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:
INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Three boxers aim for finals
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 17 Dec 2025BOOM! Terence Crawford Stuns the World with Retirement at 42-0
By Dong Secuya, Wed, 17 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 17 Dec 2025Donaire ready for Tsutsumi
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS CONNOR MITCHELL GETS READY FOR HIS PRO DEBUT
Tue, 16 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
By Eric Armit, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
Tue, 16 Dec 2025