MANILA, Philippines?Dionisia Pacquiao simply refuses to be outdone by her world-famous son.

In a media gathering on Thursday, Mommy Dionisia sang an Imelda Papin hit (written by Levi Celerio) to match the singing endeavors of boxing champion Manny ?The Pacman,? who recently appeared on the American late-night talk show ?Jimmy Kimmel Live!? He performed the Dan Hill original, ?Sometimes When We Touch.?

The ?Pacmom? sang ?Dalawa Kaming Api? a cappella at the press con for her debut movie, ?Ang Tanging Pamilya: A Marry-Go-Round.?

Dionisia said she hopes to perform soon with Papin, dubbed Pinoy Jukebox Queen, who is now based in Nevada, USA. ?Matagal ko nang idol si Imelda Papin. Buhay pa ba s?ya?? Dionisia asked a group of entertainment reporters.

Dionisia leaves for Las Vegas on Nov. 11 to watch her son?s fight with Puerto Rican boxer Jesus Manuel Cotto scheduled on Nov. 14.

The 60-year-old Pacmom arrived at the press con an hour-and-a-half later than the prescribed time, dressed in a turquoise top and a pair of white pants. She gamely answered questions about work, her family, and how tough it is to deal with her newfound celebrity.

Are you now well-adjusted to your new lifestyle?

Sanay na ako. Sikat na talaga eh, star na star. Hindi ko na maitago ...

What?s more challenging, being poor or being rich like you are now?

Mas mahirap ngayon kasi nakakatakot. Dati kaya ko maglakad sa labas ng mag-isa, ngayon hindi na pwede. May death threats ako kaya apat na ang bodyguards ko sa Gen San. ?Di ko alam saan galing ang threat. Tumawag lang si Manny, dagdagan daw ang guards ko.

Baka naman manliligaw mo lang ?yan.

?Di ko naman pinapansin ?yan. Ang focus ko ay ang career ko.

You?ve long been separated with Manny?s father. Are you ready to fall in love again?

Ang love ko ay para sa mga anak ko at sa fans. Sila ang nagpapalakas ng loob ko.

What if somebody courts you?

Matagal nang mayroon. ?Di dapat pinapansin ang mga ?yan. Ayaw ko na nga sa asawa ko, hahanap pa ng iba? Bahala na mawalan ng love life, ?wag lang pera ang mawala sa akin.

Do you go shopping a lot?

?Di pwedeng palagi na lang shopping. Yung naipon ko sa apat na endorsements ko binili ko ng dalawang lote. Pinatayuan ni Manny ng bahay. Tumutulong ako sa mga anak ko. Anim sila. Yung apo ko sa panganay may sakit sa puso ...

Who?s your show biz crush?

Ang paborito ko talaga ay si Jericho (Rosales)...

Did being an actress ever cross your mind when you were younger?

?Di ko naisip ?yun pero sa palagay ko dahil talented ako sa pagkanta at pagsayaw, ang Panginoon ang naglagay sa akin dito. Para daw masaya ako at para busy ang isip ko.

?Ang Tanging Pamilya: A Marry-Go-Round,? also features former President Joseph Estrada and Ai Ai de las Alas. Directed by Wenn Deramas, it premieres in local theaters on Nov. 11.

Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph