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Grand Welcome for Pacquiao??

Grand welcome awaits Pacquiao
By Marvin Sy Updated May 05, 2009 12:00 AM

Manny Pacquiao celebrates with the belt after beating British boxer Ricky Hatton by TKO in the second round of their junior welterweight title boxing match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. AP

MANILA, Philippines – A ticker tape parade in the city of Manila, a grand welcome in Mindanao and a possible unprecedented military promotion await newly crowned International Boxing Organization (IBO) junior welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao upon his return to the country on Friday.

Pacquiao’s hometown of General Santos City is also busy preparing a reception upon his arrival there despite his having switched his place of origin to Sarangani province.

The city of Manila, scene of countless ticker tape parades in Pacquiao’s previous winning campaigns, is again expected to play a major role in the Filipino boxing icon’s welcome celebration.

President Arroyo, speaking before members of the Filipino community in Damascus, Syria, had announced that she would declare a national day of celebration for Pacquiao’s victory.

“I join the entire nation in jubilation and in giving thanks to God for the spectacular second-round knockout victory of Manny over Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton in Las Vegas, Nevada,” the President said.

Mrs. Arroyo said Pacquiao’s victory “should inspire all of us Filipinos to have resiliency and dedication to triumph against all odds.”

Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said the details of the day of celebration were still being finalized and would most likely be announced tomorrow along with the presidential proclamation for this purpose.

She said the appointments office of Malacañang is working out the details.

From Gensan to Sarangani

Fans all over the Soccsksargen region exploded into cheers after Pacquiao devastated Ricky Hatton with a jarring left hook to the jaw that sent the latter flat on his back on the canvas during their Sunday match.

But ring announcer Michael Buffer’s introduction of the Filipino boxing hero as “the man from Sarangani, Philippines” and no longer General Santos City, the way he was always addressed in his previous fights, had raised some eyebrows.

“We will still prepare a grand welcome when Manny comes home,” said General Santos City Mayor Pedro Acharon, who admitted he was taken aback by the introduction.

“We were really hurt at first when we heard Sarangani province. But at the end of the day, we were really happy with his winning the bout. And Manny is still Filipino no matter where he lives,” he said. 

But Pacquiao’s homecoming celebration would be bigger this time, since it would be a joint effort with those in Sarangani province.

“I already talked with Sarangani officials and we planned on coming up with a joint celebration,” the mayor said, adding that he respected Pacquiao’s decision to change residence to Sarangani because of his political plans.

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