26.01.06 – By Marlon Bernardino: MANILA, PHILIPPINES—THE EMMANUEL “Manny” Pacquiao fever swept Metro Manila in the middle of scattered rain showers yesterday. The Philippine National Police–National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) under Deputy Director General Vidal Querol yesterday deployed at least 3,500 cops dubbed as “Troops from Task Force Pacquiao” who successfully secure the routes of the ticker tape parade, which pass through Manila and Quezon City.
Press people, government and private employees, vendors, students and out-of-school youths flocked in and around the metro streets to catch their hero in flesh on board a mini truck adorned with a pair of giant red boxing gloves upfront and a bevy of Philippine flags at the back.
Pacquiao could hardly take a breather after his arrival aboard PR 103 at 4:30 a.m. After freshening up at the Hyatt Hotel, he went to the Manila City Hall for a courtesy call on Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.
Atienza accompanied him for a separate courtesy call on Pres. Gloria Arroyo at Malacañang.
It was on the Kalayaan ground of the palace where Pacquiao urged the nation to unite with or without him fighting on the ring.
“Sana magkaisa tayo palagi may laban man o wala,” he said.
From the home of the First Family, Pacquiao and Atienza headed back to city hall to start the ticker tape parade.
From there, the Pacquiao entourage went to Jones Bridge, right at Escolta to Plaza Sta. Cruz, straight to Dasmarinas, right to Quintin Paredes, right to Reigna Regente, left to Recto, right to Delpan; left to Zaragosa, right to R-10, right to Moriones, left to Juan Luna; right to Tayuman, right to Forbes, left to Laong Laan, right to Blumentritt, left to España,
straight to Quezon Avenue, right to Scout Chuatoco, left going to Mother Ignacia, right to Scout Esguerra, right to Eugenio Lopez, left to Timog, right to EDSA, right to Kamuning, left to Tomas Morato, right to E. Rodriguez, left to Araneta, right to Aurora Blvd. (R. Magsaysay Blvd.), left to Nagtahan, right at Zamora to Peñafrancia, left to Pedro Gil and right at Onyx to Dagonoy Market.
Pacquiao proceeded to the Rajah Sulayman Park fronting Baywalk to be the star of the “Tribute to Pinoy Champions.”
He capped the night by jamming with his fans and invited celebrities of the organizing Solar Sports and Solar Entertainment in the “Hataw Pacquiao! Party ng Bayan!”
The party hosted by Edu Manzano and Bayani Agbayani featured popular artists Pops Fernandez, Andrew E, John Pratts, Angelica Jones, Freestyle, Aegis, Geneva Cruz, Cherilou and Maneuvers.
Aside from Pacquiao, other honorees include the Filipino athletes who won medals in the Southeast Asian Games and the Paralympics, Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman, fast-rising boxer Jimrex Jaca and Cristina “Tinay” Bugayong, the Grade 6 pupil who returned P300,000 in cash and checks she found near her home.
Pacquiao is scheduled to return to his hometown General Santos City where he will also be given a champion’s welcome.
Her mother Dionesia will lead the special thanks mass for Manny’s big triumph in international boxing competition. While Manny’s younger brother and RP champ Bobby Pacquiao will cook Manny’s favorite dish called “Kalderetang Kambing”.(MARLON BERNARDINO)