Yesterday, while a lot among us lesser mortals were busy scratching our heads trying to figure out ways on where to find the money to buy our Christmas gifts for our loved ones, World Boxing Champ and Sarangani Province lone congressional district representative Manny Pacquiao was at the Port Area of the municipality of Glan, to unveil his present to his pretty wife, Jinkee – a brand new yacht!

The Italian-made yacht cost Manny Pacquiao twenty-five million pesos (P25,000,000.00), which is considered peanuts compared to his earnings from his last victory over Juan Miguel Marquez.  He has also raffled off two-million pesos (P2,000,000.00) during his 33rd Birthday Party two days earlier, on December 17, 2011.

The unveiling of the yacht which was named Sarangani’s Pride, was also timed with its blessing by a Catholic priest and witnessed by Congressman Pacquiao’s friends including Glan Mayor Victor James Yap, Sr., Jinkee’s relatives and members of the media.

As news of the event spread nationwide, not a few of our kababayans expressed disappointment at the fact that Manny Pacquiao chose to unveil it less than three days after the disasters which struck Northern Mindanao and parts of Eastern Visayas.

Read more about their reactions by clicking here.

In fairness, Manny Pacquiao slashed 1million pesos from his pork barrel to donate to the Typhoon Sendong survivors.  He has also reportedly ordered his staff to deliver truckloads of relief goods to Northern Mindanao this week. Bravo Manny!

I have misgivings though with this surprise unveiling of his P25million worth of gift to his dutiful wife, Jinkee.  He could have postponed it to a much-later date.

But then again, Manny Pacquiao is Manny Pacquiao!  Either way, he will still get reactions from all over especially on something this expensive.

How about you?  What do you think?

(Pictures courtesy of Boyette dela Cerna of Escalera News)