Tale of two birthday celebrators

Like many sports fans, I was eager to get a feedback on the birthday celebration of two famous sports personalities.
The first is eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who turned 33 last Saturday and splurged on an P8-million party at a convention center in General Santos City, according to an item I read on a website.
But because only a few members of the media attended the event, I missed out on the more succulent sidelights.
Jinkee Pacquiao had a very interesting gift for her husband, but I’m sure it was not on display at his birthday celebration.
They said it’s a specially built bus that has all the comforts and amenities of a hotel room, or even a small home.
“It’s like a camper but it’s not because a camper is smaller,” said a scribe who told me about the gift. “Jinkee thought of this gift so Manny could rest during the long trips to and from his residence in (Mamplasan, Biñan) Laguna and the Batasan in Quezon City.”
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According to the scribe, one thing that sparked interest among Pinoy boxing fans was the pound-for-pound king’s announcement that he’s willing to accept a smaller purse in a possible showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
This actually means that Pacquiao is willing to settle for a prize purse smaller than what Mayweather could get for the fight.
“Para matuloy na lang [Just so it would happen], to give boxing fans what they had long been clamoring for,” Pacquiao was quoted saying.
But will the Fight of the Century ever push through?
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Based on a report on the website Philboxing, the Mayweather camp has had initial talks with promoter Lou Di Bella for a fight with middleweight king Sergio Martinez of Argentina.
The report said that this match is bound to push through if the fight of the century falls through.
So far, the Pacman has given in to two of Mayweather’s capricious demands. One required him to undergo an Olympic-style random drug test.
What will Mayweather ask for next? Remember that the Sarangani congressman filed a defamation suit against the undefeated American over his claim that Pacquiao uses performance-enhancing drugs.
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The other birthday celebrator last weekend was former senator Nikki Coseteng, who observed her natal day with a big swimming competition at the Rizal Memorial pool in Manila.
Nikki said more than 400 swimmers participated in the one-day event which culminated in a feast.
The competition started at 8 in the morning and ended at 8 in the evening.
“We were very very tired at the end of the day but very happy,” Nikki said.
“First, because one ot the swimmers broke a record, which had been my birthday wish, and second, PSC chair Richie Garcia graced the occasion. He was there for the opening ceremonies in the morning, then he returned for the awarding ceremonies in the evening. PSC commissioner Buddy Andrada was with him. Ateneo sports director Ricky Palou was also there,” Nikki added.
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According to Nikki, the 400 swimmers who competed came from prestigious schools all over the country, including University of the Philippines and De La Salle University.
“These are top swimmers who participated,” she said as she mentioned names that excelled in the day’s competition: Paula Cayanan, Kevin Claveria, Jasmine Alkhaidi.