AFTER DAZZLING President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with his boxing prowess, Manny Pacquiao is making sure his main political patron gets to know his emerging talent — singing.
Conrado “Dodie” Limcauco, Cabinet officer for presidential events, said Malaca?ang expected Pacquiao to give Ms Arroyo a copy of his multi-platinum CD, “Para Sa’yo Ang Laban Na ‘to,” in their 9:30 a.m. meeting tomorrow in Malaca?ang.
The CD was produced by Star Records, a subsidiary of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., which aired the rematch between Pacquiao and Erik Morales, rated as the most watched television event in Philippine history by AGB Nielsen based on unofficial records.
Pacquiao’s CD has nine songs. Its jacket shows the boxer holding an acoustic guitar with his boxing gloves draped on his shoulder.
Limcauco said Ms Arroyo was looking forward to the meeting.
“We expect Manny Pacquiao and his family to meet the President … The meeting was mutually agreed upon. This is a call to the leader of the land from someone who is not shy about his fondness for the President,” said Limcauco in a phone interview.
Arrival at 4:30 a.m.
“It’s not an imposition on Pacquiao,” said Limcauco of criticisms that the President was capitalizing on Pacquiao’s phenomenal popularity to boost her rock-bottom ratings.
Limcauco said Ms Arroyo wanted to meet Pacquiao immediately after his plane lands.
“But Manny Pacquiao has to rest for some hours because he’d arrive in the early morning of Friday between 4:30 and 5 in the morning,” Limcauco said.
The meeting with the President will be open to the media. Limcauco said the boxer would also meet officials and staff of Malaca?ang on the Kalayaan grounds before proceeding to meet Manila Mayor Lito Atienza for the motorcade in the capital city.
Limcauco said Ms Arroyo and Pacquiao would meet again at the Rajah Sulayman Plaza in Malate district for the tribute to all outstanding Filipinos who emerged in the last 12 months.
“The President was the one who provided the inspiration for the program to pay tribute not only to Pacquiao but also to other Filipinos who made us proud,” said Limcauco.
Other honorees
The honorees include the Filipino athletes who won medals in the Southeast Asian Games and the Paralympics, Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman, fast-rising boxer Jimrex Jaca and Cristina “Tinay” Bugayong, the Grade 6 pupil who returned P300,000 in cash and checks she found near her home.
Atienza said the City of Manila was preparing for a “champion’s welcome” that included a ticker-tape parade. Organized by the Manila Sports Council, the welcome rites for Pacquiao carried the title “Tagumpay ng Pinoy.”
“Manny Pacquiao deserves another hero’s welcome for lifting the spirit and moral of the Filipino people,” Atienza said, adding that City Hall intended to exceed the warm welcome they last gave Pacquiao.
Following simple rites at the City Hall, Pacquiao will lead a motorcade that will take him to the streets of Manila to enable the residents to get a glimpse of the city’s adopted son. The Pacquiao entourage is also expected to be showered with confetti from his fans along the route of the motorcade.
Lettermen serenade
The caravan will pass through Escolta, the University Belt, Quezon Avenue, Aurora Boulevard and San Andres before proceeding to other activities prepared by the local government.
After the motorcade at around 4:30 p.m., Pacquiao is expected to attend the “Tribute to Pinoy Champions” at the Rajah Sulayman Park with a special appearance by the Lettermen, which is in the country for a series of shows. This will be followed by a street party dubbed as “Hataw Pacquiao Victory Party” at 7 p.m. at the same venue.
Traffic authorities announced that the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 3 p.m. while the southbound lane will be closed from 7 p.m.
