Tireless Pacquiao shares historic feat with compatriots

Finally, Manny Pacquiao can take a well-deserved rest with his wife and four kids. After spending the whole day attending to interviews, participating in a victory motorcade, and going to two grand welcome parties, Pacquiao can now kick back and savor his recent triumph that etched his name in history.

Almost a week after snatching the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown from the hands of Miguel Cotto – beating the Puerto Rican in a 12-round technical knockout match – Pacquiao returned home once more, a hero to his millions of adoring Filipino fans. As expected, Pacquiao stoked nationalistic pride as Filipinos around the world shared his victory of winning a record seventh world championship belt. Pacquiao, who started fighting as a 106-lb in the strawweight division, also holds the International Boxing Organization (IBO) light welterweight crown while previously ruling the WBC light weight, WBC super featherweight, International Boxing Federation (IBF) super bantamweight, WBC flyweight and RING Magazine’s featherweight divisions. The streets of Quezon City, Manila and Makati erupted into frenzy on Friday as Pacquiao fans came out of their offices to greet the seven-division champion, who held his usual victory motorcade around the metropolis. Crowds all across the Philippine capital chanted “Manny! Manny!" and “People’s Champ" when the seven-division champion’s convoy passed them by.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV The victory motorcade started from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources office of Sec. Lito Atienza and passed through Quezon Avenue, Espana Blvd., Lacson Street, Tayuman, C2 Road, Moriones, Del Pan, Roxas Blvd., Pedro Gil, Taft Avenue and Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue before ending at the Pag-ibig Head Office along Makati Avenue in Makati City. Traffic stood still as bystanders and well-wishers came out to see the boxing champion. Everyone – from housewives who took their kids along, office workers who left their desks, laborers who took breaks, and even doctors who skipped appointments – paused just to see the boxing legend. Before the motorcade, Pacquiao, who arrived at around 5:20 a.m. via PAL Flight PR 103 from Los Angeles, went to the Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila for a Thanksgiving Mass, which was also attended by Vice President Noli De Castro. Church goers of the 8 a.m. mass considered themselves lucky to get a glimpse of Pacquiao, now considered to be a historical figure, the only pugilist to win seven titles in different weight divisions. Loreta Musico, a Quiapo Church volunteer, expressed joy to see Pacquiao in person once again. “Lagi naman siya nagsisimba pag nanalo siya at dun lagi ang puwesto niya sa harap malapit sa altar (He always goes to church after every win and he always sit near the altar)," Musico said. “Magaling talaga siya sa boksing. Kahit malaki nakakaya niyang talunin (He is really a good boxer. He even beats bigger opponents)," she added, saying that she and her family saw Pacquiao’s match last week. From Quiapo, Pacquiao and his entourage that included wife Jinkee and Atienza went straight to the DENR office, the usual starting point of his victory motorcade. After the motorcade, which lasted for almost two hours, Pacquiao had a brief rest at the New World Hotel before heading to the GMA-organized party dubbed “Pitong Panalo ni Pacquiao" at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Pacquiao was serenaded by various Kapuso stars led by Kyla while Survivor lead vocalist Arnel Pineda sang “We are the champions" as a tribute to the reigning pound-for-pound king. GMA executive vice president and chief operating officer Gilberto Duavit, senior vice president for corporate services group Felipe Yalong and SVP for entertainment Wilma Galvate were among the top network executives that graced the tribute to Pacquiao. After attending the concert, the champion headed to the Quirino Grandstand, where President Gloria Arroyo conferred the "Order of Sikatuna" with the Rank of Datu (Katangiang Ginto) to Pacquiao for his achievement. He ended his busy schedule with a dinner with Solar executives at the Manila Hotel. On Saturday, Pacquiao is expected to arrive at General Santos City and Saranggani, an event which will no doubt be marked by the same frenzy and fanfare that attended his latest – but hopefully not the last – victory. – Jonathan V. Perez, GMANews.TV