(UPDATED! More pix!) Nanay Dionisia steals the thunder at Pacquiao birthday party
It was supposed to be exclusively “the” Manny Pacquiao birthday party, an event heralded all over the land, but the champion’s mother Nanay Dionisia would not let it pass by going unnoticed. And so she did what could have been unthinkable a few years back before her son became famous.
She showed off her newly-acquired skills in ballroom dancing by yes, performing the “swing” with her instructor in a much-applauded surprise number before the presence of about 2,000 well-heeled guests, including the President of the Republic of the Philippines.
Nanay Dionisia, the newly crowned Dancing Queen of GenSan
Oh my God! What would Tess Oreta say?
Hmmm… what if I dance up there myself? To Cha-cha or not to cha-cha?
Nanay Dionisia’s terpsichorean skills were not the only surprise for the celebrant and his well-wishers during the Pacquiao birthday party, which has been heralded weeks in advanced by the media, with its magnitude growing by the day in its grandiosity.
There was the presence of Manny’s Kapuso family, stars from television station GMA led by Richard Gutierrez, with his parents Eddie and Annabelle Rama in tow. Then the performance of Journey “frontman” Arnel Pineda who did his own version of “Open Arms” plus two more songs.
But that is going farther into the meat of the celebration already. Let me start from the very beginning, moments before Nanay Dionisia met Dyan Castillejo in this following picture….
But before that, here is the video of the ABS-CBN news report by Dyan Castillejo on the party:
VIP PASS
Even though Bariles got a VIP pass to the Pacquiao birthday party, I was advised by some members of the Events Group handling the party to come as early as 5pm since a free seating arrangement depending on your PASS will be practiced.
And so at exactly quarter past five, I was with my fat brother Orman and his staff from Asia United Bank together with my photographer at their bank all raring to attend the most-awaited event this side of the world, the Pacquiao birthday party.
Since the theme was “Las Vegas” and the Dress Code was “Red Carpet Glam” according to the invitation shown below, we the guys were all wearing tuxedos.
The Pacquiao Birthday Party Invitation
It was my first time since I worked in Kuala Lumpur to wear such and was quite uncomfortable with my Amerkana. I could not close my neck buttons and my front buttons because it was too small for me. I had no choice since it was the only available rentable tuxedo at my ninang Deling’s Gift Shoppe. Orman almost did not want anything to do with me when he saw how pitiful I look in my beige tuxedo. Oh well, bahala na lang gyud! 
We were at the rooftop parking lot by 5:30pm and were shocked that only a few slots were left for our vehicle. We lost no time in entering the mall and whoah! People were lining up both sides of the narrow passageway to the Convention Hall at the other end waiting for Pacquiao’s more famous guests. I was so embarrassed that I walked so fast with my head bowed down because I knew that these people were disappointed that it was just me, and not Dennis Trillo.
We gave our VIP passes to the staff manning the huge doors of the convention hall and were made to pick out a playing card from a pile. It was to serve as our ticket to the raffles later on. In a short while, we were ushered inside by what appeared to be Pinay Playboy bunnies minus the long ears and the tail into the ENTRANCE ARCH with Manny’s initials emblazoned on top.
Well, this must really be it. Welcome to the Pacquiao birthday party, Bariles.
The entrance arch with the MP initials
INSIDE KCC LAS VEGAS
KCC Las Vegas in full swing at the Pacquiao birthday party (foto by Ronald Velasquez)
Inside the VIP Section, our group chose a spot just behind the Presidential table which was in the middle of a small ring.
Boxing Ring cum Presidential Table
To our left a beautiful chanteuse was dishing out standards accompanied by a pianist on a grand piano.
In a while, a backgrounder video on the birthday boy was shown on the large screen up front, to signal the start of the program, and the appearance of a group of dancers with what appears to be feather dusters on their hair obviously doing a Broadway-inspired number.
The feather duster girls ala Broadway
Then, the real program started.. and this time, it’s the entry of You-Know-Who. Check out these pics.
Pacquiao’s Grand Entrance
Manny’s Birthday Girls, er, Cake
After Manny blew his birthday candles, he walked right out to the main door to fetch his number one fan, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It took her the whole of 20 minutes to get to the boxing ring from the entrance because a lot of the guests discarded decorum and tried to have their pictures taken with her. At this point, I must have seen a million PRESIDENTIAL GUARDS guarding her.
The President saying hello to GenSan Mayor Jun and First Lady Rose Acharon.
DENR Secretary Lito Atienza, President Gloria, Manny, TopRank promoter Bob Arum and trainer Freddie Roach
THE PARTY PEOPLE: Click on each for larger view.
Nanay Dionisia with (from right) Asia United Bank’s sales officer Dave Areglado, AUB AVP Orman Manansala, AXA administrator Yvette Areglado, AUB sales officer & soon-to-be-a-bride Lea Cunanan, with client Pacific Seas’ Mars B.
Premier fishing stalwart Mr. Doming Congson and wife, Vice-Mayor Flor Congson, seated with lovely GenSan First lady Dr. Rose Acharon and charming daughter Joahanna, a fresh graduate of Anglo-Chinese Junior College in Singapore.
Seen lining up for Blue Gre Coffee are gorgeous bosom friends (2nd from left) pediatrician Dr. Amalia Brana, banker wife Tess Laiz, top dermatologist Dr. Dina Calderon with sister-in-law leading obstetrician Dr. Cynthia Calderon, in green (would anyone know the other two at the leftmost part of the pic?)
ABS-CBN Socsargen correspondent, the elegantly pretty Chat Ansagay with Col. Ed de Leon, CO of the 173rd Infantry Batallion
Former Olympian boxer Onyok Velasco, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, former LTO-GSC head Gauvain Benzonan and Manolo Madria
Manny’s friends from Manila, and 2nd-timers to Gensan- former Manila Congressman Miles Roces, former Manila vice-mayoralty candidate Ali Atieza, DENR Secretary Lito Atienza and GenSan City Mayor Jun Acharon
Pacquiao Private Secretary, Lianne beautifully dressed for his boss and party director Joey C of ABS-CBN Socsargen
Young and pretty businesswoman Janice Tiu (seated in red) with her lovely friends Gingging Bualan, Janessa Bualan, Ann Bualan, Neneng Lenz. Standing are Jay-Ar Moxier & Ada Yap.
That’s Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez, smart in black chatting with Cookie Factory owner Mr. Munda
GenSan’s newest restaurateur Michael Wee (Grab-A-Crab) and hotelier Romeo Bartolome (East Asia Royale Hotel) with GenSan Sunday Riders prexy Ed Tombo together with two US army personnel.
Arnel Pineda, Pinoy lead singer of the American rock band, Journey, performing beside Ms. GenSan Tourism
Annabelle Rama with Mother Lily who left her after a while to have dinner at Grab A Crab
Painter/book writer Mila Royeca and Girlie Royeca
GenSan Mayor Jun Acharon & AFP Chief Gen. Alex Yano
Richard Gutierrez and his perfect nose (Kainis!)
Eddie Gutierrez
PNB Santiago Branch Head Jessica Nunez-Reyes and Ms. Tourism with Manny. Behind them is Edith Espinosa, Ocean Canning’s Finance Manager
A pencil-thin Jennilyn Mercado performing a forgettable and lackluster song number
Statuesque ABS-CBN SOCSARGEN news reporter Ann Santos all dressed looking for her partner?
Former Pacquiao nemesis, the dapper Mexican David Diaz
Stand up comedian Teri Aunor
Single dad Atty. Tom Falgui, Barangay Apopong Captain Rogelio Pacquiao, Mayor Jun Acharon & First Lady Dr. Rose
TO BE CONTINUED…… MORE PIX….. THE FOOD…. THE GUESTS…..
Related posts:
- President GMA in star-studded Pacquiao birthday party in GenSan
- Happy 60th birthday Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao!
- Manny Pacquiao fetes mom Dionisia in a grand debut party (with video)
- Pacquiao raffling a Toyota Vios for his Birthday Concert
- Manny Pacquiao’s 29th Birthday Party in GenSan (after becoming a Kapuso)
Bariles is Tagalog word for “Tuna”, the primary source of income of the people of General Santos City which hosts 6 of the Philippines’ 8 tuna canneries and more than 80% of its tuna processing plants.
gensanite Says:
hope SIR ORMAN would be able to post his photo with “the newly-crowned dancing queen of gensan” in your update post on this…
Posted on December 18th, 2008 at 4:59 PM
ivotedforgma Says:
suggested caption on the second photo in this post:
Her Excellency, during Mrs. Dionisia Pacquiao’s dance number:
PGMA: “Please, Lord, make this stop.”
suggested caption on the third photo in this post:
When the dancing would not stop:
PGMA: “Lord, nandiyan ka pa ba? Hindi ba talaga sila hihinto?”
Posted on December 18th, 2008 at 5:03 PM
jerome Says:
Kuyaw ni Nanay bah! Sosi na sosi……. more pictures and more kwento Sir Avel
Posted on December 18th, 2008 at 5:04 PM
gensanite Says:
KUY… just a thought… baka puwedeng sumali si “NANAY DIONISIA” sa ‘dancing with the stars’…
Posted on December 18th, 2008 at 5:05 PM
bariles Says:
Hahahaha! Nice one there! Pacontest kaya tayo? What would be your best captions on GMA guys?
Posted on December 18th, 2008 at 6:32 PM
bariles Says:
Coming up Jerome….. wait lang. Hehehe!
Posted on December 18th, 2008 at 6:33 PM
bariles Says:
Why not gensanite? I will really vote for her.
Posted on December 18th, 2008 at 6:34 PM
bariles Says:
Coming up later, gensanite. Mukha silang mag-inang donya.
Posted on December 18th, 2008 at 6:49 PM
delo Says:
I was there last night. Seen Nanay Dionisia dance, scene stealer talaga. Mas nalingaw pako sa sayaw niya kumpara sa mostly sa mga performance ng kapuso stars (except kay Rochelle, sexy!).
the highlight performance last night was from Arnel Pineda, no doubt!
i thought i saw Bariles last night but not quite sure…sobrang daming tao.
delo
Posted on December 18th, 2008 at 7:19 PM
bariles Says:
@delo, aside from Arnel, she was the better performer really.
Too bad, I didn’t see you either. You owe me one. 
Posted on December 18th, 2008 at 7:43 PM
gensanite Says:
@bariles –
hahaha…
galing, KUY, noh? hehehe…
Posted on December 18th, 2008 at 10:02 PM
tanchi Says:
grabe….:) unique bday to:)
my bestfriend got a phonecall from jennylyn mercado that night, cousin kasi nya ynug performer din dun,
tanchis last blog post..What if…
Posted on December 18th, 2008 at 10:05 PM
tanchi Says:
haha..i love the captionj of gma, -> Lord, please make this stop…lol
tanchis last blog post..What if…
Posted on December 18th, 2008 at 10:07 PM
jinky Says:
ha ha – I thought, Pres. GMA said :
“OMG, asan na ba si Sec. Dureza, I need him to pray right now!”
“On the other hand, ok na rin na wala si Sec. Dureza, instead I will ask Bariles to pray for Dionisia”
he he – wala lang po magawa. . .
Posted on December 19th, 2008 at 8:46 AM
loy Says:
Nanay Dionisia is as entertaining and amusing a character as his popular son.
loys last blog post..The Best Wordpress Plugins For Blogging Newbies
Posted on December 19th, 2008 at 10:14 AM
ark Says:
What if si idol Manny at si nanay Dionisia ang nagpartner? Malamang na mas maganda panoorin un, hehe..
arks last blog post..Our Wedding Chronicles: Invitation
Posted on December 19th, 2008 at 1:32 PM
Rue Ramas Says:
First time sana nagkaroon ng red carpet glam ang Gensan. But our local society is not ready for a good one yet. And the organizers need to learn more. It was not a birthday party… it was a concert!!!
It was Manny’s birthday, but it seemed only one person was pleased that night… Sa kanya ang buong tatlong oras.
But I am happy the whole world talked about Gensan for a while. And kumita ang Gensan… di ba?
Posted on December 19th, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Psyche Says:
Kuya Avel asa ang picture sa nakatuxedo?
Psyches last blog post..Beyond VOS – asking more from land reform.
Posted on December 19th, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Joseph Vergara Says:
kuya avel musta???oo nga bat kasi hindi nila pinasayaw ang mag ina.bongga pla ang gensan kuy no?sayang wla ako jan sa gensan kundi sana nakatikim n nman ng litson baboy for 2 years,hehehe..Godbless kuy..
Posted on December 19th, 2008 at 4:51 PM
gensanite Says:
@Rue Ramas –
here, here!!! i agree… 100%…
the party is in the news (philippine star) since last week…
better media mileage for gensan… good publicity would have people come to visit our city…
Posted on December 19th, 2008 at 6:20 PM
amie Says:
kuya avel,
i wanna see your pix na suot mo yong tuxedo, hehehe…
Merry Christmas generals!!!
Posted on December 19th, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Pinoy Love & Relationship Forum Says:
wow mukhang sosyal si nanay dionisia.
Posted on December 19th, 2008 at 11:12 PM
jo2saints Says:
Avel,
I need to see a photo of you that night! Orms too!
Posted on December 19th, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Allan Says:
You will admire her for her COURAGE to do things to PLEASE herself and his son and most of all JINKY. I just hope one day she realize that what she does not please anyone. Keep the enourmous faith that she has with our creator and keep loving his son. I wish that DIONISIA be given the respect she deserve . . . . . right JINKY??????
Posted on December 20th, 2008 at 12:26 AM
Ram Says:
WOW GRRRRRRRRAAAAAABBBBBBBBBBEEEEEEEE TALAGA.!!!!!!!!!!!!………..WHEW!
Posted on December 20th, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Ronald C. Rivera Says:
hehehe, nanay dionisia has trully slugged a “One Big Knockout Punch!” during Pacman’s Bday. I give her 1000pts for her best effort to fine tune her steps that really caugt Manny right thru his chin.
C’mon, let’s just give her the appreciation she deserve for the effort she generously did for our “Pambansang Kamao!”. =8)
Ronald C. Riveras last blog post..Glamour shoot with Gensan Beauties
Posted on December 20th, 2008 at 5:39 PM
danX Says:
Wow…ang bongga ng party ni pacman. Lumakas lalu ang tourism sa General Santos City.
Siguro maraming foreigner ang gusting makapunta dito sa Gensan.
@Sir Avel, keep up the good work….
Hey visit this site for free MP3 and Karaoke Download:
http://www.KaraokingPinoy.com
danXs last blog post..Top 40 Richest Filipinos of 2008
Posted on December 20th, 2008 at 8:27 PM
jinky Says:
In fairness, I salute nanay dionisia for that daring dance number . . . .
The morning after the party, I had the chance of a lifetime of seeing in person majority of Pacman’s VIP guests at the GSC airport. I really enjoyed stargazing nung nag-uwian ang mga guests.
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 9:27 AM
dimple Says:
@ sir orman – HEAR! HEAR!
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 9:58 AM
anonymouse :) Says:
@Manoy Avel, you forgot to check one place for your tuxedo. Daghang mahulam unta, libre pa! Sa Taycham, St. Peters! Ajejeje
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 11:14 AM
bariles Says:
@anonymouse, ngyeeeh!!!!!!
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 AM
ms firefly Says:
whew, i’ve just mentioned in one of your older post how nanay dionisia dances the friday nights away at miss mocca, and there she is already, in all her ballroom dancing glory for all the philippines to see! weeee! she’s my idol! i hope they’re still dancing in our resto when i go home next year, i want to tell her i’m sobrang bilib to her!
ms fireflys last blog post..i just chased the bug away
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Ayel Says:
Sayang, wlang vid ng buong performance ni Nanay Dionisa.
Merry xmas, Sir Avel!
Ayels last blog post..The Collector
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 8:30 PM
MArites Says:
wow! galinga naka-attend jud ka:) ngano wala nimo parise si Nanay Dionisia?
MAritess last blog post..PhotoHunt#12 Wide
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 8:47 PM
kengkay Says:
iba talaga ang dating ng mga nanay, hehehe
maligayang pasko po!
kengkays last blog post..sinoli ang regalo
Posted on December 23rd, 2008 at 3:29 AM
gensanite Says:
nice one on the “cha-cha” caption, KUY… hehehe…
Posted on December 23rd, 2008 at 11:05 AM
SleeplessInKL Says:
GenSan’s in the spotlight again, thanks to PacMan. And his mom haha!
SleeplessInKLs last blog post..Tempory Outage
Posted on December 23rd, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Janette Toral Says:
Wow Avel. That birthday party was surely a blast. It is nice to see Manny’s mom enjoying the affair as well. Manny must be truly proud of his mom. Happy holidays to you!
Posted on December 24th, 2008 at 4:29 AM
What is the average wait time to get into a top notch nightclub in Vegas on Saturday night? | SmarterNights Says:
[...] Bariles Republic’s GenSantos.Com » Blog Archive » Nanay Dionisia … [...]
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Bogs Says:
San mo po nakuha VIP pass sir Bariles? haha parang sarap maki pag osyoso dyan sa mga bigtime people. Suit lng kelangan mo.
Posted on December 31st, 2008 at 1:14 PM
bryan tablazon Says:
whahahahhaha whahhahaha….nanay dionesia unta nag sayaw mo ni PGMA og CHA-CHA kay mao manang gsto ni PGMA Cha2x hihihihihihiihihihihihihihi ang steping sa chacha kay 1st step unta modugay pako sa posisyun 2nd step unta wlay election sa 2010 3rd unta dli ko madamay sa ZTE Broadband deal 4th step dili pud unta ko madamay sa fertilizer fund scam .,…last but not the list unta daghan pako mailad na mga pilipino hihihihihiihihihihiihihihiih labanan ang kahirapan motto ni pGMa Ambot lng sa imo ka PGMa
Posted on January 4th, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Sleepless In KL Says:
Suggested caption for Eddie Gutierrez’ pic:
Eddie Gutierrez – the source of Richard Gutierrez’ perfect nose. Also, how Richard Gutierrez will look like 40 years from now.
Sleepless In KLs last blog post..An Unexpected Award
Posted on January 9th, 2009 at 1:14 PM
bariles Says:
@Sleepless, hehhehe! You’re right. Hey, have they started airing the trailer for KAHIT ISANG SAGLIT, the telenovela which was partially shot there in KL and starring Malaysian Carmen Soo and PInoy Jericho Rosales?
Posted on January 9th, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Gil Says:
Hi bariles! The guy with the lady reporter(chat) is non other than the C.O. of the the 73rd IB,PA,Col.Ed de leon.More power!
Posted on January 10th, 2009 at 3:23 AM
Nelson J. T. Says:
Did congresswoman Darlene attend the party?
Posted on January 10th, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Sleepless In KL Says:
erm…i’m almost embarrassed to admit i don’t know anything about it (altho a lot of people told me about it) because #1: i hardly watch tv and #2 the tv at home is controlled by my kids and limited to the cartoon channels.
what i do know is: jericho rosales and kristine hermosa have a lot of fans here! but when jericho came here with a different woman in tow (his gf in real life), their fans were kinda disappointed.
@bariles -
Posted on January 10th, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Pacquiao-Stallone movie ala Rush Hour, coming soon! | Bariles Republic's GenSantos.Com Says:
[...] to Pineda, Pacquiao (fresh from his month-long birthday celeb) and Stallone met at the LA office of the actor who brought along his sons, Michael and Jimwell, [...]
Posted on January 13th, 2009 at 5:50 PM
dimple Says:
- too bad the Congresswoman did not made it.. wala siya ka attend
Posted on January 14th, 2009 at 5:46 PM
odette Says:
i’m surprised to see kuya tom’s pic here. will tell him i did!
i’m spotting more familiar faces here, it feels like i’m back in gensan.
Posted on February 10th, 2009 at 4:27 PM
An invite to the baptism of Queenie Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao's daughter | Bariles Republic's GenSan News Online Mag Says:
[...] will be held again at the KCC Mall of GenSan Events and Convention Center, the same venue for his birthday last December [...]
Posted on February 18th, 2009 at 6:54 PM
Manny Pacquiao gives mother Dionisia Pacquiao a grand 60th birthday party | Bariles Republic's GenSan News Online Mag Says:
[...] Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao with her amiga Dyan Castillejo during son Manny’s birthday party last December 2008 [...]
Posted on May 15th, 2009 at 10:40 AM
PGMA, Mayor Acharon to sign Statement of Acceptance of Unified Biz Form | GenSan News Online Mag Says:
[...] President, Honorable Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will once again visit Soccsksargen for two days, starting tomorrow, Thursday, June 11 until June [...]
Posted on June 9th, 2009 at 3:57 PM
judith Says:
i salute u nanay dionisia….. cguro sa hirap na naranasan mo noon ito na ang kapalit …. HAPINESS….IM PROUD OF U ….UR SUCH A GREAT MOM…
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 1:21 PM
judith Says:
i salute u nanay dionisia….. cguro sa hirap na naranasan mo noon ito na ang kapalit …. HAPINESS….IM PROUD OF U ….UR SUCH A GREAT MOM…ITS ME JUDITH GO IN 1043 DATOC COMP. DIGOS CITY……
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 1:23 PM
lina Says:
curious lang….may i know who’s nanay dionesia’s d i? magaling magturo. inspired si nanay…bumata siya… nay, mabuhay ka! u deserve what u are enjoying now..
Posted on September 17th, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Toyota VIOS to be raffled off at Manny Pacquiao's Birthday Party Concert | GenSan News Online Mag Says:
[...] bigger and more grandiose than his all his past birthdays combined. (See our blog posts on his 2008 and 2007 parties by clicking on their respective [...]
Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 5:47 PM