Friday, July 18, 2008 'Pacman' tours Bacolod By Gil Alfredo Severino
BOXING sensation Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao will switch on and inaugurate Bacolod's newest traffic light at the corners of Hilado and Burgos streets around 1:30 p.m. Friday.
This is the sixth traffic light installed under the administration of Mayor Evelio Leonardia, bringing the number of traffic lights in Bacolod City to a total of 12.
After the ceremonies, Leonardia will give the 'Pacman' a tour of the New Government Center.
The Filipino boxing icon arrived in Bacolod on Thursday and was treated to a motorcade and a program in his honor at the Bacolod City Hall grounds. Secretary to the Mayor Goldwyn Nifras also read Executive Order (EO) 26, declaring July 17, 2008 as the 'Manny Pacquiao Day' in the city, a plaque of which was personally handed by Leonardia to the Pacman, along with a Masskara mask as token.
Nifras also read EO 27, conferring to Pacquiao the title of 'Bugal sang Bacolod'. Certificates of appreciation were also given to Jinkee Pacquiao, Wakee Salud, Buboy Fernandez, Rey Golingan, Lito Camo and Cris Aquino.
The 'adopted son of Bacolod', meanwhile, offered a song to his fans in the city and later had a press conference with the local media at the City Mayor's Office.
'Pacman' on Thursday braved the rain in a motorcade along the city's major streets, greeting thousands of waving admirers lined up to give him a hero's welcome.
The motorcade started at the Casino Filipino Hotel where Pacquiao took a two-hour rest and ended at the Bacolod City Hall grounds where the program in his honor was held but was cut short because of the heavy downpour.
Pacquiao thanked the Bacolod residents for the warmest welcome given to him. "I am here with only one purpose in my heart and that is to be with the typhoon victims of Bacolod City. I come here not for anything else but help our needy brothers and sisters (igsoon). Please accept my thanks."
On Friday, Pacquiao will personally visit barangays Tangub and Banago and the Bays Center to distribute one million-peso worth of goodies estimated to benefit 6,000 households affected by typhoon Frank.
Leonardia said Pacquiao's cash donation and its conversion to packages was coursed through and managed by the Bacolod Airport Lions Club.
One of Pacquiao's close advisers, Rex 'Wackee' Salud, told the Bacolod media that while he has no knowledge on how much Pacquiao had shelled out as cash assistance to other provinces in Mindanao and the Panay provinces, "Bacolod City evidently is very special because he will personally attend to the distribution of gifts."
Salud also announced that Pacman's next fight would be on November 16 against Humberto Sotto, although Pacquiao has yet to sign the contract. "So nothing is confirmed yet until Pacquiao signs the contract but the schedule and opponent are sure and as planned." (With Press release)
