Pacquiao arrives to swarm of fans, welcome rites in Manila

Two days after knocking out Mexican fighter Jorge Solis in Texas, Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao arrived home to a hero’s welcome in the Philippines. GMA News' Unang Hirit reported that Philippine Airlines PR-113 flight carrying Pacquiao touched down at about 4:45 a.m. as well-wishers gathered at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 to welcome him. Pacquiao told well-wishers at the NAIA-2 he plans to visit first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, who is now confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Center after he underwent high-risk surgery there. Accompanied by Manila mayor Jose Atienza Jr. and wearing long-sleeved polo shirt and beige pants, Pacquiao acknowledged the cheers from the crowd gathered at the airport. “Maraming salamat sa walang sawang pagsuporta ninyo at dasal ninyo (Thank you very much for your support and prayers)," he told the crowd before proceeding to The Manila Hotel. Pacquiao said he plans to stay in Manila for a day before going to his home city of General Santos. He is running for a congressional post there this May. “Sabik ako bumalik sa amin, makita ang dalawang anak ko. Na-miss ko pamilya ko (I want to go home and see my children. I miss my family)," he said. With him was his wife Jinky. Pacquiao showed no signs of the cut he sustained in his forehead. - GMANews.TV