It will be a double celebration of sorts in Bacolod City today as boxing enthusiasts and local residents welcome Filipino boxing hero Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, who is expected to plane in at 10 a.m., together with Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, from Manila.
Leonardia, a personal friend of the 27-year-old sporting icon from General Santos City, will confer on Pacquiao, an adopted son of Bacolod, the “Dungganon nga Bacolodnon Award” in ceremonies that will follow shortly after a city-wide motorcade that will end at the City Hall grounds. The recognition that will be bestowed on the two-time World Boxing Council international super featherweight champion by the local government was formalized in an Executive Order issued by Leonardia yesterday.
Another Executive Order, signed by Leonardia, also declared “July 25, 2006 as Manny Pacquiao Day in Bacolod City to give ample opportunity for all Bacolodnon to celebrate, rejoice, appreciate and value the visit of a boxing champion, a sports legend and hero, and the homecoming of Bacolod’s adopted son.
Such declaration, the mayor said, is to recognize and affirm Pacquiao’s efforts to promote national unity and harmony in place of political dissension and strife. It is also to acknowledge and give tribute to the boxing legend’s magnificent triumphs and achievements as well as his “contribution to the uplift of morale and boost of the Filipino spirit and pride in the midst of difficulties that our nation is going through”.
Pacquiao, Leonardia added, “emulates the values of valor , self-discipline and perseverance, boldness of spirit, and faith in the Almighty.” The boxer’s visit to Bacolod is his first since defeating on July 2 Oscar Larios of Mexico at the Araneta Coliseum.
The motorcade will start from the Casino Filipino Hotel at Goldenfields going through the streets of Araneta, Lizares Avenue, Amelia, Hernaez, Mabini, Galo, Hilado, Burgos and Lopez Jaena.
From Lopez Jaena, the motorcade will proceed to the streets of San Juan, Gonzaga, Gatuslao, Luzuriaga, Locsin, Gonzaga, Gatuslao, Hernaez and Araneta.
The motorcade will be welcomed by nine school bands at the City Hall, where Pacquiao will be given recognition.
Also joining Pacquiao and Leonardia during the motorcade are the different sponsors of the Filipino boxer.
Pacquiao is set to take on Mexican hero Erik Morales in their third and, probably, last fight on Nov. 18 in Las Vegas. *CIT
