Inspired by the hat created by Master Hatter, Mark Mejia, for Legendary Boxer MANNY PAQUIAO

Order "El Presidente" now

Baron Hats has created headwear for a vast sector of the Entertainment community, so it’s always wonderful to find new outlets. And now, to add to Celebrities, Motion Pictures, TV, Music, Broadway, etc., we add: Professional Boxing! This came about earlier this year when Baron’s Master Hatter/Owner Mark Mejia was called in to create a custom hat for the greatest legend to ever come out of the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao. This was an extra special honor for Mark since he grew up with many Filipino's in his neighborhood, and established life long friendships, and in fact, speaks Tagalog himself.

 
Of course we all know Pacquiao as the world’s greatest boxer, but to call him just a great boxer is like calling Leonardo da Vinci just a great sketch artist! Pacquiao is the true Renaissance Man in ever aspect of that term. That is why he goes by many beloved nicknames, including“Pac-Man”, ”The Fighting Pride of the Philippines”, “The Destroyer”, “The People's Champ”, “Pambansang Kamao (National Fist)” and even “The Fighting Congressman”. He has, of course, shown an astonishing performance in the ring, but Pacquiao is also an accomplished actor, writer, composure, music recoding artist, not to mention a Congressman, (having recently been elected to the House of Representatives in the 15th Congress of the Philippines, representing the province of Sarangani)!

But yes, most of us know him as the record-breaking boxer. Born Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, he is the first eight-division world champion, having won ten world titles, and the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000’s by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). He is also a three-time The Ring and BWAA "Fighter of the Year", winning the award in 2006, 2008, and 2009.

Currently, Pacquiao is the WBO Welterweight World Champion (Super Champion). He is also currently rated as the "number one" best boxer in the world by most sporting news and boxing websites, including The Ring, BoxRec.com, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, NBC Sports, Yahoo! Sports, Sporting Life and About.com.

Mark’s meetings with Pacquiao to get his measurements for his specially requested Panama is a story onto itself (see photo to the left of Mark measuring Pacquiao's head with his special "conformature"). Having to go to his “hideout” in Hollywood, which is one of the great “well known secrets”, Mark had to wade through hundreds of adoring fans outside, and all of “Pacquiao’s People” inside.

He has so little time, that Mark literally had to measure Pacquiao during the only time it seems that he actually sits down, which is to eat one of his more than six meals a day! In fact, Pacquiao eats so intensely that at one time, Mark’s tape measure found itself dangling in Pacquiao’s rice bowl and almost became part of his meal!
 

In honor of Mark’s cherished friendship with one of his heroes, Baron has created the “El Presidente” a Teardrop Semi-Colado, made of the highest quality straws, which are hand-woven by top quality craftsmen. Since each body is custom hand-woven to order by weavers that Mark personally goes to Ecuador to choose, they have the unique quality of creating the much sought after “random pattern” design which gives each crown the dramatic “grilling” effect. Each body will be its own work of art, having its own one-of-a-kind singular pattering. Once you order the "El Presidente", the special body will be custom hand-woven to order for you, then the body will be shipped to Baron's world headquarters in Burbank, Ca, and Mark will personally hand block it and do all the finishing work to your size and specifications.

Each “El Presidente” will also come with a personally matched grosgrain ribbon hatband, a special fabric sweatband, our Lifetime Guarantee, and a signed and numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

We call this very special hat the “El Presidente” for the simple fact that we believe there isn’t anything Pacquiao can not do, or accomplish in his lifetime. And we truly believe that soon, the even bigger title  of "El Presidente" ("The President”) will be bestowed upon him by the people of his most beloved native country at the ballot box! And when that great day comes, we’d love to create a very special hat for the inauguration!