Hero's Welcome Awaits Pacuqiao in Manila

By Rey Danseco

A grand hero’s welcome with a fiesta atmosphere is waiting for Manny Pacquiao later this week in the Philippines.

Pacquiao, who honed his skills in Manila, plans to come home on Wednesday or Thursday after spending time to relax in the United States following his impressive demolition of Mexican Erik Morales in a sold-out crowd at the 23-year old Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Mayor Lito Atienza believes that the people of Manila are eager to join Pacquiao in the grand victory party along with the Filipinos across the globe.

“People are anxious to see Pacquiao in person and congratulate him. I expect the motorcade to be flocked by hundreds of thousands of people,” said Atienza in a radio interview yesterday.

Usually after the victory, the motorcade for Pacquiao starts at the Manila City grounds and ends in Malacanan for a short program at the Kalayaan Grounds of the Palace and lunch with President Gloria Arroyo, members of the First Family and other high ranking government officials.

Other Cities in the country are also expected to fete Pacquiao by their respective elected officials, especially General Santos City where the popular fighter was raised.
Pacquiao proved he’s one of the best fighters in any weight division after sending Morales down three times on route to a devastating knockout win in the third round of their scheduled 12-round super featherweight clash before 18,279 fans at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Arroyo hailed Pacquiao’s win as a victory for the Filipino people.