A HERO’S WELCOME AWAITS Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao when he arrives Monday morning following a masterful 12-round conquest of Ghanaian Joshua Clottey in Arlington, Texas, last March 13.
The world’s pound-for-pound king will issue a short arrival statement at the PAL Centennial II terminal before proceeding to New World Hotel for breakfast and a brief rest.
Pacquiao, who retained his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown against Clottey, will then pay his patron, former Environment Secretary and Manila mayoral candidate Lito Atienza, a short visit in San Andres Bukid.
From there, Pacquiao will proceed to Quiapo Church for a thanksgiving Mass to be held at 9 a.m.
Pacquiao and his entourage next proceeds to Malacanang to pay a courtesy call on President Macapagal-Arroyo.
From the Palace, a motorcade starting at the historic Mendiola bridge and that will take Pacquiao around the streets of Manila, follows.
From Mendiola, the motorcade will pass through Legarda, Bustillos, Sampaloc Market, S.H. Loyola, Trabaho Market, Plaza Noli, Matimyas, Blumentritt, Dapiotan, Lacson, Yuseco, Raxabago, Juan Luna, Pritil, Moriones, R 10, Zaragoza, Delpan , Anda Circle, Cabildo , Victoria, Gen. Luna, Maria Orosa, T.M. Kalaw, Taft Avenue, Pedro Gil, Paco Market and Sta. Ana Market.
Pacquiao is also expected to hold a press conference launching the Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta partylist, which he chairs, according to his chief of staff Jake Joson.
Like his previous motorcades after every bout, thousands of people are expected to wait along the route to greet and cheer the only boxer to hold seven crowns in as many divisions.
