Did Jinkee Pacquiao see it coming? Despite seeming happy and settled in her Good Housekeeping cover story just last July, the reluctant celebrity wife of the record-breaking boxer shared some nagging fears about her husband’s wandering ways. Here’s an excerpt from her interview with Good Housekeeping Editor in Chief Jing Lejano:
“Any story about Jinkee would not be complete without touching on her husband’s allegedly dallying ways with women. Since last year’s big hullabaloo about Manny allegedly giving extravagant gifts to a paramour, things have been quiet. Manny, it seems, has focused on his sport, the result of which is his historic win last May.
So, good boy na ba si Manny ngayon? We ask her.
Jinkee says, ‘So far,’ then gives out a great big laugh. She seems very realistic that though they may be going through happy times, it can change at any moment.
So, masaya na? Wala nang intriga?
‘Ummm, wala pa.’ She continues, “Hindi ko alam. Hindi naman ako nag-eexpect pero, wala. Naisip nya na siguro at narealize niya na yung mga bata lumalaki na at naiintindihan nila. Pero nag-usap na kami dati pa na ayoko yung mga anak ko na may naririnig sila or ma-hurt sila sa kung anong naririnig nila. Yung pinaka-importante, ayoko yung lumaki yung mga anak ko ganun.’”
Now the dreaded issue has reared its ugly head, in the form of controversial footage and reports that Manny is having an affair with Krista Ranillo, actor Matt Ranillo’s daughter. Images of a tearful Jinkee at the Thanksgiving mass following Pacman’s fight have been aired on GMA's 24 Oras and ABS-CBN's TV Patrol and are currently making the rounds of the net, along with a YouTube video of Manny and an unknown woman hurriedly leaving the studio after his Jimmy Kimmel guest appearance. Manny’s shell-shocked “No comment” response to a point-blank question about his relationship with Krista added fuel to the already-raging flames.
If the Good Housekeeping interview is anything to go by, Jinkee won’t be suffering in silence for long. The issue is sure to come to a head soon enough. Jinkee seems to be as tough as her husband, at least in dealing with emotional matters:
“Jinkee has also changed the way she deals with problems and intrigues.
‘Kino-confront ko si Manny agad kung totoo o hindi. Dati, hindi ako ganoon. Lahat kinikimkim ko.
‘Tapos, kailangan ma-solve agad ang problema. Tsaka, mahirap, hindi ako makatulog sa gabi. Lagi kang mainisin kaya kailangan ayusin mo agad. Tsaka mag-isip ng ibang bagay na tumawa ka, sumaya ka.
‘Ako pa naman, kapag may dinidibdib na problema, talagang dinidibdib ko. Lagi akong galit. Tapos sabi ko, naku, ayoko ng ganun. Makikita sa mukha ko, lagi akong galit. Minsan, napapagalitan ko sila (the kids). Natuto na ko. Mas tumapang ako. Basta gusto ko, alagaan ko yung sarili ko para sa mga anak ko.’”
The whole country will be watching her—and rooting for her, if the discussions on our own forums are any indication of public sentiment—confront and solve this particular problem. We hope she comes out unscathed.
(Flashbox photo courtesy of PEP.ph; photo of Jinkee courtesy of Good Housekeeping)
