GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A hero’s welcome awaits the city’s favorite son, boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, in his scheduled arrival here late Monday afternoon, a day after his impressive win in Macau, China against Mexican-American brawler Brandon Rios.
Lawyer Arnel Zapatos, city administrator, on Monday said the local government has prepared a grand motorcade around the city for Pacquiao, who took the World Boxing Organization’s international welterweight belt in a unanimous decision over a bloodied and badly outclassed Rios.
He said the Pacquiao team is scheduled to arrive around 4:30 p.m. at the city international airport via a chartered aircraft from Macau, China.
The team includes promoter Bob Arum, trainers Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez, and Canadian adviser Michael Koncz.
Pacquiao’s wife, Sarangani Vice Governor Jinkee, mother Dionisia, brothers Roel and Bobby, and close ally City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, who all watched the fight at the ringside of the Cotai Arena in Macau’s Venetian Hotel, are expected to join the return flight to this city.
“We have prepared a float that will carry our boxing hero for the motorcade from the airport and then around the city,” Zapatos told reporters.
The official said that after the motorcade, Team Pacquiao will immediately proceed to the Sarangani provincial capitol in Alabel town.
He said Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian-Solon will then lead a brief program honoring Pacquiao for his latest feat.
A short press conference was also scheduled. There, Pacquiao will announce his planned relief mission for the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda that devastated parts of the Visayas region.
Days after the onslaught of the typhoon last November 8, the lawmaker reportedly tried to take a break from training so he could visit the affected areas but was prevailed upon by his trainers.
The eight-division world boxing champion earlier dedicated the Rios bout for the victims of typhoon “Yolanda” and promised to immediately return home after fight so he could attend to them.
Following his stunning knockout loss to Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez in December last year, Pacquiao hastily returned home to lead a relief mission then to victims of typhoon Pablo, which devastated parts of Eastern Mindanao.
Meantime, boxing fans in the city and the neighboring areas were still in awe with the boxing icon’s convincing win against Rios on Sunday.
“He’s definitely back. We have not seen this kind of performance for a long time but it’s worth the wait,” said local resident Rolando Sibugan.
Liza Onding, Pacquiao’s elder half-sister, said relatives were “very happy” with her brother’s impressive showing and are looking forward to avenge his twin losses in 2012 — the controversial decision to American Timothy Bradley and the technical knockout from Marquez.
“We really prayed for this win and from the start we never doubted that he will come out with that kind of performance,” she told reporters.
The city government here offered free live viewing of the Pacquiao-Rios fight at the city plaza covered court through a pay-per-view subscription.
The fight was also viewed live by Sarangani residents at the provincial gymnasium while the local government of Koronadal also hosted a free live viewing at the city hall lobby.
