“Sometimes I don’t recognize myself,” Pacquiao said with a giggle. “It’s like, wow! It’s true what people are saying, I agree. If you compare me to the old Jinkee, especially when you look at my photos, there’s a big difference.”
The change has given birth to a new, more confident Jinkee Pacquiao. “Fearless,” the Belo campaign puts it.
Dressed in a fully beaded, strapless off-white herve leger bandage dresses (“worth $4,000,” volunteered her personal stylist), Miu Miu heels and at least 15 carats of white and yellow diamonds (“5, 5, 5,” she said, gesturing to her earrings and matching ring, appearing embarrassed), the former shrinking violet boldly faced a roomful of journalists at Makati Shangri-La’s Red restaurant on Tuesday.
Married to a world-famous athlete, Jinkee, 31, has gained public sympathy and approval for the grace with which she handles the controversies about her husband’s alleged infidelities. Like any woman, she used to cry over her marital woes, until the once meek and quiet Jinkee reached her tipping point.
“Ayoko nang magalit, gusto ko na lang magpaganda,” she had told Belo. That became her battlecry, and the ad campaign tagline when she was launched as endorser of Belo Medical Group two years ago. She turned the scandal to her advantage. If the best revenge is looking good, this former saleslady who married the boxer back when he was struggling did just that.
She reemerged on Edsa billboards lipo-ed, tightened and firmed up, youthful and just as desirable as the starlets being linked to her husband.
Jinkee was already a longtime paying patient of the clinic before Belo signed her up as endorser. Five years ago, according to Belo, she wanted to meet with Jinkee to convince her to be the face of the company. Jinkee was too shy to even meet with Belo. Then came the Krista Ranillo scandal; the sexy starlet was allegedly having an affair with the boxer. That was the last straw.
Jinkee had paid for her own liposuction procedures until two years ago, said Belo. The clinic only had to perform Bodytite, a skin-tightening procedure, on Jinkee’s arms, thighs and abs, especially after she lost 45 pounds. It was imperative on the abdominal area, as she has had four children. Everything else—her buttocks and bosom—is all Jinkee’s, said Belo.
