MANILA, Philippines ? Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is reinventing himself outside the boxing ring, not as a politician but as a music man.
Shortly after his arrival from the US yesterday, Pacquiao enthusiastically promoted his newly released album but refused to comment on his reported plans to run for Congress in the 2010 elections.
Despite the long journey across the Pacific, Pacquiao looked fresh and was raring to go. He was wearing his now trademark Fedora hat, dark shirt, gray jacket and blue jeans.
Pacquiao invited his fans and supporters to the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City where he sang songs from his new CD, ?Ang Lahing Pinoy.? The boxing champion also announced plans to do a movie.
?Let?s not talk about politics here,? Pacquiao told reporters upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) yesterday morning.
The boxing champion belted out three songs ? ?Bilog ang mundo,? ?Para sa iyo ang laban na ito? and ?Pilipino ang lahi ko,? the fighting song that played as he walked into the ring for his match against Briton Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas last Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila).
Pacquiao said he recorded some of his songs with his band while they were in Los Angeles.
Pacquiao also sang ?I?ll Never Cry? by American rock star Alice Cooper that was a hit before the boxer was born.
Pacquiao cracked jokes that had his audience roaring with laughter.
At one point, he told the audience that anyone who knew the lyrics of his song would be given a ?balato? or prize from earnings in the last fight ? but courtesy of Hatton.
His wife Jinky and two sons Michael and Jimwell joined him on stage, and the boxer/musician gave Jinky a bouquet as an advance Mother?s Day gift.
Pacquiao was assisted in the 30-minute concert by GMA-7 talents, singer Ogie Alcasid and actress Pauleen Luna. Alcasid is one of the co-hosts of the variety show ?SOP? and mainstay of the ?Bubble Gang? comedy show, while Luna is one of the emcees of the daily TV noontime show ?Eat Bulaga.?
Pacquiao has a regular TV show ?Pinoy Records? with basketball player Chris Tiu on GMA Channel 7.
Network president Felipe Gozon said Pacquiao would appear in one of the station?s popular TV soap dramas ?Totoy Bato? with action star Robin Padilla who plays a boxer.
?Wrong advice?
Pacquiao returned to a hero?s welcome yesterday despite government appeals for him to postpone his homecoming over fears he could spread the A(H1N1) flu virus.
Pacquiao justified his homecoming and refusal to self-quarantine.
?It?s a wrong advice,? Pacquiao said of the suggestions of Philippine health officials, acting on the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO).
?I decided to go home than stay in LA because of the great possibility that I might get infected there if I stay longer.?
Pacquiao said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III warned that the A(H1N1) virus is spreading fast in Los Angeles.
?This only means he (Duque) wanted me to stay and take the risk of getting sick there in LA while I would stay healthy here in Manila,? Pacquiao told reporters at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City.
The ?Pacman? had been told that President Arroyo, who has pledged a city-wide parade and a national holiday to celebrate his victory, would not give him an audience at Malaca?ang before next week.
Pacquiao said he is unfazed by the A(H1NI) influenza virus.
?Because of the large number of people visiting me in LA for pictures and autographs, there is a great risk of us getting contaminated so it?s more dangerous for me and my team. It was better for us to come home,? he said.
The Philippines has so far remained free of the virus that has killed more than 40 people and infected more than 2,300 others worldwide.
Pacquiao said he went through the thermal scanner just like any other arriving passenger and passed the screening. Doctors at the airport cleared him after a five-minute medical briefing.
?The doctors at the airport cleared all of us since we have no infection. We are all healthy so why is it that they have to quarantine us?? Pacquiao asked.
?It is my honor to make our country proud. It is for the Filipino?s honor in any corner of the world. Once again, we can hold our heads high. I?m so happy to bring honor to our country,? Pacquiao said in Filipino.
?I?m so happy to be with my family, my kids,? Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao shook hands with almost everybody who came near him, and after the press conference at NAIA, he took the VIP exit and headed for The Renaissance Hotel in Makati where a huge crowd welcomed him with flowers and confetti.
Pacquiao carried his baby girl Princess with him up to his room in the hotel.
After breakfast Pacquiao proceeded to the Quiapo Church in Manila for a thanksgiving Mass.
From Quiapo, Pacquiao motored to the DENR office in Quezon City, surprising employees and supporters who were caught unprepared to welcome the boxer in grand style.
Pacquiao donated P100,000 to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) to complete the special cage that would house a pair of Philippine eagles at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center (NAPWNC) in Quezon City.
Pacquiao said he was happy that he arrived home even after the planned the motorcade for his honor was called off. ?It was okay. It was warm,? he said. ? With Abac Cordero, Katherine Adraneda, Rudy Santos, Sandy Araneta, Delon Porcalla, Ramil Bajo
