KORONADAL CITY ? General Santos City is all set to welcome its pride, World Boxing Council superfeather weight champion Manny Pacquiao, who is set to arrive Tuesday.
?Everything is ready. We are just waiting for the button to be pushed for the arrival of Manny Pacquiao,? Jose Aponesto, officer-in-charge of the General Santos City Information Office, told The Philippine Star.
Aponesto said they have already prepared a parade for their hometown hero even before Pacquiao?s actual ring fight with Mexican boxer Marco Antonio Barrera.
Pacquiao decisioned Barrera at their 12-round fight in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Oct. 7.
With his recent victory, Pacquiao improved his records to 44 wins, three losses and two draws.
?He is truly a great son of General Santos City. Giving him a hero?s welcome is a concrete gesture of the city in recognizing his efforts of bringing fame not only to the city but to the entire nation,? Aponesto said.
The city has already done a hero?s welcome for Pacquiao before who is considered by fellow Gensanons as a ?gift? of the city to the boxing world.
The General Santos City Police Office has reportedly assigned policemen along the streets, where Pacquiao?s entourage will pass to maintain law and order and to supervise vehicular traffic, which is expected to swarm starting early morning today when Pacquiao sets foot on the city?s international airport in Barangay Fatima.
A reliable source told The STAR that Pacquiao will hold his victory party tonight in Malungon town in Sarangani province, where his best friend Mayor Bongbong Constantino will also give him a simple hero?s welcome there.
With a report from Philippine Star reporter Ramil Bajo
