Manny Pacquiao ? yes, this conquering hero the Filipinos love to talk about in exchange for ugly politics ? returns to his beloved country today, bringing honor and profit after snatching the coveted World Boxing Council super-featherweight title at the hands of a no-nonsense Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico a few days aback.
The 29-year-old fighter from General Santos City, whose name has become a byword in the world of boxing like the legendary Pancho Villa of the early 1920s, won by split decision over the Mexican titlist in a classic battle at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas in Nevada state last March 15.
Pacquiao thus becane the Asia?s first ever three-time world division champion, and the appreciative Filipino people are expected to give mean fighter a hero?s welcome the moment he sets foot at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Centennial 2) early this morning.
Along with wife Jinkee, close family friends, supporters and trainers Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri, Pacquiao will be arriving just before 5 a.m. aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR 103 from Los Angeles, California.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza, a long-time family friend of the boxing hero, and NAIA general manager Al Cusi, are among those likely to lead the red carpet welcome for the new 130-pound king.
His three children ? Emmanuel Jr., Michael Stephen and Divine Grace ? whom he hadn?t personally seen since leaving for L.A. two months ago to start a rigorous eight-week training for his mega-buck rematch with Marquez, will also be on hand to greet their father at the airport, afterwhich Pacquiao will have a very busy day.
GMA-7, the TV Network that chronicled his his fight, will also cover live Pacquiao’s arrival and his subsequent iteneraries today, and the scheduled motorcade the next day in five cities of Metro Manila.
A few hours later, Pacquiao will attend mass in Quiapo Church before facing the mediamen in a press conference at the GMA Network Center.
Five Metro Manila cities will actually welcome newly-crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight champion with a tickertape parade tomorrow to celebrate his victory over thje Mexican fighter.
Eric Pineda of Team Pacquiao announced the long route, which is expected to take almost the whole morning and afternoon of Tuesday, and will cover major routes in Manila, Pasig, Makati, Pasay and Quezon City.
?Our champion wants to cover as much part of Metro Manila,? Pineda said. ?He could not wait to see his fans after his big triumph over Marquez last week. It?s where Manny?s heart is, with his fans and he could not wait to mingle with them. He worked hard for his victory, for his fans and the country.?
Pacquiao will also pay a courtesy call to President Arroyo in Malacanang early in the afternoon today. It was Mrs. Arroyo?s call which Pacquiao received just minutes after his victory over Marquez at the Mandalay Bay.
The next day’s motorcade (March 25), which will start at 9 a.m. at the DENR head office in Quezon City, will pass through main thoroughfares in the metropolis, including Visayas Avenue, Espana Boulevard, Lacson St., Tayuman St., Sande (Pritil Market), Mariones St., R10, Delpan bridge going to Roxas Boulevard before going to Taft Avenue via TM Kalaw St. From Taft, the motorcade will turn right to P. Ocampo St. (Vito Cruz), passing through FB Harrison St., Buendia Ave. and finally at Ayala Avenue, before winding up at Makati Avenue.
