Jinkee: I draw my strength from prayers

Jinkee Pacquaio thinks something good can still come out from what seems to be truly devastating.

She believes her husband Manny Pacquaio’s defeat to Juan Manuel Marquez in their Las Vegas bout could be a learning experience for their children, Emmanuel Jr. "Jimuel", Michael, Princess  and Queen Elizabeth or "Queenie.

[Related: Manny Believes Time Is On His Side; Forgives Bieber]

Young as they are, Jinkee said their children can learn the value of sportsmanship from their dad.

“Matutunan nila ang kahalagahan ng pagtanggap ng pagkatalo,” she said in-between breaks at the show GMA 7 held at the Mall of Asia Music Hall to welcome Manny back.

More relaxed

Jinkee looked more relaxed as she and her children sat in the front row of the venue.  Gone was the crushed look which saw her slumped on a sofa, her head buried on the armrest while Manny  sat beside her to comfort her after the fight.

She seems to be hoping against hope that Manny won’t return to the boxing ring.

“Pag-uusapan pa naman (ng pamilya) yon,” Jinkee replied when asked what she would do  once Manny wears his boxing gloves again months from now.

[More: Pacman Dips In Pound-For-Pound Rankings]

On stage, however, Manny announced that his wife would abide by his decision.

How does she cope with this, and crisis upon crisis upon crisis that could crush a lesser mortal?

“I draw my strength from prayers,” Jinkee answered.

She doesn’t want to recall her marital woes.

“Tapos na yon,” she explains.

Now that her family needs her more than ever, Jinkee knows what she has to do.

“Kailangan kong alagaan sila.”

Inner strength

Taking care of the family, she explains,  also means being emotionally strong for them.
Thus, her advice to wives facing problems with their family is short but compelling.

“Be strong,” she says.

Meanwhile, the youngest child, Queenie, is oblivious to what her parents are going through.  The four-year-old girl has prepared a gift her dad can’t resist when he turns34 on Monday, Dec. 17.

[More: Pacman Moved By Hero's Welcome]

“I’ll give him a kiss,” Queenie beams before mounting the stage again to join her dad.

As for Jinkee,  it’s enough that “marami na akong naibigay sa kanya.”   The most precious gifts are something money can’t buy: love.

“We’re just here to love and support you,” Jinkee tells Manny as they stand side-by-side on stage while colorful confetti rains down on them and Kapuso stars Regine Velasquez, Rachelle Anne Go,  Julie Ann San Jose, La Diva and host Butch Francisco.

Manny’s boxing career may not be forever.  But his loving family is there for keeps.  This, more than anything else, is  the greatest treasure he could ever have.