MANILA, Philippines — Imagine what a knockout can do.
Showing that he could have the best of both worlds, the people’s champ returned home to a triumphal welcome Tuesday and proudly claimed some of those who had criticized him for entering politics were now on his side.
“Nagbaliktaran na nga iba e (They have turned around),” Manny Pacquiao told reporters at Malaca?ang Palace, where even President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo basked in his glory, presenting him with a special 18” x 16” cake topped with a replica of a boxing glove.
From the Palace, Pacquiao rode in a six-hour motorcade through Manila, engulfed by the cheering of thousands of residents — their excitement matched only by the avidity of some Manila politicians to stand beside him, hoping the publicity would boost their election chances.
Not only did Pacquiao’s fists knock the wits out of Mexican Jorge Solis in their fight in San Antonio, Texas, last weekend. They may have also swayed some people into supporting his bid to challenge opposition Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio for the congressional seat of the General Santos City-South Cotabato district — based, at least, on some comments from Internet bloggers.
“Manny has given everything to us,” one fan wrote in Filipino at the website www.mannypacquiao.ph. “It’s now time for us to help him by campaigning and voting for him. God Bless, Manny. I know you will win because you’re sincere and God-fearing.”
Some of the bloggers said Pacquiao’s heart was solely meant to help the poor.
Others were unconvinced.
“I’m Pacfan, but i will not vote for him,” wrote one blogger. “ … I can even put a banner on my fence saying that ‘I’m a Pacfan but I will not vote for him.’”
One blogger appeared to be willing to accept Pacquiao as a governor or mayor, but never as a congressman.
Pacquiao told reporters he was determined more than ever to gun for a congressional seat and was anxious to “momentarily set aside boxing … (and) concentrate on a different battle” come May 14.
Asked who was a tougher opponent between Solis and Custodio, Pacquiao said: “Regarding my political fight, it’s the people who will decide and choose … the leader who can give progress to our district.”
In a 10-minute closed-door meeting, Ms Arroyo congratulated both Pacquiao and World Boxing Council youth super bantamweight champion Bernabe Concepcion for their victories in Texas.
She compared Pacquiao’s ring feat to her husband’s successful battle against his dissecting aneurysm heart ailment.
“Like all Filipinos, Pacquiao’s victory raised the morale of his friend, Atty. Mike (Arroyo). Friends close to the First Family continue to pray and hope that the boxer’s victory is a fitting metaphor for Atty. Mike’s own battle for a speedy recovery and good health,” she said.
Ms Arroyo gave the two boxers an undisclosed amount as rewards.
Manile?os on Tuesday turned Manila into a virtual “Manny-la” as thousands of them braved the heat and poured into the streets to get a glimpse of their idol.
Kids on the streets joined in singing Pacquiao’s signature song, “Laban Ko, Laban Mo,” which blared from a vehicle in front of the slow-moving truck carrying the champion –proving that “Manny’s magic” was very much alive.
Shirtless men waved furiously to get their pictures taken while women screamed “Idol! Idol!”
The 28-year-old boxing king, in a long-sleeved pink polo and khaki pants, waved and smiled from the truck throughout the punishing motorcade, without taking a seat or even lunch.
He was only seen guzzling bottled water from time to time. Later, an umbrella opened up over his head.
The victory motorcade, however, also looked like an electoral campaign as candidates for councilors and congressmen squeezed themselves in the main truck, which already had Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, his son and mayoral candidate Ali, and Vice Mayor Don Bagatsing on a raised platform.
Employees left their work or postponed their lunches to see Pacquiao as the motorcade rolled off from the Manila City Hall, to Chinatown, to the slums of Tondo, and other districts before ending at the Manila Zoo.
The crowds in some places, particularly in commercial areas, were visibly smaller compared to those that greeted Pacquiao in November after he vanquished Mexico’s Erik Morales in the United States.
“It’s because students who, in the past, were summoned by the city government to join in welcoming Pacquiao, were on vacation,” one City Hall employee told the Inquirer.
In the slums of Tondo, people stood on rooftops, toting expensive digital cameras and handy cams to take pictures of the superstar.
Pacquiao flew in at around 4:30 a.m.
He was accompanied by his team of handlers wearing blue baseball caps emblazoned with the sign: “Pacman Congressman.”
The General Santos City government has prepared a hero’s welcome, including a motorcade, for Pacquiao but the champion’s camp said they had their own plans.
Pacquiao’s adviser Franklin Gacal Jr. said the champion would ride not on the city government’s float but on his own, which was prepared by his supporters. With reports from Tarra Quismundo and Aquiles Z. Zonio, Inquirer Mindanao
