MANILA, Philippines?On the day he returned from his latest boxing conquest, the ?Pacman?s? schedule was as power-packed as his famed punches.
Manny Pacquiao asked Filipinos to ?forget politics,? bared plans to either make a movie or record an album, dispensed tips on how to save money, vowed to finish his studies, and shared his personal thanksgiving prayer.
He capped his homecoming with a visit to his No. 1 fan, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Cheers erupted, cameras flashed and media people milled around the champion when he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 at 4:43 a.m. Wednesday on Philippine Air Lines Flight 103.
?I?m happy to be back. I dedicate my victory to all Filipinos,? Pacquiao said of his underdog triumph on Sunday over Oscar ?Golden Boy? De La Hoya in Las Vegas.
?I?m proud to have given my country great honor. Thank you for all your support and prayers,? the ?People?s Champ? said as he stepped into the airport?s Presidential Lounge.
Wearing a cream-colored jacket and jeans, Pacquiao broke into a smile upon spotting his two sons, Jemuel and Michael. He hugged and kissed his sons.
His wife Jinkee had stayed behind because she is expected to give birth to their fourth child next month.
Flanked by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza and Deputy National Security Adviser Luis ?Chavit? Singson, Pacquiao was mobbed by his fans in the airport.
Public address system
He shook hands, gave thumbs-up signs and even posed for souvenir pictures. The boxer signed a few autographs but later declined to give anymore because of his aching right hand.
Pacquiao was led to a small stage at the lounge decorated by huge banners congratulating him for his victory. He spoke on a microphone connected to the airport?s public address system.
?Thank you for praying for my victory. To all my countrymen, my victory is yours. The Lord knows it, it?s in my heart. All of us Filipinos are proud of this boxing feat. Let us unite, forget politics and focus on how to improve our lives and how to improve our nation,? he said in Filipino.
Hours after returning from the United States, he visited the Quiapo church in Manila to hear Mass amid another throng of supporters welcoming him.
Pacquiao called his victory over De La Hoya ?a birthday wish come true.? Pacquiao turns 30 on Dec. 17.
Asked how he was able to defeat his opponent, he said: ?In those nine weeks [of training before the match], I was able to prepare well for his strategy. I was able to use what I learned during the training.?
He added that he observed that De La Hoya appeared to ?dislike? being punched on the torso.
Pacquiao said he also made his head a moving target so that his taller opponent would have a hard time returning punches.
Finish school
?Whenever he (De La Hoya) makes a jab or throws a straight punch on me, I really counter with an uppercut so that he could not punch back,? he said.
For more than half an hour, Pacquiao was interviewed over two morning television shows.
Pacquiao said he was not entertaining ideas about going to politics for the next five to six months, saying his priority is to rest and spend time with his loved ones and probably record a music album or make a movie.
He said he would continue his studies. ?I want to finish school. Boxing is different. It?s not meant for a lifetime,? he said.
The boxer also shared the prayer he made at the corner of his ring following his fight: ?I said, ?Lord, it?s You and not me. You?d let me won. You helped me that?s why I won. That?s why You?re the first I have to thank. It all comes from You. I thank You.??
Don?t spend unnecessarily
The boxer shared a tip on how to spend amid the global financial crisis: ?When you don?t need to, don?t spend. Always think if the things you?re spending on has a purpose or if it?s your family who would benefit. Avoid vices, the money for them could be used to buy rice.?
From the airport, Pacquiao?s convoy reached the Renaissance Hotel in Makati City at around 6 a.m., where he had breakfast with his sons and friends before taking a 30-minute rest.
Pacquiao then proceeded to the church of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo for a thanksgiving Mass.
Defender of the faith
His supporters, mostly vendors from the area, chanted his name and gathered at the church entrance to salute him.
A special Mass was officiated by Fr. Benjamin Ledesma, who hailed Pacquiao as ?defender of the faith,? as he noted that the boxer would start and end each fight with a prayer.
As Pacquiao left the church for Malaca?ang, more waves of cheering erupted from the streets.
Motorists stopped to greet him, choking traffic. Everyone with a cell phone camera took snapshots of the man.
Some fans were heard asking him for ?balato? (tip) from his multimillion dollar winnings.
