THE christening of the baby daughter of Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee with the unusual name of Queen Elizabeth or “Queenie,” is clearly an event fit for a queen.

The roster of godparents, who were reportedly handpicked by Pacquiao, reflects a cross-section of his friends in politics, the military, show business and the media.

The christening will be held at the Church of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Pacquiao and wife Jinkee’s hometown of General Santos City at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

There are 32 gentlemen and 16 ladies, who will make up the list, headed by Vice President Noli de Castro, Pacquiao’s close friend Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Alexander Yano, Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, his constant companion during his fights in Las Vegas, as well as occasional partner and cockfighting aficionado, assistant national security adviser and former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, a collection of senators, headed by former Senate president Manuel Villar and a leader in the House of Representatives, Rep. Monico Puentevella, as well as chairman Ephraim Genuino of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

The intriguing question that surfaces in a cursory reading of the list of godparents is the inclusion of ABS-CBN’s influential TV anchorman and dzMM radio host and commentator Korina Sanchez, with whom Pacquiao had some major differences following the last congressional elections when he lost to incumbent Darlene Antonino Custodio in a bid for the congressional seat in General Santos.

Equally surprising is the non-inclusion of TV sports anchor and widely known reporter/commentator Dyan Castilljo, whose extensive pre- and post-fight coverage of Pacquiao and all his major activities, have won commendation for their fairness and quality.

One Team Pacquiao insider, who didn’t wish to be quoted, told Standard Today that it was definitely an oversight, while close friend and confidant Rex “Wakee” Salud, who is among the Team Pacquiao members among the godparents, along with Pacquiao’s business manager Eric Pineda and his wife Macy, said he was surprised that the veteran sportscaster was not included.

Ironicaly, Castillejo will fly to GenSan after covering the Gerry Peñalosa-German Meraz fight in Cebu tonight to chronicle the christening early the following morning.

The addition of another ABS-CBN TV/radio anchor Alex Santos and political affairs lawyer and longtime passionate boxing fan Romeo Macalintal as godparents provides a clue to Pacquiao’s political intentions, since he has made it clear in more than one occasion in the past that he wants to run for public office to help the poor in particular.

GMA-7, where his fights are telecast, in cooperation with Solar Sports, which has the Philippine rights and where Pacquiao now has a TV show with Robin Padilla, is also well represented with top executives Wilma Galvante and Redgie Magno, among others, as well as Annette Gozon.

The ladies are headed by Senator Loren Legarda. Among her colleagues from the Senate, who have been chosen as godparents are Senators Villar, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla, who are both popular showbiz personalities, along with Senators Francis Escudero, Miguel Zubiri and Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan. Another movie and TV star among the godparents is Phillip Salvador.

The daughter of big businessman John Gokongwei, Robina Gokongwei Pe, is joined by other well-known personalities, among them Lilia Pineda, Annabelle Rama, Dr. Vicky Belo and Bing Atienza.

Sarangani’s youthful Gov. Miguel Dominguez is also among the godparents, together with ex-Mayor Alfonso Singcoy.

The list reads like a veritable who’s who in the following order: Vice President Noli de Castro, Gen. Alexander Yano, Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, Senators Manny Villar, Jinggoy Estrada, Francis Escudero, Ramon Revilla Jr., Miguel Zubiri, Gregorio Honasan and Loren Legarda, assistant National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson, Rep. Monico Puentevella, Gov. Miguel Dominguez, Fiscal Benny Nicdao, lawyers Romeo Macalintal, Rommel Agan, Tomas Falgui II, Giovanni Mata, Orlando Salatandre Jr., former Mayor Alfonso Singcoy, Enrico Pineda, Rex “Wakee” Salud, Alexander Santos, Paulo Duterte, Charlie Ang, Phillip Salvador, Dr. Jose Herrera Jr., Melquiedes Robles, Antonio Albano, Johnny Domino, Jason Strong, Orville Roque, Wilma Galvante, Korina Sanchez, Redgie Magno, Annette Gozon, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Dr. Vicky Belo, Bing Atienza, Macy Pineda, Regina Bagsic, Lilia Pineda, Olive Soriano, Margie Kho, Annabelle Rama, Trisha Versoza and Joanne Ramos. Ronnie Nathanielsz