Another red carpet welcome is awaiting Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao when he returns home on Friday.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) officials are now preparing for the Pambansang Kamao?s (national fist) arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) where throngs of his fans are expected to welcome him.
Pacquiao awed the world with another outstanding performance at the Events Center of Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, beating Mexican boxer Marco Antonio Barrera in a 12 round unanimous decision last Sunday.
He will arrive via Philippine Airlines flight PR103 on Oct. 12.
MIAA general manager Alfonso Cusi is expected to lead the welcoming committee at the NAIA, where a grand welcome awaits the man who once again united Filipinos with his victory in the ring. Thousands were glued to movie screens and television sets in homes and public plazas, movie theaters, restaurants, carinderias and sports clubs all over the country.
Meanwhile, Manila City Hall officials are reportedly coordinating with the camp of Pacquiao as they begin preparations for his arrival.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim said he had instructed City Administrator Jesus Mari ?Jay? Marzan to coordinate with Pacquiao?s team and arrange a possible motorcade around the city.
?The motorcade is one way of giving him honor. We would give a warm welcome to Pacquiao who is an ?adopted son? of Manila,? said Lim.
It had been customary for Pacquiao to drop by the Manila City Hall during the incumbency of former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, who was one of Pacquiao?s most avid supporters.
Lim said he would like to continue this practice.
However, Lim said there would be changes in Pacquaio?s visit to city hall.
Lim said the public should have a longer viewing time of their idol, so he intends to erect a platform at the quadrangle and ask Pacquiao to stay longer before whisking him off to the Villegas Hall.
Unlike previous parades, where politicians often flank Pacquaio to get the much-needed exposure, the Mayor said he would not accompany the boxer and allow him to bask solo in his glory. ?I want him to savor exclusively his triumph.?
The local chief executive earlier admitted that he is a ?fan? of Pacquiao and although he campaigned for Arnold ?Ali? Atienza, his opponent in the mayoralty race, he was willing to give him a hero?s welcome.
Lim believed it would be ?petty? for Pacquiao to harbor ill feelings against him just because of their political differences.
?Even if he campaigned for another candidate, we would like to provide venues, such as gymnasiums and sports complex, for the people especially those who do not have television sets in their home to watch the fight. This would serve as entertainment,? Lim said.
Aside from the boxer?s close association with the Atienzas, a known political rival of Lim, the Mayor had also once ordered the demolition of several entertainment establishments along the bay walk area in Manila in the heat of his campaign to clear the area. One of the owners who was directly affected by the demolition was Pacquiao.
Lim explained they would have wanted to provide Manile?os with free showing of the ?Will to Win? fight between Barrera and Pacquiao, but tight financial situation prevented them from airing the fight at the several sports complexes and gymnasiums in the city.
In a statement, Lim?s chief of staff Ric de Guzman said Solar Sports Entertainment, which has the rights to the live telecast of the said fight, was charging the city government P400,000 for the show.
This prompted the city government not to pursue its application for the live telecast since they also have to consider the city?s sizeable debts and financial obligations.
As of press time, Pacquiao?s camp had not sent any word whether the returning boxing hero will visit the Manila city hall or not. ? Evelyn Macairan
