PACQUIAO GETS ROUSING WELCOME
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 18 Apr 2007
Millions of Filipinos didn’t pay too much attention to celebrated trainer Freddie Roach’s 5 out of 10 rating for Manny Pacquiao’s eighth round KO of hitherto undefeated but unknown Mexican Jorge Solis or the boxing experts who generally said Pacquiao’s performance was nowhere near his best. All that mattered to them was that the Filipino ring idol had scored what they believed was another smashing victory and they came out in their thousands to give Pacquiao a rousing welcome on his arrival yesterday.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who has long supported Pacquiao and shown her concern for him even before he began an international boxing hero welcomed Pacquiao for the umpteenth time in Malacanang to personally pay tribute to him as the “people’s idol” and this generation’s “shining light.”
The President hailed Pacquiao’s victory as worthy of being emulated by every Filipino. Arroyo said “the people’s champion has once again brought victory and pride to the nation. His physical strength is matched by a tenacious will to uplift his countrymen with every win.”
President Arroyo took time off from the bedside of her husband, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo who was recovering from high-risk surgery for aortic aneurysm and had been prevented by doctors from watching the telecast of the fight which was carried by Solar Sports on pay-per-view in theaters and other venues across the nation and on GMA 7.
Pacquiao had expressed concern for the First Gentleman who is regarded by Pacquiao as a close friend. Mrs. Arroyo recognized Pacquiao’s concern for her husband’s state of health and said that “like all Filipinos, Pacquiao’s victory raised the morale of his friend, Atty. Mike.” The President added “ friends close to the First Family continue to pray and hope that the boxer’s victory is a fitting metaphor for Atty. Mike’s own battle for a speedy recovery and good health.”
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and his son Ali Atienza who is seeking to follow in his father’s footsteps as Mayor of Manila in the May elections as usual made all the arrangements for a massive motorcade following a news conference at City Hall. Pacquiao flatly denied, as he always has, that politicians such as Atienza had convinced him to run for the lone congressional seat in South Cotabato currently held by opposition congresswoman Darlene Antonino Custodio.
Pacquiao stressed that Mayor Atienza had supported him from the early days of his career and had often given him good advice. “You cant say they are using me. We have been sticking it out with each other for some time now” he added .
Pacquiao, quickly switching from boxing icon to aspiring politician, assailed politicians who had neglected his hometown of General Santos City. Taking an obvious dig at his congressional opponent, Pacquiao said that in the past twenty years there has been no development in his hometown and the only new structure in the city was his P35 million mansion. Pacquiao said that if elected he would prioritize development of the GenSan airport into an international airport and convert the small local hospital into a national hospital. Pacquiao emphasized once again that he was running for office because he wanted so badly to help the poor.
Despite Pacquiao being her opponent in the May elections, congresswoman Custodio would lead the welcome when boxing idol returns to his hometown today to what is expected to be a tumultuous welcome.
WBC International Super Featherweight Champion Manny Pacquiao (2nd L) rides on a truck during a victory parade in Manila April 17, 2007. Pacquiao returned from the United States after defeating Jorge Solis of Mexico during their match in San Antonio, Texas over the weekend. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)
Two floats have been prepared for Pacquiao, one by the city government headed by Mayor Pedro Acharon, a longtime friend of Pacquiao and the other by the boxer;s supporters who belong to the “People’s Champ Movement.” The unsettled question was which float Pacquiao will choose as he leads a convoy of over one thousand vehicles in a massive hometown welcome to the poor boy who went on to capture the hearts of millions of his countrymen both at home and abroad by his glorious achievements in the ring.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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