LAS VEGAS via YSA - Many attribute the Pambansang Kamao’s success to his tragic past. Some say he is victorious because of his faith. Others think it’s his family that keeps him on top of the game.
One of the simplest secrets of the People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao is his diet. No, he does not like fancy food or gourmet dishes. He likes simple Filipino recipes, with his favorite being Tinolang Manok.
Before he trains, he eats as much as eight cups of rice with Tinola, or ginger stewed chicken. Many cook Tinola the traditional way – sauteeing garlic, onion, and ginger in oil; adding pieces of chicken; and boiling it with broth, green papaya, and chili leaves. Pacquiao likes it boiled with no oil, and with the miracle vegetable malunggay.
The eight-division World Boxing Champion has also tried Tinolang Tagalog – which takes more time and ingredients to prepare. This is usually cooked using backyard chickens, since the chicken’s blood is needed for the recipe. Raw rice grains are put flat on a plate, then the chicken blood is poured over the rice, submerging it. When the blood on the rice coagulates after a few minutes, one-inch cubes would be cut from the mixture. These will be saved for later.
Garlic, onion, and ginger are sautéed, then chicken pieces are added. The blood cakes are laid on top of the chicken, covered, and boiled until the blood cakes are cooked. Then water and green papaya are added, seasoned with salt, and topped with dahon ng sili.
Pacquiao will definitely have this on his diet for his highly anticipated WBO Welterweight Title bout against World Boxing Organization Welterweight Champion Jessie Vargas on November 5, 2016 at Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Las Vegas, Nevada.
PHOTO CREDITS: CHRISTIAN CUNANAN, SPORTSMANILA CANADA
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