UFC chief helps quake victims

MANILA,Philippines — Barely hours after Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s prayer for the earthquake victims in Mindanao, help came from thousands of miles away.

“I’m donating $10K (P500,000),” said UFC  (Ultimate Fighting Championship)president Dana White yesterday over his Twitter account with over 5.1 million followers.

White’s generous response to Pacquiao’s call for help for victims of #mindanaoearthquake elicited positive comments from netizens, mostly Filipinos.

“Thank you. We are from Mindanao and we thank you,” said one.

“God bless you. Thank you so much, Dana. My family is in Mindanao and the combined poverty and the severity of the quakes has just been beyond devastation,” said another.

The Irish-American, who turned the UFC into a multibillion-dollar enterprise, is known for his generosity, once donating $50,000 for the  liver transplant of the daughter of an MMA (mixed martial arts) instructor in Thailand.

Pacquiao, the eight-division boxing champion from Mindanao, posted on social media the other day, saying: “Seeing my people hurt after multiple severe earthquakes is heartbreaking.”

“We will be sending relief goods to those affected. Please consider helping us with a small donation (through pacquiaofoundation.org) to multiply our efforts,” said the 40-year-old global superstar.

Pacquiao’s Instagram post drew offers of support and prayers from his followers from as far as Santiago in Chile, Mexico, Dubai and the United States.

“Big hugs for your people, from Santiago, Chile,” said one of Pacquiao’s followers.

The senator’s plea for help did not fall on deaf ears.