By T.K. Stewart

Fresh off his victory in the 'Upset of the Year' over Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao is heading back to the United States from his native Philippines to spend the Christmas Holiday with his wife and family.

After a whirlwind two weeks in his native Philippines, where he was the guest of honor at the palace of President Gloria Arroyo, served as Grandmaster of several parades in his honor and then celebrated his 30th birthday party in the company of over 1,500 guests - Pacquiao is returning to Los Angeles for some well deserved rest and relaxation.

But before he left on Tuesday night, Pacquiao was awarded another honor at the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) 73rd anniversary celebration on Monday.

Unknown to most boxing fans is that fact that Pacquiao - a warrior in a different theater of operations - is also a reserve Army soldier with the rank of Master Sergeant - and he was presented with the Philippine Legion of Honor Award at the Officer level for "exceptional and commendable merit, as well as unparalleled achievement in the sport of boxing."

The award was conferred by President Arroyo and Manny accepted the honor while attired in his general officer's uniform.

Despite numerous reports in the worldwide press that a fight with England's Ricky Hatton is all but sealed for May 2nd in Las Vegas, Pacquiao told the Philippines' GMA News that those reports are premature.

"There's no final talks of the fight," said Pacquiao on Monday afternoon. "Let us just wait for further developments."

Pacquiao left for Los Angeles on Tuesday night (Philippine time) with his sons and daughter to reunite with his pregnant wife Jinky. The plan is that Pacquiao is going to remain in Los Angeles through the New Year.

Mrs. Pacquiao is scheduled to give birth to a daughter in January which will add to their growing brood. Reports are that the Pacquiaos are leaning toward naming their new daughter after the Queen of Ricky Hatton's England - and call her Elizabeth.

If everything comes together for the Hatton fight in May, Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach is already on record as saying he wants Pacquiao to begin training at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California at the beginning of March.