It might have rained on his parade, but the weather hardly dampened the enthusiasm of thousands of fans who celebrated the return of Manny Pacquiao yesterday with a ticker tape welcome that hailed him as the “People?s Champion.”
In a motorcade that crawled for nearly six hours, fans blocked roads, filled overpasses, waved from buildings in an outpouring of rupturous welcome for the former bakery helper from General Santos City who gripped the nation with a stunning 10th round technical knockout victory over Mexican legend Erik Morales Sunday morning.
Traffic jams were the order of the day as vehicles got stranded along the route of the parade that began at the Manila City Hall at 10 a.m. and ended past 4 p.m. in front of a Quezon City television station where organizers decided to end it so Pacquiao could meet another obligation.
All the way, it was pandemonium.
Parents brought out their small sons and daughters, jeepney drivers stopped plying, office workers waved from buildings and employees of food establishments along the route left their posts, joined by their clients, and people from all walks of life jammed the streets for a glimpse of the boxing hero.
For sure, nothing like it has been seen in Metro Manila in years.
“Mabuhay ka Manny,” they shouted, waving flags, blowing kisses. Manny obliged by waving back, smiling, grinning, thanking them and eliciting roars of approval each time. “Manny, Manny, Manny,” the people chanted.
Although just arrived from a body-sapping 16hour flight from Los Angeles and already toasted for days by Filipino-Americans in Las Vegas and LA, Pacquiao showed no signs of exhaustion, obviously energized by the outpouring of affection.
He arrived in darkness, in the early morning hours yesterday, and was met at the airport by his mother Dionisia, and two sons, Emmanuel and Michael.
After resting a few hours at the Hyatt Hotel in Manila, he proceeded to the Manila City Hall where his day began with brief remarks to employees and fans, and then went to Malaca?ang where he expressed his gratitude to President Arroyo for her support.
As expected, city hall transactions stood still as employees gave the champ what amounted to a riotous welcome. As if a portent of things that await him, discipline was thrown out the window as people jockeyed for position to get as near as possible to Pacquiao, even boxing out Manila Mayor Lito Atienza who had to struggle to get to the podium to preside over the brief press conference during which a few political questions were jabbed at the boxer.
Are you willing to endorse Charter change, one asked. Can he say something about the current state of affairs, another chimed in. Can you comment about restiveness in the military, said another.
Pacquiao avoided making answers, ducking the questions deftly as he did eluding Morales?s punches.
“No comment. Wala munang politics, sports muna tayo ngayon,” he said.
He was also asked if he would support his sons if they chose to be boxers like him.
He said he would not encourage his children to pursue his craft, but if they decide to be boxers “I will support them.”
As the crowd became unruly, security was tightened, preventing other personalities to enter the building.
One of those barred was boxer Jimrex Jaca who figured in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Morales fight that saw him demolish his rival in the first round of their 8-round non-title appetizer.
Although security men tried to correct the situation by looking for Jaca, the fighter was already gone. But he took the “snub” in stride, acknowledging his face is not as familiar as Manny?s.
“OK lang para naman talaga kay Manny ?to e. Andaming tao kaya hindi na lang ako nagpumilit umakyat,” he said.
Jaca, however, was in the lead float that wove its way around Manila and Quezon City, along with Mayor Lito Atienza, his son, Ali, son-in-law Rep. Miles Roces and other city politicians who many said should not have been in the float.
“Masaya na ako na makasama sa parada. First time ko makasama sa ganito sa Manila, kasi taga-Cebu ako. Hindi naman masama ang loob ko,” Jaca said.
The parade nearly grounded to a halt at Jones Bridge as people blocked both sides. It was that way for the rest of the route as the float moved at a snail?s pace particularly in areas where the streets are narrow such as those in Sta. Cruz and Chinatown and Tondo district.
After breezing by Del Pan, Zaragosa and R-10 in Tondo, the motorcade again slowed in Moriones as private vehicles tried to join the motorcade.
Marshalls shooed them away.
A few tried to throw shirts to the float to get them signed, while others remained content with waving placards. One read, “Manny idol ka namin! Balato naman!”
When Pacquiao?s motorcade reached Laong Laan, Blumentritt and finally towards Espa?a, a drizzle started to pour. But the crowd stayed and the cheering continued.
Scheduled to end at 4 p.m., the motorcade, was already behind schedule as they barely made it past Quezon Avenue and back towards Sgt. Esquerra and finally to Timog, near GMA in Kamuning, QC.
The motorcade however was delayed along Timog, as the crowd again blocked the road. At this juncture, rain was falling hard. But no one left for cover.
In front of the GMA network center, a “Ati-Atihan” dancers welcomed Pacquiao who made a brief stop at the station.
It was a nifty move by the network who tried to outdo rival ABS-CBN who flew in Pacquiao?s mother and two sons in a private jet and billeted them at the Hyatt.
Palace cheers Pacquiao?s triumphant return
By GENALYN D. KABILING
President Arroyo yesterday joined thousands of Filipinos in cheering the triumphant return of boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, even surprising him with a mini-concert and a special pastry treat.
The President paid tribute to Pacquiao for bringing glory to the country as well as uniting Filipinos when he beat Mexican rival Erik Morales in Las Vegas last week in two separate homecoming parties for him.
In a rare display of her singing prowess, the President gamely sang two songs alongside with Pacquiao during his homecoming party at the Rajah Sulayman Park in Manila last night.
With prepared lyrics on hand, a cheerful Mrs. Arroyo sang with Pacquiao his new song “Para sa yo,” which he popularized shortly before his bout against Morales, at a makeshift stage. The President, sporting a safari vest over a black shirt, also gamely sang some phrases in the hit song “Pinoy Ako” along with Pacquiao, singer Sarah Geronimo, and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.
Pacquiao?s rare duet with the President was on top of the special “Pacquiao empanadas” and the promise to support his advocacy for retired boxers he received from the chief executive early in the day.
At past 9 am, the President feted a hero?s welcome for Pacquiao in Malaca?ang just hours after he arrived in Manila from his stirring victory against Morales.
“Manny, congratulations! Today is Pacquiao day!,” the President greeted the boxing hero upon his arrival at the Palace Music Room. Pacquiao, fondly called the People?s Champion, was accompanied by his wife and parents.
Mrs. Arroyo, beaming with pride, offered a breakfast of chicken empanadas shaped like boxing gloves to Pacquiao during his courtesy call, eliciting gratitude from the surprised boxer.
“I know you have not had the chance to eat properly in the plane so we prepared breakfast,” she remarked.
Executive Chef Babes Austria and the entire presidential kitchen staff prepared plates of Pate Brisee, a stuffed chicken and wild mushroom in white wine reduction topped with poppy seed, in tribute to the world champion.
In their short conversation, Pacquiao thanked the President and Vice President Noli de Castro for spearheading the country?s prayers and support in his recent bout against Morales. Pacquiao also told the President he plans to take a rest for the next few weeks at his hometown in General Santos City after he completes the autographs of stacks of pictures and mementos for his supporters.
In Para?aque City, Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. and residents yesterday joined the nation in congratulating the WBC super featherweight champion and “adopted son of Para?aque” Pacquiao for his TKO victory over Eric Morales in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“The city of Para?aque congratulates the city?s adopted son on his recent victory which has given not only this city, but the entire country something to be proud of,” Bernabe said.
Bernabe also reaffirmed that the city will always support Pacquiao in his future matches, citing his strength, courage, discipline, and deep faith in God, which inspire the people of Para?aque, especially the youth.
The Sangguniang Panglunsod passed last Jan. 24 Resolution 361, authored by Councilor Rico Golez, commending Pacquiao for his victory in Las Vegas. (with a report by Jean Fernando)
