A STREAMER was in place, the media ready with cameras and pens, and excited crowds filled city hall as early as 9:30 a.m. yesterday as Para?aque City got ready to welcome its newly adopted son, super featherweight boxing champ Manny Pacquiao.
But it turned out to be a three-hour waiting game for the boxer’s fans.
“Maybe he was caught in traffic,” said one employee in Filipino, who took a break to get a glimpse of Pacquiao. Another joked that the boxer was late because he probably came all the way from General Santos City, his hometown.
A city council had passed a resolution this year, adopting the popular boxing figure as a son of the city. “His exemplary qualities and outstanding achievements in boxing and his well-known commitment to promote the sport among the youth would make Pacquiao a fine member of the citizenry,” the resolution said.
Pacquiao showed up in black sunglasses, dark blue polo shirt and jeans, three hours later than the scheduled program, and apologized for his delay. He said his wife had forgotten to tell him about his appointment, adding that he had just finished shooting a movie at dawn yesterday.
Mayor Florencio Bernabe and city councilors welcomed Pacquiao at noon yesterday.
“I am very thankful that you have accepted me wholeheartedly in Para?aque City,” Pacquiao said. “I hope for your continuous support so I could continue making Para?aque and our country proud,” he said. Para?aque is the second city, after Manila, to adopt the boxing champion. Manila adopted Pacquiao in August 2003.
The boxer also owns property in the city and is currently building a house in Barangay BF.
