He came home like a victorious Ceasar.
Hundreds of thousands of jubilant Filipinos yesterday greeted World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao during a motorcade along the streets of Manila shortly after his arrival following his victory over Mexican Erik “El Terible” Morales last weekend in Las Vegas.
Fans who lined up the route of the ticker-tape parade cheered and showered Pacquiao with confetti as they welcomed him back to the City of Manila where he spent most of his training years as a boxer.
The prized athlete, who was wearing a black Stetson cowboy hat, planed in at about 5:30 a.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on board Philippine Airlines Flight 103 from Los Angeles. He was accompanied by his wife Jinky and Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Singson.
An airport crowd composed of his family and hordes of fans, as well as officials led by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Manila Sports Council (MASCO) chairman Ali Atienza and Rep. Miles Roces greeted the world boxing champion as he emerged from the Centennial Terminal 2.
From the airport, Pacquiao proceeded to the historic Manila Hotel where he took a brief rest and ate breakfast before attending a Thanksgiving Mass at Quiapo Church.
From the church, the 27-year-old boxing champ and his entourage proceeded to the Bulwagang Villegas at the Manila City Hall where he held a press conference.
It has been Pacquiao?s tradition to visit City Hall and pay a courtesy call on Atienza before and after a big fight.
Aside from thanking the entire Filipino people for their continuous support and prayers, Pacquiao also took the opportunity to convey his gratitude to the city government for their plan to construct a monument in his honor.
The monument will be placed at Manila?s famed Baywalk along Roxas Boulevard.
When pressed about his reported plans to join politics, Pacquiao said he has never thought of running for public office and all he wanted was to celebrate his victory with the Filipino people.
“Wala pa sa isip ko yung mga ganyang bagay. Ang nasa isip ko ay to celebrate ang pagkapanalo ng Pilipinas, hindi lang ang pagkapanalo ko, kung di ng sambayanang Pilipinas,” Pacquiao said.
After the press conference, the Atienzas accompanied Pacquiao to Malaca?ang for a courtesy call on President Arroyo.
Then, they went back to the Manila City Hall for the scheduled motorcade around the city.
The parade passed through Jones Bridge, Escolta St., Plaza Sta. Cruz, Road 10, Tayuman St. and Nagtahan bridge before ending at the Manila Zoo.
Last night, Pacquiao attended a victory party hosted and organized by the Manila city government at Raja Sulayman Park. The grand event featured top performers plus special numbers by Pacquiao himself. (with reports by Anjo Perez and Louie Perez)
GMA hosts welcome party for champion boxer
By DAVID CAGAHASTIAN
President Arroyo yesterday joined the country in welcoming Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao after his new victory against Mexican rival Erik Morales in Las Vegas, Nevada, last Sunday.
Mrs. Arroyo led other government officials, like Vice President Noli de Castro and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, in hosting a welcome party for Pacquiao whose new victory was earlier praised by the President for the honor and prestige it has brought anew to the country.
Mrs. Arroyo thanked Pacquiao for offering his new victory to the Filipino people and for rallying the country towards a common cause whenever he sets out to the boxing ring for a fight.
After the ceremonies, Pacquiao proceeded to other scheduled activities planned in honor of his new victory over Morales, including a motorcade to allow fans in Manila to have a glimpse of him.
Meanwhile, a number of political analysts and leaders in the sports world said yesterday Pacquiao should forego any plan to join the political arena and just focus on his boxing career and help young Filipino boxers.
Pacquiao, 27, of Mindanao and Visayas, has reached the apex of boxing prominence, they said.
Aside from Manila and General Santos City, Pacquiao could set up boxing training centers elsewhere in the country to help young Filipino boxers take off to professionalism and success, they said.
During the press conference at City Hall, Pacquiao answered several questions regarding the dispute between his promoters, his showbiz career and his controversial entry into the political arena.
Pacquiao said that the most valuable gift Manila can give him is the plan to put up a statue in his honor at the Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard.
“Ang pinaka-espesyal na regalong natanggap ko mula sa Maynila na hindi ko makakalimutan kahit mawala na ako sa mundo ay yung estatwang itatayo para sa akin,” he said.
Like his answers to inquiries about politics, Pacquiao, who has recorded a hit song entitled “Para Sa Iyo,” disclosed that he has no plans for a showbiz career since he is still focused on boxing.
The singer-boxer said, “Depende kung ano ang patutunguhan diyan sa showbiz. Basta lagi kong priority ang boxing dahil diyan tayo nabigyan ng pangalan.” (with reports by Natalie Jane Malayo and Yul Malicse)
