"What we do in life echoes in eternity."

"What we do in life echoes in eternity." This was the qoute that summed up Manny Pacquiao speech during acceptance of his award as athlete of the decade at the event 10th Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Annual Memorial Awards-Banquet of Champions. During the event he even stood up and gave envelop to wheelchair bound Zeta Celestino Oliveros Gorres or Z "The Dream" Gorres. A humble act for a sports icon and hero like him.

For full story see story below courtesy of Ringside with Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao pays it forward

By By Izah Morales, Yahoo! Southeast Asia Friday March 26, 2010 06:44 pm PHT

Everyone looks up to him as their hero, their own personal idol. Everyone wants to have their photo taken with him. He was feted like a rock star at the 10th Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Annual Memorial Awards-Banquet of Champions.

But in spite of being surrounded by fans, Manny Pacquiao stood up from his table and approached Zeta Celestino Oliveros Gorres or Z "The Dream" Gorres, who collapsed after his victory against Colombian Luis Melendez in November 2009.

Pacquiao chatted with the wheelchair-bound Gorres for a few minutes before handing him an envelope and quietly returned to his table to continue signing autographs for fans who lined up to get some one-on-one time with this living legend.

"Masaya ako at nakabalik na si Z-Gorres dito sa Pilipinas. Naniniwala ako na ang Pilipinong boksingero ay matibay, malakas at matatag, [I'm happy that Z Gorres is back here in the Philippines. I have faith that Filipino boxers are strong.]" said Pacquiao, who was awarded as Boxer of the Decade on March 25, 2010, incidentally the 25th death anniversary of Hall of Famer Gabriel "Flash" Elorde.

In his thanksgiving speech Pacquiao said, "We all desire to have a sense of meaning, a sense of purpose, a sense of contribution. We all desire to leave a legacy."

"Isang napakalaking karangalan ang iginawad nyo sa akin ngayong gabi. Ito'y hindi ko makakalimutan habang ako'y nabubuhay, [You have bestowed a great honor upon me tonight. Something I will never forget for as long as I live.]," he added.

Pacquiao told Yahoo! Southeast Asia that he wanted to pay it forward through supporting Filipino boxers.

"May mga boksingero akong hawak ngayon. Tinutulungan ko sila sa promotional company ko, ‘yung MP promotions. Tinutulungan natin silang lumaban sa abroad, sa Amerika, [I'm helping young boxers through my promotional company called MP promotions, which paves the way for them to fight outside the Philippines.]" said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao recognized other boxers' effort who brought honor to the country.

"Sa bawat laban ko, ang aking hangad ay makapagbigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa. Hindi lamang ako kung, hindi lahat ng boksingero ngayon dito ay nakapagbigay ng karangalan, [In every fight, I strive to bring honor to the country. All the boxers present here this evening have given honor to the country.]" said Pacquiao.

Courtesy of Ringside of Manny Pacquiao