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CEBU CITY MAYOR Tomas Osmeña said building a statue at the South Road Properties (SRP) for Manny Pacquiao isn?t quite enough to honor the Filipino boxing hero who just won a record seventh world title.
Instead, Osmeña, a self-confessed Pacman fan, thinks a museum at the SRP would be more fitting for Pacquiao.
Pacquiao bagged his seventh world title in as many weight divisions after beating Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto Sunday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Osmeña said the planned museum will feature Pacquiao memorabilia dating back to when he was still a school boy in the province leading up to his current status as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.
?The city will treat this as purely a commercial venture. He [Pacquiao] will get a percentage of whatever it generates so that at least he will get a regular source of income,? explained Osmeña.
The project should be a joint venture with Pacquiao since the ring idol will produce his own memorabilia and sell souvenir items.
Osmeña said before he proceeds with the plan, he still has to discuss this with Pacquiao.
The mayor is eyeing a portion of the SRP?s Welcome Hill for the planned museum.
He said the museum will not only attracttourists but also raise the value of the property adjacent to the lot.
Osmeña also plans to feature Cebuano heroes like Flash Elorde in the museum.
The city is expected to spend P100 million for the museum.
?We can spend P100 million for this. Anyway, it can pay for itself,? Osmeña said referring to the possible increase of the land value of the adjacent property.
Meanwhile Osmeña also agreed to help Pacquiao's American coach Freddie Roach if he wants to become a Filipino. The mayor said should he be elected to congress in the 2010 elections, he can sponsor a bill that will help Roach become a Filipino citizen.
