Pacquiao vs. Mayweather: Meet Gail from the Bronx, who'll sing the Philippines' anthem

MEET 19-YEAR OLD Gail Banawis of the Bronx, New York. She will be singing the Philippine National Anthem at the Pacquiao-Mayweather extravaganza this May 2.

Gail Banawis meets her hero.

She will be accompanied by The Word Chorale, a group of singing pastors from General Santos City in the Philippines.

Banawis is studying speech pathology at Brooklyn College and has had extensive training in dance in its various forms: ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop. 

“I am going to be incredibly proud of this experience,” Banawis said In an interview with the Inquirer. “Being able to sing for the ‘People’s Champ’ has always been an aspiration of mine. 

"He brought light onto the identity of Filipinos all over the world. I remember having to explain what a Filipino is to people who are unfamiliar with the Philippines, but now, just mentioning that you’re Filipino, people automatically say, ‘Oh, like Pacquiao!’”

According to a report from 24 Oras published on Pep, Banawis said that Pacquiao personally told her that she will perform together with the Word Chorale. Gail has opened for a number of celebrities from the Philippines in their U.S. shows, including Gabby Concepcion, Billy Crawford, and K Brosas.

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