(UPDATE) FILIPINO boxing champion Manny Pacquiao arrived in Manila from Los Angeles before dawn Friday and was mobbed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 by throngs of fans and media people. Pacquiao was with Jimrex Jaca, who knocked out Mexican Geronimo Hernandez in the first round during an undercard of the Pacquiao-Erik Morales rematch.
They arrived at 5:05 a.m. on board Philippine Airlines PR 103 via Honolulu, but were able to disembark from the plane only almost an hour later.
Pacquiao was met at the airport by his sons Emmanuel Jr., 5, and Michael Stephen,4, and his mother Dionisia. Pacquiao’s wife Jinky was with him in the flight.
Pacquiao immediately hugged and carried his two sons when he saw them at the immigration area of the airport.
The atmosphere at the airport was euphoric as the fans saw Pacquiao emerge from the airport. Many were shouting his name and cheering him.
Pacquiao was escorted not only by airport security personnel Print this story Send this story Write the editor Reprint this article View other stories
and police officers but also by politicians – Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson – who stuck close to him as TV news cameramen and photographers snapped photos of the returning boxing hero.
Pacquiao proceeded to the Hyatt Hotel where he is billetted. Meanwhile, a police officer collapsed at the airport apparently due to fatigue while waiting for Pacquiao’s arrival. The officer immediately recovered and was taken to an office in the airport where he rested.
In a live phone interview with GMA Network television at the airport, where his stay was much prolonged by people wanting to get his autograph and be photographed with him, Pacquiao expressed gratitude to his supporters and invited fans to his motorcade from the airport and to the public activities that were to follow.
The boxer hailed as a Philippine hero is scheduled to make a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malaca?ang this Friday, and a grand party is to be given for him at the Baywalk area in Manila in the evening. Nikko Dizon
