MANILA MAYOR Lito Atienza said yesterday that he plans to adopt as sons of Manila world boxing champions Brian Viloria and Rey Bautista.
Atienza made the announcement during a motorcade he organized for the two as well as for Manny Pacquiao prior to their courtesy call on President Arroyo.
For Pacquiao, the motorcade was his second in the city. The first was last Sept. 16, shortly after his arrival from Los Angeles.
According to the mayor, though Bautista is from Bohol, and Viloria, an Ilocano raised in Hawaii, they can still be considered as adopted sons of Manila like Pacquiao who hails from Mindanao but spent most of the training years as a young boxer in the city.
The festive homecoming for Pacquiao recently might have rocked the city but the combination of the three got a much bigger reception from adoring fans who lined the streets to cheer the boxers. It also helped that it did not rain as what happened when Pacquiao was honored and the motorcade was cut short.
After the courtesy call on President Arroyo, Atienza later presented the three champions a “Tagumpay Tribute’’ held at the Crowne Plaza Ballroom in Ortigas, Mandaluyong City.
