Don't cry, Pacquiao children tell Manny and Jinkee

Together with countless Filipinos around the globe, the family of Philippine boxing icon and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, especially his wife Jinkee, who was at the fight ringside, could not help but cry when he lost by knockout to Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez on Sunday.

"Daddy, Mommy, don't cry," Pacquiao's youngest child, Queenie told her parents during an interview on Unang Hirit on December 10. Queenie along with her siblings Jimuel, Michael, and Princess were interviewed at their home, while their parents were being interviewed in Las Vegas.

Both Pacquiao and his wife, Jinkee, were unable to hold back tears as they recalled the loss.

Jinkee recalled her fear upon seeing her husband unable to get up. "Takot na nanginginig ako na hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari. Kasi nga, first time siya na nakita ko siyang ganun na medyo matagal na nakabangon. Siyempre 'pag boksingero, siyempre buhay yung nakataya sa kanila," Jinkee said.

Asked how she felt about Pacquiao still fighting, Jinkee said her husband already knows how she feels. "Alam naman ni Manny yung sagot ko sa ganyang mga tanong so siya na lang yung ano. Alam na niya kung ano yung hinihiling ko sa kanya," she said.

In the post-fight interview though, Pacquiao said he was ready to fight again.

Tearful, Jinkee apologized for being emotional. "Siyempre 'pag ano, asawa mo... kahit nga umaalis lang yung asawa mo, minsan hindi ka na makatulog kapag hindi siya makabalik," she said.

Asked to respond to Jinkee, Pacquiao declined, saying he, too, was close to tears. Instead, he thanked God and his fans who continue to support him. Pacquiao said that although he was okay, seeing others, especially his family, hurt by the loss was also painful for him.

"Ayoko lang kasi na nasasaktan yung pamilya ko. 'Yung mga tao na sumusuporta... gusto ko silang pasayahin at malungkot sila ngayon lahat. 'Yan ang trabaho ko, kailangan tanggapin kapag dumating yung panahon na talo. Pero yung makita ko sa mga tao yung reaksyon ng mga tao, mga Pilipino na maraming mga umiyak, lalo na yung pamilya ko umiiyak, nasasaktan ako," Pacquiao said, wiping away tears.

"Okay lang si Daddy," Pacquiao earlier reassured their son Michael during the interview. Pacquiao was cleared by the local hospital in Las Vegas to return to the Philippines on Wednesday, in time for Michael's birthday.

Jinkee said that they would always be behind Pacquiao. "Habang nandito pa ako para sa kanya, mga anak namin. Aalagaan namin siya," she said.  - AMD, GMA News