By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Filipino ring idol and national treasure Manny Pacquiao received the hero’s welcome he deserved by millions of his adoring countrymen but the injection of political color into the celebration with the exclusion of Makati City from the motorcade route left a sour note.
A spokesman of Mayor Jojo Binay, Lito Anzures said Makati was willing to extend a red carpet welcome to Pacquiao in recognition of his achievements but was left out for apparent political reasons . Anzures said Mayor Binay who is regarded as a leading opposition figure didn’t lose anything from the decision to bypass the country’s financial and business headquarters although the people of Makati would have liked to be a part of the welcome.
Pacquiao paid a courtesy call on President Arroyo at Malacanang hours after he arrived a board a Philippine Airlines flight from Los Angeles. During the long flight Pacquiao autographed stacks of photos and other mementos to be given to friends, relatives and fans.
Pacquiao who was accompanied to Malacanang by his charming wife Jinkee as well as his father who had apparently temporarily reconciled with Pacquiao’s mother Dionisia after years of seperation.
The devastating puncher with the warm smile and the friendly handshake was mobbed at the airport by customs and immigration officials, media personnel and well-wishes some of whom were there since midnight to welcome their hero.
Despite the intermittent rains thousands upon thousands lined the lengthy motorcade route through the main streets of Manila as well as Quezon City and gave Pacquiao a raucous welcome. In many of the crowded and poorer districts of Manila his motorcade was forced to grind to a halt because of surging crowds who screamed “idol, idol” and Pacquiao’s name and “Pacman” monicker time again.
Hundreds carried placards and posters as well as enlarged photographs of Pacquiao.
During a news conference at City Hall where one of Pacquiao’s most ardent supporters Mayor Lito Atienza was the usual gracious host Pacquiao thanked his supporters led by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Mayor Atienza as well as all those who watched his epic battle with legendary Mexican Erik “El Terrible” Morales in Las Vegas.
Reiterating his call for national unity Pacquiao said “sana magkaisa na tayo lahat kahit wala akong laban” in reference to how Filipinos in their millions, friends as well as foes, politicians of all hues, the clergy and both the rich and the poor united behind him when he battled Morales.
There was one snafu at City Hall when Jimrex Jaca who scored a spectacular first round knockout victory against his Mexican opponent Geronimo Hernandez in the curtain-raiser to the Pacquiao-Morales fight was not allowed to enter the second floor where the press conference was held. Jaca said city hall staff refused him entry because they apparently failed to recognize him.
Jaca took its good-naturedly and admitted he was not well known. However, the fighter of Rex “Wakee” Salud, a close friend and confidant of Pacquiao was spotted by simple boxing fans who posed for photos and asked for Jaca’s autograph.
However, Mayor Antonio Renacia pf Sibulan, Negros Oriental indicated the hometown folk of Jaca were preparing a huge welcome for him.
Over 4,000 policemen were deployed throughout the motorcade route and for all the other celebrations that were lined up for the returning hero.
