Pacquiao returns to countrymen's warm embrace

Another hero’s welcome awaits Manny Pacquiao on Saturday when he returns to the warm embrace of his countrymen almost a week after a dominating win against Mexican Antonio Margarito. Pacquiao defeated his Mexican foe in their 12-round slugfest at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas last week to claim the World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight title, the Filipino ring icon’s eighth in as many weight divisions. The reigning pound-for-pound king and wife Jinkee arrive early Saturday morning aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR 103 at the Centennial Airport 2. Pacquiao’s mother Dionisia, brothers Bobby and Rogelio, and chief of staff Jayke Joson arrived early Friday morning. Joson will be making arrangements for the victory parade and party that are expected to celebrate Pacquiao's homecoming. A brief press conference will be held at the Centennial Airport lounge shortly upon Pacquiao’s arrival. Then his entourage proceeds to the New World Hotel to take a brief rest and have breakfast. Pacquiao will then attend mass at the Quiapo church, a tradition he's followed every time he comes home from a boxing match. He will also pay a courtesy call to President Noynoy at 10:30 a.m. Team Pacquiao will then return to New World to prepare for a 5 p.m. show at the SM Mall of Asia. Margarito joins the growing list of Mexican fighters beaten by Pacquiao, including such greats as Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao’s victory over the Tijuana native Margarito was the Sarangani Congressman’s 13th straight to hike his ring record to 52 wins (38 knockouts), three losses and two draws. A bruised Pacquiao held two successful concerts in Lake Tahoe, Nevada and Vallejo City in California — despite an aching rib cage inflicted upon him by the hard punching but slow-footed Margarito. The Vallejo concert was held at the Hidden Brook Golf Club and attended by no less than Mayor Osby Davis, who presented Pacquiao a proclamation making him an honorary person in the city. Davis also declared November 17 as Manny Pacquiao Day in Vallejo. Proceeds of both concerts went to the Manny Pacquiao Foundation. Pacquiao’s colleagues at the House of Representatives will also hold a welcome party at the Batasan Complex where he will be awarded the Congressional Medal of Distinction. “Everyone is participating and everybody is contributing in their own little way to pay tribute to the greatness of Pacquiao," said An Waray Party-list Rep. Florencio Noel Last Monday, Congress adopted Resolution 625 granting the boxing champion the medal of distinction for his exemplary achievement in the sport. At least 20 resolutions commending the heroism of Pacquiao have also been adopted by the House of Representatives. – JVP/KY, GMANews.TV