THE CITY of Manila opened its doors and rolled out the red carpet yesterday for three boxing champions led by Manny Pacquiao.
Red, white and blue confetti rained down as Pacquiao, together with Brian Viloria and Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, came and were cheered by hundreds of cheering fans.
Following simple rites at City Hall, the boxers led a motorcade that took them through the streets of Manila, allowing residents to catch a glimpse of the ring stars whose victories were a welcome break for a nation mired in political turmoil.
The motorcade passed through major streets in Tondo, Carriedo and Divisoria before proceeding to Malaca?ang, where the three had an audience with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Pacquiao, 26, an adopted son of the city, starred in the Sept. 11 world boxing event called “Double Trouble” where he defeated Mexican Hector Velasquez in six rounds.
In the undercard of Pacquiao’s big night, Bautista and Viloria scored sensational knockouts.
19-year-old Bautista stopped Felix Flores in the third round to stay undefeated in 16 bouts. He is the reigning World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion.
Hawaiian punch
Viloria, called the “Hawaiian Punch,” became the new World Boxing Council light flyweight king after knocking out defending champion Eric Ortiz in the first round.
Before Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman paid her courtesy call, Ms Arroyo met with Pacquiao, Bautista and Viloria.
The red carpet was rolled out for the three boxers who were congratulated by the President on a makeshift stage put up at the Kalayaan Hall grounds in Malaca?ang.
“Manny won after six rounds, Boom Boom after three rounds while Brian, after one round only,” the President said.
Pagulayan, too
She also congratulated Filipino-Canadian Alex Pagulayan for being the US Open Billiards champion.
Ms Arroyo said the five Filipinos were the reason Filipinos were being regarded highly in the world.
The three boxing stars said they did not realize how much the ring victories they had achieved meant to their fellow Filipinos.
“I am so proud to be a Filipino. I am so honored to be part of the three people who, somehow, even for an hour or two, have become an instrument in creating peace in the country,” Viloria said.
Pacquiao reiterated his call for unity as he expressed gratitude to the Filipino people for supporting him all the way.
“Salamat sa dasal para manalo ako. Sana tuluyan nang magkaisa ang mga Pilipino. Alay ko sa bansa ang pagkapanalo ko. (Thank you for the prayers for my victory. I hope Filipinos can unite. I offer my victory to the people.),” he said.
Mayor Lito Atienza, who led city officials in honoring the three boxing idols, said the trio’s victories provided Filipinos with a welcome respite from the country’s political crisis.
“They were like a breeze in the face. Their victories gave us respite from political hatred,” Atienza said. With a report from Christine O. Avenda?o
