Boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, who arrived home yesterday to a rousing welcome, called on the Filipino people to unite for the sake of the country’s peace and harmony.
Pacquiao made the call during a hero’s welcome prepared for him in Malaca?ang where supporters and fans, including President Arroyo and some Cabinet members, warmly received him.
“Maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, sa inyong suporta. Sana lagi tayong magkakaisa, may laban o wala,” Pacquiao shouted to the cheers of the people who stood in front of the Kalayaan Hall just before he left the Palace ground. (“Thank you all for your support. May we always be united, with or without a fight.”)
Malaca?ang employes stopped their work just to take a glimpse of the visiting Pacquiao. The People’s Champ went to the Palace for a courtesy call on the President.
Outside the Palace, thousands lined the streets to cheer Pacquiao on his triumphant return after defeating Mexican rival Erik Morales.
Pacquiao, (41-3-1, 32 knockouts) stopped Morales with a flurry of punches in the 10th round of their 12-round WBC super featherweight title eliminator at Las Vegas on Saturday to avenge his defeat to the same fighter 10 months ago.
During a brief meeting at the Music Room, the President congratulated Pacquiao for bringing honor and glory to the country with his 10th round victory over the three-time Mexican champion last Sunday.
“Manny, congratulations! Today is Pacquiao Day!” said the jubilant and enthusiastic President.
Among the officials present during the call were Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita, Press Secretary Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye Jr., Secretary Conrado Limcauco, Cabinet officer for Provincial Events (COPE); and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.
Pacquiao was accompanied by his wife, Jinky, parents Rosalio and Dionisia and the rest of the Pacquiao team – Wilson Tieng, Buboy Fernandez, William Tieng, Wakee Salud, Jimrex Jaca and Jayke Joson.
The President sat with the People’s Champ and his family members for a conversation.
Executive Chef Babes Austria and the other Palace kitchen staff prepared a special food called “Pate Brisee” (chicken with wild mushroom, white wine and puppy seed) for Pacquiao and the President and the rest of the guests.
During the meeting, Pacquiao expressed his gratitude to the President and Vice President Noli de Castro for spearheading the country’s prayers and support in his latest fight against Morales.
Pacquiao waved to fans from a truck decked with Philippine flags and sporting two large red boxing gloves as his motorcade left Malaca?ang.
Confetti rained down as it inched its way through Binondo, while admirers waving small Philippine flags by the roadside chanted his name. A banner on another truck read, “The victory of Pacquiao is the victory of the Filipino.”
Pacquiao, who flew back to Manila from Los Angeles with his wife yesterday, was met at the airport by his two sons and mother. He was mobbed at the airport by fans who sought his autograph and posed for pictures with him.
“Now, my happiness is complete,” he said, referring to the family reunion after months of separation while he trained in the United States.
THRILLA IN MANILA II
The camp of Filipino boxing idol Manny “Pacman’ Pacquiao expressed optimism that the “Thrilla in Manila Part 2” would upstage the original Thrilla in Manila fight that had featured former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier a few decades ago at Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
During yesterday’s press conference at the Manila City Hall, Pacquiao’s handlers said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s boxing trainer, is planning to pursue Pacquiao’s next fight in Manila to be dubbed as “Thrilla in Manila Part 2”.
Pacquiao’s camp said the Home Box Office (HBO) estimated the cost of the Manila fight to be more than ::textbig million, including the price tag of bringing in the entire HBO crew and equipment in the Philippines.
Members of Team Pacquiao said they would insist that the next fight of Pacquiao would be held in Manila, this year.
During the hero’s welcome tendered by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Pacquiao said that he would fight anyone in the same weight category.
”Be it (Marco Antonio) Barrera or (Erik) Morales, I would be like a thorn stuck up their throat. Right now, I can fight anyone the promoters want me to box as long as in the same weight level,” said Pacquiao in Filipino.
Team Pacquiao members said they are optimistic that the boxing match in Manila will be a big hit judging from overwhelming response of advertisers during the recent Pacquiao fight with Morales.
Pacquiao’s next fight will most likely to be held in the middle of the year.
Meanwhile, Jimrex Jaca, who also won last Sunday (Manila time) in the Pacquiao-Morales undercard, was barred from attending the press conference at the Manila City Hall although he had an invitation.
Jaca claimed he was invited to attend the press conference but a woman employee of Mayor Atienza did not recognize him and did not allow him to join the press briefing.
Despite the shabby treatment, Jaca took everything in stride.
ANTI-COUP EMISSARY
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is considering the idea of sending the country’s current boxing sensation to some military camps and other units in order to boost the morale of the soldiers and eventually discourage them from joining attempts to divide the country.
Col. Tristan Kison, chief military information officer, said the government could capitalize on what he called as “Pacquiao Magic” in order to turn the boxing champion as a uniting force amid rumors of restiveness within the military and the destabilization plots being hatched by some political groups.
“This Pacquiao magic could be a cure or a starting ground for a country that is continuously seeking unity among its leaders and people,” said Kison in an interview.
Should the military entertained the idea, Pacquiao might be send first in some military camps in the Visayas and Mindanao where the recruitment for coup and destabilization efforts are high.
Kison stressed that if Pacquiao was able to make all the Filipino people cheer as one for his fight on Sunday against Eric Morales and eventually rejoice as one following his victory, his fete might as well be used in prodding the people and leaders to forget political differences and work as one to improve our political and economic condition.
“He (Pacquiao), himself, said that he is willing to fight everyday if that is what would make the country unite,” said Kison. (Aaron B. Recuenco)
BINAY FUMES
As the metropolis yesterday celebrated the return of the victorious Manny Pacquiao, Makati City was sulking over why the boxing champ’s motorcade skipped a traditional hero’s parade along Ayala Avenue.
Pointing an accusing finger, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay blamed the Palace for having deprived Makati residents, executives and employees the chance to honor Pacquiao with a ticker tape parade along Ayala Avenue.
Binay said that as early as Tuesday, the city government has been receiving inquiries from leading corporations on how they could participate in welcoming Pacquiao.
“Makati’s private sector, the biggest names in Philippine business, was ready at a moment’s notice to participate in this momentous event,” he said.
The mayor recounted that the city had honored Pacquiao by holding ticker tape parade along Ayala Avenue after winning over Marco Antonio Barrera on November 2003.
He explained that Ayala Avenue has been the traditional venue for ticker tape parades. (Jeffrey G. Damicog)
