Thursday, March 27, 2008 Hero's welcome, cash incentive for Pacman
AS WITH his past wins and one defeat, Manny "Pacman" Pacquaio will once again be treated to a hero's welcome by his townmates in General Santos City when he goes home Monday or Tuesday, according to an insider.
Pacquiao is set to arrive in Manila on Monday, where he and his wife Jinky will be met by their sons, his mother Dionisia, and their baby daughter Divine Grace.
Mayor Jun Acharon, in a radio interview, announced that the local government of General Santos is now preparing for arrival honors befitting a world champion for Pacquiao after wresting the WBC super featherweight title from Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez via split decision on March 16 in Las Vegas.
The city mayor will meet the City's most favored son from Barangay Labangal (Pacquiao) at the General Santos City International Airport before joining him in a motorcade around the city's major thoroughfares.
Acharon said if Manny's brother Bobby (who lost in his March 13 fight versus Urbano Antilon) will be with him at the same flight, then both of them will be accorded honors.
The motorcade will end up at the oval covered court where a short program and press conference await the brothers. Here, Acharon will turn over to Manny the cash incentive of P30,000 given to homegrown world champs by the City Government. (CMO/Avel Manansala)
