BORACAY ISLAND – What island folk here thought and called “Pacquiao’s Resort” is not after all owned by Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.

West Cove, a resort inspired by the world-famous destination Santorini in Greece but is popularly known as Pacquiao’s Resort, is not Manny’s but is owned by businessman Crisostomo Aquino, who is a big fan and friend of the Pacquiaos.

To island folk, however, West Cove is Pacquiao’s Resort.

And they may have reason to think this way. Twice already, Pacquiao was seen here with his family – once, apparently to patch up things with wife Jinky after a spat; and second, to “assemble” their youngest child, Queen Elizabeth.

“I’m the sole owner of the resort, but I don’t mind that people think it’s Manny’s. Biro mo, World Champion ’yun tapos may ganung resort? Madinig pa lang ng mga tao siguradong interesado na makita at pupuntahan talaga,” said Aquino. He added: “But I want it to be a tribute to our world champion, gusto ko na may mapupuntahan siya (sa Boracay) pag nagretire siya later on. It’s already on our plans to put up a museum in the resort. I want to put all the Pacquiao memorabilia I have collected over the years in our sports bar that is currently being finished.”

Aquino has been a big fan of Pacquiao since the champ’s early career.

He met Pacquiao through Frank Nazario in the US back in 2001 and the relationship grew from there.

“There were 12 of us who watched him fight and what’s amazing is that all of us felt that it was the start of Philippine boxing history. Noon pa lang nakita ko na ’yung potential ’nung bata. I followed his career and knew that he’s really different, kahit na ’nung una pa lang na sunod sunod ang suntok niya and wala pang masyadong strategy. Pero pagsumuntok alam mong babagsak ’yung kalaban,” Aquino excitingly shared.

Made in Boracay Another buzz circling around the hotel is that Manny and Jinky’s youngest daughter was conceived in West Cove.

“It was around two years ago nagkakatampuhan sila ni Jinky and dito sila nagkaayos, and kung bibilangin mo nga ’yung buwan malaki nga ’yung possibility na dito ginawa si Queen Elizabeth. I think it was in December of 2007 before the Marquez fight, so I know this place is memorable to Manny,” Aquino said.

If such a theory is true then Manny’s daughter was concieved in the hotel’s Room 108, the resort’s biggest room and of course most sought-after by Filipino guests. But local and foreign tourists don’t need the specific room to ignite their flames of passion. All 11 rooms in the resort face the sunset. The ambiance and scenic views are more than enough to act as catalysts for passion in the place.

“Anyone who can prove that their baby was a product of West Cove romance will receive a complimentary three days and two nights stay in our hotel,” said Aquino.

SOURCE: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/228892/pacquiao-s-resort-rises-boracay