Pacquiao Day: Hero’s welcome for champ set

Source: GMANews.TV

Yet another hero’s welcome is in store for boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao when he arrives home before the break of dawn Monday, exactly a week since a dominant performance against Joshua Clottey in their world welterweight title showdown in Arlington, Texas.

Accompanied by wife Jinkee, family members and friends and an entourage that keeps getting bigger and bigger with each Pacquiao victory, the world’s top pound-for-pound boxer will be on board Philippine Airlines flight 103 that is expected to touch down at around 5:30 a.m. at the NAIA Terminal 2 following a 14-hour flight from Los Angeles and Guam.

Security has been tightened around the airport, according to Manila International Airport Authority general manager Melvin Matibag, who will personally welcome Pacquiao and his team upon arrival.

Also expected on hand are four of Pacquiao’s children – Jemuel, Michael, Princess Grace and Queen Elizabeth – all of whom had not seen their celebrated father since he began training for the Clottey fight last January.

A short press conference follows at the airport’s Presidential Lounge where the seven-division world champion is set to deliver his arrival statement.

The 31-year-old southpaw is coming off a lopsided 12-round decision over Clottey to retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title last week.

Pacquiao will take a brief rest and have breakfast at the New World Hotel as he makes himself available for a busy day ahead.

Courtesy call and motorcade

First up in Pacquiao’s agenda is a courtesy call at the residence of former Department of Energy and Natural Resources secretary Lito Atienza, a staunch supporter of the boxing champion dating back to his younger days, in Manila.

From there, Pacquiao and his team proceed to Quiapo Church for the traditional thanksgiving mass that has been a staple of his every fight.

Also scheduled is a courtesy call at Malacañang with President Macapagal-Arroyo before Pacquiao goes on a city-wide motorcade beginning at Plaza Miranda and ending up at the Paco and Sta. Ana markets.

The route of the motorcade is as follows: U-turn to Quipo ilalim going to Quezon Blvd., right to Recto, left to Legarda going to Bustillos/Sampaloc market, right to S.H. Loyola to Trabajo market, straight going to Plaza Noli, left to Matimyas, left to Blumentritt, left Dapitan, right Lacson (Forbes), straight going to Yuseco and Rajabago, left Juan Luna to Pritil, right Moriones, left R10, left Zaragosa, right Delpan, straight going to Delpan bridge, left Anda Circle, right Cabildo, right Victoria, left Gen. Luna straight to Maria Orosa, left Kalaw, right Taft Ave., left Pedro Gil straight to Paco market and Sta. Ana market.

Pacquiao’s itinerary doesn’t end there.

In the afternoon, he is set to appear in a concert at the SM Mall of Asia and then cap the day with a dinner hosted by Solar Sports.

Within the week, Pacquiao and his family is set to fly to General Santos City and Sarangani, where the boxing icon kicks off his campaign sortie for a congressional seat.

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