True to his new calling as the fastest fist in the East, Manny Pacquiao emerged from the Philippine Airlines flight from Los Angeles wearing a cowboy hat alongside a bright smile to thunderous cheers from a crowd led by Manila?s first family who apparently holds the franchise for Pacquiao?s welcome rights. (Eat your heart out, Jojo Binay)
Pandemonium is probably a tame word to describe what transpired immediately after.
The boxing hero was swarmed with all kinds of microphone with the nation?s leading television stations practically shoving their implements down the throat of the besieged boxer.
If you thought the Pacquiao-Morales rubbermatch was a do-or-die encounter, you should see the ABS-CBN-GMA7 setto at the airport, at the Manila Hotel, in Quiapo, in Malaca?ang and during the parade.
These two TV stations obviously are ready to go the extra mile, or do whatever it takes to “kill” the other.
ABS had the more aggressive reporters. Their female airport and Manila Hotel correspondents were truly feisty, leaving GMA7?s male reps looking like timid and shy adversaries. Audio-wise it was ABS-CBN but video wise, GMA?s cameraman had the more intimate shots of the fighter on arrival at the airport and at the Manila Hotel. Quiapo was virtually ABS? territory.
ABS also shots during the plane ride home as its correspondent Dyan Castillejo cozied up to the boxer with a short interview and some shots having joined the fighter?s entourage on the way home.
Chino Trinidad of GMA7 was not to be denied, too. He was also on the same flight and had shots at the pre-departure area and at the plane?s cabin where there was a never-ending line of well-wishers.
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Though security was tight, it was obvious many people were able to get close to the action. The closest being the Atienzas whom Pacquiao acknowledged as “like family.”
“Para ko na silang pamilya, at turing na rin nila akong parang anak,” he said something to this effect.
Sure, he?s like family, but the way the Atienzas exploited the boxer by putting Ali on the boxer?s right and son-in-law Rep. Miles Roces on the left side during the parade, smacks of unbridled opportunism.
Ali is being groomed to carry the Atienza name in the coming elections while Roces is seeking reelection in Manila?s third district which happens to be where the parade route conveniently passed. Ha, ha, ha what a happy coincidence.
Quiapo was bedlam, too. Forget solemnity in this house of God. But it?s not a surprise. The annual St. Nino parade during the Quiapo fiesta is celebrated with a fervor that borders on the sacrilegious.
If you wonder why Pacquiao dropped by Quiapo, it?s his way of thanking the parish for blessing his fight attire before he left for the Morales fight.
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As usual, when a person such as Pacquiao achieves unprecedented popularity, people want to speculate on his political plans. Though there were questions on his next probable boxing opponent, somehow the interviewers kept putting Pacman on the spot asking him whether he plans to seek public office.
Pacman neatly parried the questions by being non-committal ?”Di ko pa iniisip yan.”
His wife, Jinky, on the other hand, said it?s on the boxer?s mind and dismissed the question by saying: “Siya na ang bahalang magdesisyon.”
The question on his political plans kept popping up because the Atienzas are reportedly determined to bring him on their ticket. Which is sad because even without Pacquiao, many believe they could carry Manila. Or are they now having second thoughts?
The most sober and intelligent answer on politics was provided by Pacman?s mom, Dionisia: “Sana wag na lang.”
People close to him might also try to advise him about rethinking a singing career. But then again, why not strike while the iron is hot. Boxing, singing, movies, endorsements, cockfighting, billiards, heck, bring them on.
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Pacquiao said he wants Marco Antonio Barrera next. “Sabi nya nuong last fight namin di ko sya tinalo, kaya laban uli para magkaalaman na.”
He also dismissed Edwin Valero as a worthy opponent though Valero, a Japan-based Venezuelan, had a reputation for knocking out all his opponents within the distance. So far his record is 20-0, all by knockout.
Valero is Top Rank?s choice and Macau is already being mentioned as possible fight site.
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There was no respite for the boxer. Until early evening, the interviews went on and on, with reporters asking the same questions and getting the same answers.
If Pacquiao, who is nursing a fever, survived Morales, the 14-hour trip from the US, and his fans, he might not survive the media. They were just too much.
