FILIPINO boxing hero Manny Pacquiao said on Friday that his next foe after knocking down Erik Morales is another Mexican fighter – Marco Antonio Barrera.
Pacquiao told President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this after welcoming him in Malaca?ang Friday. “Baka si (It might be) Barrera, by March,” he said, to which Arroyo replied “mag-ensayo kang muli (You should train again).”
Pacquiao was greeted by fans waving miniature Philippine flags upon his arrival and the Kalayaan Grounds inside the Palace compound. He was accompanied by his wife Jinky, mother Dionisia, and Manila Mayor Jose “Lito” Atienza Jr.
Arroyo congratulated Pacquiao and thanked him for continuing to give honor to the country.
Pacquiao, in turn, thanked his fans for their support. But he declined requests to sing saying he still has a sore throat. However, he promised to sing in a street party at the Baywalk in Roxas Boulevard Friday night.
Pacquiao arrived at 6 a.m. on board a Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight, heard mass at the jam-packed Quiapo Church, and held a press conference at the Manila City Hall before going to Malaca?ang.
Arroyo gave Pacquiao a special cake baked by Malaca?ang’s chefs headed by executive chef Babes Austria.
The cake is a rectangular fruitcake covered with white fondant icing with the black lettering “People’s Champ” in front. On top of the cake was a boxing ring with a glove standing in the middle made of chicken empanada with a Philippine flag at the base. The corners of the ring were made of bread sticks tied together with blue, red, and yellow strings to form the ropes.
Pacquiao held a motorcade around Manila after visiting Malaca?ang. He said he will go home to General Santos City on Monday.
He knocked down Mexican boxing champion Erik “El Terible” Morales in the third round of their 12-round bout in Las Vegas last Saturday (Sunday, Manila time).
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Pacquiao has “unified the people”. Asked if Pacquiao will be drafted for the administration’s political campaign next year, he said “We will not refuse any offers of assistance.”
Pacquiao said in a press conference at the Manila City Hall that he is not thinking of politics at this time and that he just wanted to celebrate with the people.
While Pacquiao was the recipient of all the admiration and attention, his mother Dionisia got all the bad luck.
Pacquiao’ mother got locked out of Quiapo Church because she was at the tail end of the entourage and apparently was not familiar with the motorcade handlers. She was able to get in through the side entrance.
During the courtesy call in Malaca?ang, Mrs. Pacquiao was squeezed and shoved by fans, journalist and her son’s escorts. Her foot still hurting from all the trampling and jostling, she also got left behind when the motorcade left the Palace compound. (JMR/Sunnex)
