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KIAMBA, PHILIPPINES – MAY 10: World welterweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who is seeking a seat in the Philippine Congress with his party with the Nacionalista Party, fills in his ballot on May 10, 2010 at a local school in the southern town of Kiamba, Sarangani Province. The country goes to the polls today to elect the 15th President of the Philippines to succeed outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (Photo by Jeoffrey Maitem/Getty Images) Jeoffrey Maitem/Getty Images

If you don’t like Manny Pacquiao, then you haven’t got a pulse.

I don’t care if you don’t like him as a boxer, but as a human being he’s one of a kind.

At a time when most young men with millions of dollars are squandering their money on big houses, gaudy jewelry, loose women, and flashy cars, Manny Pacquiao is entering politics?

That’s right!

Pacquiao won a seat in the Philippines Congress representing the province of Sarangani on the island of Mindanao. Early tallies are that he secured 90,000 votes out of a possible 125,000.

In other words, he dominated the voting like he dominates most opponents.

“This is the biggest achievement of Manny’s life. More than any boxing match,” said Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz.

Pacquiao was defeated soundly and decisively in his previous attempt at public office, an unorganized and poorly run 2007 congressional campaign in the province of South Cotabato. He lost that election to the Antonino-Custodio political clan that runs General Santos City.

For this congressional campaign, Pacquiao shrewdly selected a province in the south, Sarangani, which is also the hometown of his wife, Jinkee. He worked tirelessly to ensure he would win this campaign to help the impoverished people of his native Philippines.

It was as tense and frustrating day.

Over 17,000 candidates across the Philippines were at the mercy of long lines at the first fully automated voting machines in the country’s history. Hopefully, this technological innovation will go a long way to subdue the problem of fraud, voter buying, and intimidation in past elections.

Pacquiao was busy at his General Santos City mansion, anxiously watching poll results and talking with his campaign staff. He was trying to get a pulse on the people, many of whom exist on less than $2.00 per day, and where they were leaning.

“It’s 80-20 [percent] in my favor,” Pacquiao, 31, announced at 4 pm, to the shouts and hollers of his campaign supporters.

His adversary, Chiongbian, whose billionaire family has been in control for at least 30 years, was thought to be unbeatable. The Chiongbian family owns most of the businesses and utilities in the area.

Many experts thought it was impossible to replace a Chiongbian, long a powerful name within the district.

However, Pacquiao is the nation’s national hero, and his charitable contributions are legendary. After each fight, Pacquiao walks the city streets handing out food and money to the poor. He has sponsored schools and clinics and made every effort possible to lift his people out of the grasp of poverty.

On Monday, he made one more huge leap by finally winning a congressional seat. This could be the first step on the way to, one day, becoming president of the Philippine islands.

It’s refreshing; no, that’s too light of a word.

It gives me faith in the human race that an athlete of Pacquiao’s stature would be so concerned with public office and helping his people. I don’t know what kind of politician he’ll make, but the effort itself is awe inspiring.

I wish him the best of luck.

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Police arrest Oakland girl, 15, in man’s shooting death
By Harry Harris
Oakland Tribune
Posted: 04/19/2010 06:15:04 AM PDT
Updated: 04/19/2010 06:16:03 AM PDT

OAKLAND — A 15-year-old Oakland girl was arrested early Sunday on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of an 18-year-old Oakland man she was dating.

The victim was identified as Davante Riley. Police are not releasing the girl’s name because of her age.

The pair were at an East Oakland apartment early Sunday celebrating Riley’s birthday with others. He had turned 18 Saturday.

The shooting happened about 12:14 a.m. inside the apartment in the 2200 block of East 20th Street, Sgt. Mike Gantt said. Police arrived to find Riley suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to Highland Hospital, where he died at 12:47 a.m.

Police aren’t releasing details of the events that led to the shooting. The girl told police that she and Riley had met a couple of months ago through mutual friends, and that they had started dating about two weeks ago.

Police said the apartment belonged to a relative of Riley’s who was not present at the time of the shooting.

Jasmine Ario, 18, said she met Riley two years ago at a party in Oakland. She said news of his death spread quickly on Facebook, which was how she found out he had died. She said she couldn’t believe it because he was friendly and well liked by many.

“He made friends very well. There was something about his personality,” Ario said. “You would never see him mad or sad. Even if he was, he wouldn’t show.” Ario said that friends were considering holding a memorial tonight near the apartment where he was killed.

Ario said Riley attended Fremont High School in Oakland and later Bunche Academy, an Oakland continuation school.

The case will be reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office. The killing was Oakland’s 28th homicide of the year.

In an unrelated shooting Saturday night, a 15-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man suffered wounds that were not life threatening in an attack in the 1800 block of Adeline Street in West Oakland.

The shooting happened about 10:38 p.m. Saturday. The 15-year-old was hit in the arm and the 19-year-old in the buttocks, police said.

A 21-year-old man was being questioned Sunday morning in connection with the shooting. A motive has not been determined.

PAPASF & MAV FOUNDATION PROUDLY PRESENTS

in association with JILLIANS:

MAV Foundation Love and Hope Fashion Show/PapaSF Afterparty
Hosted by Joanna “Cocktail” Hernandez winner of “For the Love of Ray J.”

Saturday, February 13th, 2010
Come support MAV Foundation and Papa SF for our Love and Hope Fashion Show benefiting Leukemia/Lymphoma. This will be an event to remember and to share with your loved ones.

Doors will open at 6 pm

Fashion Show starts at 7:30

Followed by official afterparty at 9:30PM

JILLIANS (Inside the Metreon)
101 4th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Official Love and Hope Afterparty DJ’s:

Spinning the Hottest Club Hits, R&B, Reggae, and Mash Ups:

DJ Romeo-Kaotic Chemistry

DJ Brian V-Kaotic Chemistry
Celebrating Birthdays:

The official birthday of Lloyd Devera, Samantha Marie, Christina Masangcay, Linda Rith, Raina Mae, and David (Lolo),

For Birthdays, Bottle Services, Please Call Paulandre (510) 224-0619
TICKETS ARE $30 FOR THE FASHION SHOW AND AFTER PARTY AND CAN NOW BE PURCHASED AT http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/96076

Please dress to impress and bring your love and positive attitude.

Jillian’s party info:

- 21+ (Upscale Event)
- Party Non-stop From 9:30pm – 2am
- Upscale Dress Code Strictly Enforced
- NO Sports Gear, Collar shirt required
- Plenty of FREE street parking.
- Garage parking available.
- Huge fully stocked bar largest in downtown.

==========================

Come support MAV Foundation and Papa SF for our Love and Hope Fashion Show benefiting Leukemia/Lymphoma. This will be an event to remember and to share with your loved ones.

We will also be collecting new or slightly used books for kids to donate to Childrens Hospital and Lucile Packards Childrens Hospital in Stanford.

Doors will open at 6 pm

Fashion Show starts at 7:30

We got DJ Carrion Kidd from the old skool days spinning on the turntablee

Designers:

Cody Catrin
Rexy’s Closet with collaborations with Sandy Munio
Revelation by M.E.
Eric Tan
CA Couture/Punky Couture with collaborations with Sons of the Nation
Clothing from Moxsie

Made Jewelry
Performers are our very own Arnelle Lozada and Jayne Rio

TICKETS ARE $30 FOR THE FASHION SHOW AND AFTER PARTY AND CAN NOW BE PURCHASED AT http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/96076

Please dress to impress and bring your love and positive attitude.

Questions? Please feel free to contact us at mavfoundation@yahoo.com or info@papasf.com