In support of Manny Pacquiao’s May 7 fight with Shane Mosely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nike will be releasing 50 pairs of the limited edition Nike Trainer 1.3 Max later today, April 27 (Wednesday), 7 p.m. at Nike Park, The Fort in Taguig City.

Only 50 pairs of the Pacman Nike training shoes will be relased and a lottery will be held so that shoppers can avail of the 50 pairs up for grabs at Nike Park The Fort. Ballots will be distributed starting 5 pm and the lottery will begin exactly at 7pm. The Nike Trainer 1.3 Max retails at P7,995.

As Manny’s daily running shoe, the Nike Trainer 1.3 Max provides a soft and comfortable ride after hours of rigorous, high-impact training in the gym. With mesh zones for cooling, the shoe is ideal for year-round use in hot climates like the Philippines.

A full Manny Pacquiao-inspired collection of apparel and the Nike Zoom Huarache Low will also be available at select Nike stores beginning April 27.

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is now officially the brand ambassador of Sony Philippines’ much-awaited, state-of-the-art lineup of 3D home entertainment products. He is shown in the photo receiving a certificate from Sony Philippines president and managing director Takao Kuroda for being the country’s first owner of the Sony Bravia 3D TV and 3D Blu-Ray Player.

Prices aren’t known yet, but the advent of Sony 3D TV is expected to bring the excitement of playing 3D games and 3D movies right in the comfort of our own homes. The 3D TVs come complete with 3D glasses, and people from Sony are also saying that 3D will also be incorporated in their PlayStation 3 consoles and VAIO PCs soon after. It’s definitely worth watching out for! After the popularity of LCD TVs, I guess 3D is the next wave in TV technology (and everything else, besides!)

Pacquiao shows here how to watch 3D TV (with 3D glasses of course). In a press conference at New World Hotel in Makati City, he said he accepted the offer to endorse Sony because he has always patronized Sony products, from Betamax to the Walkman. The boxing champ will go back to the ring again onNov. 13 to fight a still-unnamed opponent. Will it be Floyd Mayweather or Antonio Margarito? Whoever he ends up with, I hope that the Sony people will come up with something to let us watch the fight in 3D to fully enjoy the experience. It was nice finally seeing the legendary Manny Pacquiao in person …. w00t!

Beth Celis of the Inquirer, quoting people close to Manny Pacquiao, wrote last Friday, Nov. 13: “Not only does she [Krista] wipe his face and body during workouts, she also feeds him like a baby during mealtimes,” said the well-informed source.”

Not a few people saw the two of them in romantic Baguio City where Pacquiao trained for weeks.

Sources in the sports community now chorus “totoo talaga.” (yes, it’s true)

We can only say: yes it’s true. Manny Pacquiao and Krista Ranillo will be seen together in the forthcoming movie Wapakman, to be shown during the Metro Manila Film Festival 2009

Who is Krista Ranillo and why are people suddenly curious about her?

Showbiz runs in her blood, being the daughter of 70s heartthrob Matt Ranillo III and the former Linda Tupaz. She is also the granddaughter of veteran actress Gloria Sevilla.

She’s posed sexily for the Philippines’ top men’s magazines FHM and Maxim.

She was a Dean’s Lister at the Ateneo De Manila University where she majored in Interdisciplinary Studies and graduated in 2007.

Anyhoo, Pacquiao’s historic match against Miguel Cotto certainly didn’t show any strains in the Pacquiao household. His wife Jinkee Pacquiao was seen cheering him on in the front row. ’twas also the first time when Jinkee was seen walking side-by-side with Manny as he entered his dressing room at the MGM Grand Arena, prior to the bout.

And somehow,Mrs. Pacquiao looked quite the looker in a pink cowl neck mini dress, matched by a bright pink Hermes bag (prices ranging from $7,000 to $50,000).

Ayaw patalo. Kibitzers say the bag Krista is carrying these days is a Chanel

The tale of the tape is complete after today’s weigh-in of the Philippines’ pride, Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao and Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. Am sure everyone’s waiting with bated breath for the outcome of the much-awaited fight. And am sleeping early to catch it at 8 a.m. tomorrow, November 15, Manila time The tale of the tape (pre-fight measurements) show Cotto is taller, younger and heavier, but never underestimate the speed and the power of Pacquiao.

Manny Pacquiao

Age : 30
Weight : 144 lbs.
Height: 5 ft. 6.5 in. (1.69m)
Reach: 67″

49 wins, three losses, two no-contests, 37 KOs

Miguel Cotto

Age : 29
Weight: 145 lbs.
Height: 5 ft. 7 in. (170 m)
Reach: 67″

34 wins, one loss, 27 KOs

A few more winks and the greatest Firepower fight on the planet will commence. Here are some quotable quotes gathered from news sources:

Pacquiao on Cotto: I feel stronger at this weight than I ever have. My punches are harder, my speed is intact. I keep getting warned about Cotto’s body attack but Cotto should be worried about my body attack.

Cotto on Pacquaio: I’m prepared for the speed of Manny. My hand speed is pretty equal to Manny’s. But can Manny’s power equal Miguel Cotto’s on Saturday night? I know what I’m capable of doing, and there is no doubt in my mind that I’m going to win this fight.

Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach: “We’re in great shape for the fight.”

Cotto trainer Joe Santiago: ” Good luck Manny, you’re going to need it.”

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on who will win the Pacquiao-Cotto fight: “Of course the Pacman’s going to win. I mean, is there any doubt?

Manny Pacquiao on Krista Ranillo: “No comment”

Money for The Manny. God bless the star of Philippine boxing!

I will be out of town and will not be around to know how traffic in Manila stops during this time. Although I’ve pinned my hopes on Pacman before, this time am betting on Hatton to humble down the greatest Filipino boxer of all time. But then again, I could be wrong and that makes their match really exciting

The City of Manila under Mayor Alfredo Lim has been notable in offering free screenings for the match to their residents in chosen venues, like the sports complexes. Likewise , the AFP and PNP are doing free screenings for military and police personnel. (just a note: won’t this compromise the security situation?)

On the other hand, malls, hotels, restaurants and bars take advantage of the public anticipation to sell tickets, ranging from P500 to P1000 so viewers can enjoy the show, complete with food and drinks. People are cashing in on the match, in more ways than we can imagine.