DENR ROLLS OUT RED CARPET FOR PACMAN
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 11 Oct 2007
MANILA -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) headed by Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao's long-time friend and supporter, Secretary Lito Atienza, is scheduled to host a heartwarming victory party today as it rolls out the red carpet to honor the homecoming boxing champion.
Fresh from his latest victory over Marco Antonio Barrera, the people's champ is scheduled to arrive at 4:00am at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) where he will be personally fetched by Secretary Atienza who watched Pacquiao defeat the Mexican fighter in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas last weekend.
At 8:30am, Pacquiao will pay a courtesy call on Secretary Atienza at the DENR Main Office along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City where thousands of employees, fans and friends are expected to meet and rain the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Featherweight Champion with colorful confetti.
This will be followed by a press conference that will be held at the Social Hall, Second Floor of the DENR Main Office.
At 10:00am, Secretary Atienza will bring Pacquiao to the Malaca?ang Palace for a separate courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The solid friendship of Pacquiao, an adopted son of Manila, and Atienza, who was a three-term Manila Mayor, dates back to the early training years of the people's champ at a boxing gym in Sampaloc.
It has been Pacquiao's practice to meet with Atienza before and after a big fight. Win or lose, Atienza leads a fitting tribute for Pacquiao "who continues to unite and bring pride to our nation, as well as provide an inspiration for Filipinos to be champions in their own fields."
It was only during the Atienza administration in Manila where the public had the chance to watch Pacquiao's fights for free, live with no commercial breaks in all of the city's sports complexes that were redeveloped under the successful Buhayin ang Maynila urban renewal program.
Top photo: Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines celebrates after defeating Mexico's Marco Antonio Barrera last Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. AP Photo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
NP Bansalan will see action in Buhangin on Aug. 9
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 30 Jul 2025USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Competition at 2025 Brandenburg Cup
Wed, 30 Jul 2025Antonio Vargas Makes Weight, Set to Carry the USA Flag into World Title Showdown Against Daigo Higa in Japan
Wed, 30 Jul 2025“The Homecoming” to be Headlined by Phenom Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Sept. 6 in Olathe, Kansas
Wed, 30 Jul 2025Split-T Management Fighters Complete Perfect Weekend
Wed, 30 Jul 2025Golden Boy Signs Top Mexican Light Heavyweight Prospect Yair “Manotas” Gallardo to Co-Promotional Deal with Miguel Cotto Promotions
Wed, 30 Jul 20252-Time World Champion Shawn Porter Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Wed, 30 Jul 2025EVAN HOLYFIELD SET TO CONTINUE HIS COMEBACK THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, AT CHRISTY MARTIN’S “MAYHEM IN MUSIC CITY 2”
Tue, 29 Jul 2025The Boss Punches In: Joscelyn Olayo-Munoz Prepares for USA Boxing International Debut
Tue, 29 Jul 2025Boxing Icon Don Elbaum Passes Away at 97
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 29 Jul 2025FIGHT OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE: Andy Dominguez Defeats Byron Rojas by Split Decision To Win WBC USA Silver Light Flyweight Title on Atlantic City
Mon, 28 Jul 2025ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI KNOCKS OUT ALBEIRO PAREDES IN SECOND ROUND OF MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 7 AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
Mon, 28 Jul 2025Hawaiian Punch: Lorenzo Patricio Closes Out Youth International Career
Mon, 28 Jul 2025The 19th Thousand Island Cup Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on August 3
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Jul 20253rd DC Athletics Open on Aug. 9-10 at UM
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 28 Jul 2025