Actor Mark Wahlberg joins Pacquiao well-wishers

MANILA, Philippines – Yet another American celebrity dropped by Manny Pacquiao's training camp as Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg appeared on Tuesday at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. Wahlberg, who starred in Rock Star and The Italian Job among other movies, went to the Wild Card on the same day NBA All-star forward David West of the New Orleans Hornets paid Pacquiao a visit. In the early part of training this month, 80's icon Mickey Rourke was also at the gym to see Pacquiao. The celebrities were just a few of Pacquiao's well-wishers. On the eve of Thanksgiving Day, fans flocked the cramped gym and spilled out onto the Wild Card carpark area hoping to get a glimpse of Pacquiao. It's safe to say the closed-door training plan is out of the window. RP-based press people who have regularly covered Pacquiao fights in the US admitted the attention Pacquiao is getting now has reached an unbelievable height. "The response is just different. It was never like this before," said Manila Bulletin sportswriter Nick Giongco, who has covered all Pacquiao fights since his debut in 2001. Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson, a confidante of Pacquiao, also made a quick visit on Wednesday. He was also interviewed by the HBO crew for the Pacquiao-Oscar de la Hoya 24/7 special. After training for more than two hours, Pacquiao spent time signing autographs and taking pictures with his fans. He exited through the Wild Card backdoor and later joined several of his visitors for a dinner at a nearby Thai restaurant. Before going home at his posh Palazzo apartment at Park La Brea, Pacquiao again obliged a few more autograph seekers who, notwithstanding the slight drizzle and biting weather, waited for him outside of the restaurant. - GMANews.TV