HOME IS THE HERO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 10 Dec 2008
Unquestionably the greatest Filipino and Asian fighter of all-time, certified national treasure Manny Pacquiao returned home at the crack of dawn aboard a Philippine Airlines flight and into the arms of his children and the embrace of a grateful nation.
After receiving kisses and hugs and cheers from his fans, Pacquiao as always thanked God as well as the Filipino people who had supported and prayed for him in every fight.
After a brief break at a Makati City Hotel where he freshened up, Pacquiao and his entourage attended the customary thanksgiving mass at the Quiapo Church which was jam-packed while thousands gathered outside from the early hours to catch a glimpse of their hero creating a traffic gridlock in the area
Security was tight at the Terminal 2 arrival area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with K-9 teams scouring the airport grounds.
Pacquiao who was flanked by two of his staunchest supporters, Secretary Lito Atienza and Deputy National Security Adviser and former governor Luis ?Chavit? Singson proceeded to Malacanang after the mass for a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
President Arroyo welcomed the boxing icon in the Music Room and was clearly overjoyed at his incredible performance against ?The Golden Boy? Oscar De La Hoya last Sunday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
President Arroyo whose son, congressman Mikey Arroyo, has been a longtime friend of Pacquiao and even starred together in a movie has always shown concern for Pacquiao even before he made a name for himself as one of the greatest boxers of all-time and a certain Hall-of-Fame award winner in the years ahead.
Ali Atienza, the son of secretary Atienza told us that a mammoth welcome motorcade has been planned for Thursday where millions are expected to line the streets to give Pacquiao the hero?s welcome he richly deserves.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said he would arrive along with trainer Freddie Roach in time for Pacquiao?s 30th birthday celebration in his hometown of General Santos City.
Arum, in an overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports praised
Pacquiao for his efforts and pointed out that he ?made the Philippines very, very prominent on the world stage.?
Arum said what Pacquiao has done for the Philippines in terms of international recognition was remarkable. He recalled that during the Las Vegas ?Dream Match? he was able to introduce Filipino officials to top officials of the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama such as Secretary of Commerce Bill Richardson and Senate majority leader Harry Reid.
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