‘Pacman’ has landed; champ 'TKOs' rains, A(H1N1) scare

(Updated 8:13 a.m.) MANILA, Philippines - As if dealing with Ricky Hatton and his ring opponents, Manny Pacquiao simply punched out the twin-threats of typhoon “Emong" and the Influenza A (H1N1) virus scare to go ahead with his original plan to return to his homeland early Friday. Pacquiao, along with his wife Jinkee and mother Dionisia arrived on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 103 at around 6:15 a.m. at the NAIA Terminal 2, six days after the pound for pound king’s brutal disposal of Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas. Like regular travelers, they went through normal quarantine procedures at the airport and blitzed through thermal screening faster than Pacquiao could finish off Hatton with a right-on-target left hook. “I feel so happy that I’m with my family right now, especially my children," said Pacquiao, ignoring health officials’ warning against close contact by kissing, hugging and carrying his children Jimwell, Michael and Princess upon setting foot at the arrival area. “I’m so happy there’s a lot a people here today to welcome me." Pacquiao and his family arrived against the advice of Philippine health officials, who earlier urged them to undergo self-quarantine in Los Angeles and defer their return until at least next week as a precaution against the A (H1N1) virus that has resulted to 44 deaths in Mexico and two in the US and over 2,000 confirmed cases worldwide so far. But without signs of the virus and feeling more at risk in the US, where there's been confirmed cases of A(H1N1), Pacquiao decided to proceed with his scheduled flight back home. "Mas lalong masama kung mag-stay kami nang matagal doon (LA) dahil maraming fans ang pumupunta sa amin para magpa-picture. Mas delikado baka mahawa pa team ko, mahawa ako. Kaya minabuti ko na umuwi kami para mas safe ang kalusugan namin," he said. Pacquiao was made to deliver his arrival statement and field media questions on a stage set at a “safe distance" of six-feet away from reporters and well-wishers. Mobbed But that did not prevent people at the airport from approaching Pacquiao to congratulate and welcome him back, led by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza and his son Ali. Pacquiao was similarly mobbed at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati City, where fans ignored health officials’ warning against close contact with the Pacman to shake his hands, seek autographs and take pictures. "Masaya ako at maraming tao ang sumalubong, mainit pa rin ang pagtanggap nila. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila," he said in an interview on Unang Hirit. After his breakfast and short rest at Renaissance, Pacquiao is set to hear thanksgiving Mass at Quiapo Church at around 10 a.m. and later sing for the fans in a free concert prepared by GMA Network at 4 p.m. at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. The national day of celebration, highlighted by the courtesy call at the Palace, and victory motorcade around Metro Manila, had been reset to Monday due to typhoon "Emong" and also as part of the government's precautions against A(H1N1). But “Emong" apparently backed off in time for Pacquiao’s return as the rains in the capital subsided on Friday. Had “Emong" continued to pound Manila, the pilot was considering diverting the flight to Cebu, according to a twitter posted on board the plane by GMA News’ Josh Villanueva. “Emong" lost strength upon hitting the mountainous area of northern Luzon Thursday night and by 4 a.m. Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration recalled its earlier storm signal warning No. 1 for Metro Manila. The good weather enabling Pacquiao’s plane to land hassle-free. Emong also weakened into a tropical storm. Pacquiao shared the limelight with his fellow boxers on the flight, youthful featherweight prospect Bernabe Concepcion, Dennis Laurente and Michael Farenas. Concepcion beat his Columbian rival Yogli Herrera in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Hatton fight while super-lightweight Laurente and Farenas pounded Marvin Cordova and Walter Estrada, respectively in another Las Vegas card. "Maraming Pilipino na lumalaban para sa Pilipinas at nagibigay ng karangalan sa atin, hindi lang ako. Kaya palakpakan din natin sila," Pacquiao said. – GMANews.TV