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Saturday, November 25, 2006
Manny Pacquiao gets hero's welcome
MANILA -- Thousands of Filipinos poured onto the streets of Manila Friday to welcome home their boxing icon and the most popular son, Manny Pacquiao, who last week clinched his memorable win over Mexico's Erik Morales.
Sun.Star Network Online coverage of the Pacquiao-Morales Sunday fight here
The 27-year-old-who has become an inspiration for his rise from poverty-was mobbed by thousands of fans as soon as his plane touched down from Los Angeles about 5:30 a.m. aboard Philippine Airlines.
Streets were jammed, traffic had to be rerouted and TV and radio stations had only one story to tell: Pacquiao's homecoming.
Vendors were selling small Philippine flags and "Pacman" souvenirs, like towels with the boxer's image. Even police cars were adorned with his posters.
Pacquiao, who cemented his status as one of the world's best pound-for-pound fighters, attended a thanksgiving mass at the Quiapo church, with fans watching his every step.
"Pacquiao legend-the people's champion," read streamers near the church.
Wearing a black cowboy hat after emerging from the airport, Pacquiao seemed at ease with his celebrity status, smiling, patiently shaking hands and having his picture taken.
"I'm not tired. I'm happy because of the warm welcome," he said.
Pacquiao's win over Morales last Sunday was his third bout against the 30-year-old former WBC super bantamweight world champion, two-time WBC featherweight world champion, and WBC super featherweight world champion.
Pacquiao stopped Morales in the 10th round of their second meeting last January after the Filipino lost by unanimous decision in their first clash in 2005.
Pacquiao said his next foe may be another Mexican fighter-Marco Antonio Barrera.
He told President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this after welcoming him in Malacañang. "Baka si (It might be) Barrera, by March," he said, to which Arroyo replied "mag-ensayo kang muli (You should train again)."
Pacquiao was greeted by fans waving miniature Philippine flags upon his arrival at the Kalayaan grounds inside the Palace compound. He was accompanied by his wife Jinky, mother Dionisia, and Manila Mayor Jose "Lito" Atienza Jr.
"Manny will always be our hero, the bearer of the Filipino dream of winning the good fight in all fields of human endeavor," the President said. "He will always be the people's champ for toughness, discipline, hard work and the ability to beat the odds."
Arroyo gave Pacquiao a special cake baked by Malacañang's chefs headed by executive chef Babes Austria.
The cake is a rectangular fruitcake covered with white fondant icing with the black lettering "People's Champ" in front. On top of the cake was a boxing ring with a glove standing in the middle made of chicken empanada with a Philippine flag at the base. The corners of the ring were made of bread sticks tied together with blue, red, and yellow strings to form the ropes.
Asked if he planned to pursue a political career, Pacquiao told reporters: "I am not thinking of that at this time."
There has been talk here that the boxer, who turns 28 next month, will run for vice mayor of Manila in next May's local elections.
Pacquiao held a motorcade around Manila after visiting Malacañang. He said he will go home to General Santos City on Monday.
He is now ranked the top challenger to Mexican champion Marco Antonio Barrera in the World Boxing Council (WBC) list and the number-two challenger to World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Edwin Valero.
Pacquiao was the International Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion between 2001 and 2004 and was WBC flyweight champion between 1998 and 1999. (AP/AFP/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga. (November 25, 2006 issue)
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