
WBC lightweight champ Manny Pacquiao waves as South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Custodio smiles during a motorcade in General Santos Monday. GMANews.TV
MANILA, Philippines – International boxing champion Manny Pacquiao on Monday arrived to a warm welcome in his hometown General Santos City, as the city celebrated Pacquiao's June 29 victory in Las Vegas, Nevada. GMA’s Flash Report said immediately after his arrival in General Santos City, the 29-year-old Pacquiao went straight to a prepared motorcade and made the rounds in the city along with his relatives and local officials. Pacquiao’s parents, Rosalio and Dionisia, joined the motorcade, as they clutched their son’s championship belts during the entire grand welcome for Gen. Santos City’s pride. Also accompanying the celebrated Pacquiao family aboard the motorcade was South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino Custodio, who beat the Filipino boxer in the May 2004 mid-term elections. Pacquiao's homecoming came a day after the boxing champion went on a recognition spree for his latest victory in the US. Pacquiao first visited the AFP headquarters to personally receive from AFP Chief Gen. Alexander Yano a command plaque recognizing Pacquiao's extraordinary feat of winning in four weight divisions following a knockout victory over American boxer David Diaz last June 29. During the said visit, Pacquiao also took the time to deliver a speech before some 2,000 officers and men of the AFP, thanking all military men who took part in the rescue and relief operations for the families affected by Typhoon “Frank." After the event, the southpaw champion then proceeded to the Araneta Center to receive the “Award for Sports Excellence" given by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). The University of the Philippines, which is celebrating its founding centenary, also bestowed to Pacquiao the UP Centennial jacket and cap. Both sports recognitions were handed to Pacquiao just before the start of the highly anticipated La Salle-Ateneo UAAP basketball match. Last week, Pacquiao heeded President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s request that he become a special envoy to the Beijing Summer Olympics as well as the country’s official flag-bearer.
- Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV