Sports legends Pacquiao, Yao Ming join First Lady's sports day
Sports icons Manny Pacquiao and Yao Ming took part in the sports day First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos hosted for the youth in Malacañang on Saturday, April 29.
*SPORTS DAY -- First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos takes a selfie with the kids who joined the sports day she hosted in Malacañang on April 29, 2023. (Liza Marcos / Facebook)*
Based on the photos the First Lady shared on her Facebook on Sunday morning, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil, and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian were also present at the event. In a Facebook post, President Marcos took pride in his wife's event. "Upang makapaghatid ng ligaya sa mga kabataan, isang masayang Sports Day sa Malacañang ang inihandog ng ating First Lady Liza Marcos (To bring joy to the youth, our First Lady Liza Marcos hosted a fun Sports Day in Malacañang)!" he said. "Nagsilbi rin itong pagkakataon upang makapaglibang at makapagpahinga ang mga kabataang nakilahok sa aktibidad (This served as an opportunity to allow the kids to have fun, relax, and join in the different activities)." he added. Photos from the President's post showed the NBA legend Yao Ming and former Senator Manny Pacquiao handing out bags to children. The boxing icon also handed a signed boxing glove to Marcos. Vice President Sara Duterte also mingled with the kids who participated in the event. The First Lady's sports day came after members of the FIBA Central Board and delegates from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) paid a courtesy call on President Marcos in Malacañang on April 28. During the event, [Marcos said that the government would support all the endeavors of FIBA's Central committee as the country hosts the much-awaited sporting event in August](https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/29/like-father-like-son-marcos-excited-to-reenact-dad-s-1978-jumpball-toss-for-fiba-world-cup-2023). This is the Philippines' second hosting of the FIBA World Cup since 1978.
*SPORTS DAY -- First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos takes a selfie with the kids who joined the sports day she hosted in Malacañang on April 29, 2023. (Liza Marcos / Facebook)*
Based on the photos the First Lady shared on her Facebook on Sunday morning, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil, and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian were also present at the event. In a Facebook post, President Marcos took pride in his wife's event. "Upang makapaghatid ng ligaya sa mga kabataan, isang masayang Sports Day sa Malacañang ang inihandog ng ating First Lady Liza Marcos (To bring joy to the youth, our First Lady Liza Marcos hosted a fun Sports Day in Malacañang)!" he said. "Nagsilbi rin itong pagkakataon upang makapaglibang at makapagpahinga ang mga kabataang nakilahok sa aktibidad (This served as an opportunity to allow the kids to have fun, relax, and join in the different activities)." he added. Photos from the President's post showed the NBA legend Yao Ming and former Senator Manny Pacquiao handing out bags to children. The boxing icon also handed a signed boxing glove to Marcos. Vice President Sara Duterte also mingled with the kids who participated in the event. The First Lady's sports day came after members of the FIBA Central Board and delegates from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) paid a courtesy call on President Marcos in Malacañang on April 28. During the event, [Marcos said that the government would support all the endeavors of FIBA's Central committee as the country hosts the much-awaited sporting event in August](https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/29/like-father-like-son-marcos-excited-to-reenact-dad-s-1978-jumpball-toss-for-fiba-world-cup-2023). This is the Philippines' second hosting of the FIBA World Cup since 1978.