Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

HOLLYWOOD – It’s another first for Manny Pacquiao.

The pound-4-pound king became the first Filipino athlete to be featured in a major billboard in Los Angeles.

Nike, a Pacquiao sponsor, has featured the Filipino boxing hero on a billboard campaign promoting its AW77 hood sweatshirt.

The towering billboard located on top of the Nike Montalban Theater in Hollywood on Selma Ave. and Vine St. shows Pacquiao wearing a grey and teal blue hooded sweater with a scowl on his face.

"For him to be on an actual billboard that’s a big statement," said Anthony Nguyen, a passerby. "Manny Pacquiao is the man. He’s the hero of the Philippines. Everyone loves him over here in America and I think it’s good timing especially with the fight coming up soon."

"I just twittered it because I want all my friends to see it," he added.

Nike Spokesperson Rachel Buenviaje said they’ve received a positive response from the local Filipino community since the billboard went up last weekend.

Alex Rotodo, an events promoter from San Francisco, recently visited the billboard and took photos of it.

He said for Nike to put Pacquiao’s face on a billboard on a major street speaks highly of the Filipinos buying power.

"Here I am walking in Hollywood along the sidewalk of stars and I look up and I see Manny’s billboard," said Rotodo. "He’s the biggest star in the Philippines and what this billboard shows is not only is Manny like the hugest icon but shows the marketing power of the Filipino community."

"They [Nike] believe in our buying power just like Gatorade and the Jabbawockeez," added Rotodo.

Pacquiao is still training in Baguio, Philippines. Pacquiao will face Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico at the MGM Grand on November 14 in Las Vegas.

It’s not known whether Pacquiao has seen the billboard but it is located only a few blocks away from the Wildcard Boxing Gym, where he trains in Los Angeles. n