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Pacquiao back as nation rolls out red carpet


MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao arrived home early Friday a week after his dominant victory over David Diaz in Las Vegas, Nevada to claim an unprecedented fourth title. A Philippine Airlines jetliner carrying Pacquiao landed on the NAIA tarmac at 5:03 a.m., radio DZBB reported. Pacquiao, the newly crowned World Boxing Council lightweight champion, was accompanied by his wife Jinkee, the members of his boxing team and some politicians who watched his fight in Las Vegas. Upon emerging from the plane, the Filipino boxing idol immediately met his children and carried his daughter, Princess. During a press conference, Pacquiao told reporters he would donate P3 million to victims of typhoon Frank and initiate a calamity fund drive. He said he would also visit the provinces that were badly hit by the typhoon, including Romblon. Around 10:30 a.m., Pacquiao will pay a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at Malacañang. "He will be honored in Malacañang for being the first Asian to win major titles in four different weight divisions after knocking out Mexican-American David Diaz, dethroning him of the WBC Lightweight title," the Palace said in a statement Thursday. The activities lined up for Pacquiao include a visit to Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, whom he considers as second father, a Mass at Quiapo Church in Manila, a press conference at GMA Network and a motorcade. Pacquiao now rules the WBC flyweight, International Boxing Federation (IBF) super bantamweight, WBC super featherweight, and WBC lightweight world titles. During his Malacañang visit, Pacquiao is expected to present to President Arroyo his WBC lightweight belt. On the other hand, the Palace statement said Mrs Arroyo would present him with a special cake baked by the Palace in-house baker. - GMANews.TV
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