila. For details call 988-9999.
At the south of the metro, the Acacia Hotel Manila is offering guests a live telecast of the fight from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas as well as a buffet breakfast to be held in the hotel’s function rooms on May 3. Tickets are available for P2,500 net per person at the Guajes Function room and P3,000 nett per person at the Kamali function room with unlimited pica-pica and two rounds of beer. Tickets are inclusive of buffet breakfast with one round of iced tea available from 8 to 11 a.m. For inquiries call 720-2000 or e-mail enquiry@ acaciahotelsmanila.com. Tickets are available at the Guest Services Desk.
Nearby, The Bellevue Manila is offering patrons to view the fight via a direct live feed from the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas presented by SkyBiz, Solar Entertainment and Sky Cable at the hotel’s Grand Ballroom. Watch the match on wide screens while enjoying a buffet breakfast from 8 a.m. until the start of the main event with refillable iced tea, coffee and tea for P2,500 net. Tickets are now available at the hotel and seats are on a first to purchase basis. For more information, call 771-8181 or 0917-871-8181 or visit www.thebellevue.com.
Meanwhile, those who avail of the Champion Room Package or the Fam- ily Sunday Brunch at the Crimson Hotel will get to watch the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight for free. The Champion Room Package ranges from P6,000 net to P12,000 net depending on the room, and comes with breakfast and access passes for two.
The Family Sunday Brunch Buffet at Café Eight costs P2,100 net per person and includes one access pass to view the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight at the Crimson Grand Ballroom. The brunch buffet — which features an international buffet with live food stations — comes with unlimited Mimosas, local beer, house wine and juices, free parking, free kids area and entertainment (kids can access the pool from 2-4 pm). The buffet is free for kids below four feet and 50% off for kids up to 4-1/2 feet. Guest availing this promotion are entitled to participate in the Family Sunday Brunch + Free Travel Raffle. For inquiries, e-mail info.alabang@crimsonhotel.com or call 863-2222.
In Makati City, Buddha Bar Manila will host a live screening of the fight on May 3, 8 a.m. For P1,499, diners are entitled to VIP tickets inclusive of free complimentary pass for a companion, two drinks of your choice (soda, chilled juices, and local beer), a special snack platter and unlimited local beer, rum coke, and vodka Sprite from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is sponsored by Devant Digital TV. Buddha-Bar Manila is located at Picar Place, Kalayaan Ave., Makati City. For reservations, call 856-6859, 856-6719, 0915-592-4141 or e-mail info@buddhabarmanila.com.