Grand Welcome for Pacquiao??

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

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.

 

Unprecedented promotion

Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said deliberations are being held to determine if Pacquiao would qualify for the rank of a Senior Master Sergeant – first of the three highest ranks for enlisted personnel.

Brawner said that aside from the promotion, the AFP would also give Pacquiao a military medal upon his return.

The rank of Senior Master Sergeant is one of the highest ranks an enlisted military personnel, active or reserve, can get. 

The two others are Chief Master Sergeant and First Master Sergeant.

Ordinarily, enlisted personnel can best reach the rank of a Master Sergeant before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Brawner said that in the case of M/Sgt Pacquiao, his successful campaign against Hatton is an exceptional one, making not only the entire AFP proud, but most importantly the country and the Filipino people worldwide.

Pacquiao in his younger days dreamed of becoming a soldier, and was enlisted in the military reserve force as an Army Private by Gen. Alexander Yano, who retired recently.

Yano was then brigade commander based in Sarangani province when the two became friends.

Euphoria

The whole nation was in a state of euphoria after the sensational victory, with a lot of people glued to their television sets long after the battle had been settled, savoring the sight of the devastating left hook to the chin that dethroned the unsuspecting champion.

Roadside eateries, barber shops, coffee shops and recreation and entertainment centers were filled with adoring fans, all rooting for their homegrown hero.

Others who could afford preferred to watch the fight live in theaters and restaurants, and still others savored the blow-by-blow account on the radio as it was happening in Las Vegas.

Streets in Metro Manila were practically clear of traffic as drivers of public utility vehicles and motorists stopped to watch the most awaited fight of the year.

An estimated 3,000 people trooped to the atrium of the CSI The City Mall in Dagupan City to watch the fight.

Engr. Rodolfo Dion, district engineer of the 2nd Pangasinan Engineering District, predicted that Pacquiao would finish Hatton early.

“Very spectacular,” said Daniel de la Cruz, executive assistant of Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr., who also watched the bout.

But most Pangasinenses just stayed home and watched the fight on their television sets.

In Davao, the provincial government of Compostela Valley spent P660,000 to host a free live viewing for more than 40,000 of its residents.

“It was really short. But what is more important is a win for Pacquiao and everyone was happy and proud of him,” Compostela Valley Gov. Arthur Uy said.

He said the provincial government initiated the effort to raise the P660,000 to cover the total charges of Solar Sports Inc., so that the bout could be viewed via satellite in 11 towns in Compostela Valley.

Uy explained that the P660,000 paid to Solar Sports was actually shared by several sponsors, including Compostela Valley’s two congressmen, as well as private companies such as Phoenix Philippines Inc.

A true inspiration for Filipinos

Pacquiao’s feat drew diverse reactions.

Former President Joseph Estrada joined the nation and Filipinos all over the world in celebrating the victory, saying the Pinoy ring sensation is a “true living legend.”

“He is truly an inspiration to Filipinos everywhere, showing that through discipline and faith great things are possible. He is a living legend who has brought the nation together in this moment of glory of the Filipino people,” he said.

“He is the best Filipino reason not to use illegal drugs,” Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) chairman Vicente Sotto III said.

He said the Filipino youth should not just see Pacquiao as a boxer but also a person who keeps himself physically healthy through sports.

US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, on the other hand, said that Americans share the same sentiments and glory of the Philippines in Pacquiao’s victory.

“He fights in America, he trains in the US so we share a little bit of his glory. We are both entitled to be proud,” Kenney said in an interview.

The ambassador said Pacquiao is a good example for everybody for his determination and strong will to do everything for his country and countrymen.

“He was amazing. He is not only a world champion and simply the best, but he is a great show of what dedication, excellence will do for someone. I think he is just a wonderful shining example for all of us,” she said.

Meanwhile, Catarman, Northern Samar Bishop Trance said he was dismayed that politicians chose to watch the Pacquiao-Hatton fight in Las Vegas rather than stay in the country to work on pressing bills.

In an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas, Bishop Trance said that the recent actuation of some 50 lawmakers is something for the Filipino people to ponder upon.

“Because of what they did, I think the Filipino people should now start thinking of what grade to give their congressmen and the country’s leaders. In a democratic process, I think the performance of one leader is important. It would be helpful if we would observe what they are doing,” he said.

The prelate said he is dismayed with the decision of some 50 congressmen to fly to Las Vegas just to watch the fight live.

“We are just concerned because we think that when they watched the Pacquiao fight it ‘destroyed’ the House of Representatives because for sure, there was no quorum since many of them were in the United States.”

Caritas Manila executive director Fr. Anton Pascual, on the other hand, said that while he could not endorse any form of organized violence such as boxing and that the players do it for money, he admitted that he was amazed that “Pacquiao attributes everything to God and this shows his humility.”

Pascual said another positive trait of the Filipino fighter, who is regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer, was that he loves and respects his parents. He said that it is written that, “when you respect your parents, God will bless you.” –With Jaime Laude, Edith Regalado, Cesar Ramirez, Ramil Bajo, Evelyn Macairan, Michael Punongbayan, Jose Rodel Clapano, Pia Lee-Brago

from: Philstar