Big day for Manny

The country’s ring sensation Manny Pacquiao flew in last Friday night on board a Northwest Airlines flight and he’s staying in the MacArthur Suite at the Manila Hotel with his wife Jinkee this weekend.

I heard a generous benefactor arranged to upgrade the Northwest economy tickets of Manny, Jinkee and business manager Rod Nazario to business class. Dapat lang. Manny deserves to travel in style–after all, he’s a national treasure.

I also heard the same benefactor booked the MacArthur Suite at the Manila Hotel for Manny and his wife plus another suite for Nazario. The benefactor refuses to be identified–he’s not after publicity mileage, after all. Besides, he probably wouldn’t want to be deluged with similar requests in the future from less deserving celebrities. You can’t blame the benefactor for being shy.

Sources close to the Pacquiao group are feverishly fending off politicians from exploiting the fighter’s presence for photo-ops and riding on the fighter’s popularity for their own selfish purposes. The goal is to keep Pacquiao under wraps until President Arroyo officially welcomes him home in Malacañang at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

Since Pacquiao’s arrival, he’s been hounded by politicians, alms-seekers and suddenly emerging relatives ringing the phone in his hotel room. Poor Manny. He hasn’t had a moment’s rest.

If Pacquiao survives this weekend unscathed, it’ll be a bigger victory than his 11th round demolition of Marco Antonio Barrera in San Antonio last week.

Tomorrow’s festivities begin at 7 a.m. with a flag-raising at the Manila City Hall. Mayor Lito Atienza, who has been an ardent Pacquiao supporter for years, will lead the rites.

An F-150 truck has been provided–I heard, by the same unidentified benefactor–for Pacquiao to ride in a motorcade after the flag ceremony. The route will be from the City Hall to P. Burgos, Jones Bridge, Escolta, Sta. Cruz Church, Carlos Palanca, Quezon Boulevard, Rector, P. Casal, Taft, Quirino, South Superhighway, Buendia, Ayala Avenue and back to the Manila Hotel.

Pacquiao shouldn’t be with too many people in the open F-150. The fans want to see and cheer Pacquiao–they couldn’t care less about the hangers-on. Mayor Atienza should be in the open truck, too, because after all, he’s playing a major role in the welcoming program.

The Malacañang appointment will be a highlight. President Arroyo herself wants to congratulate Pacquiao in behalf of the nation. A press conference will be held in the Chief Executive’s presence.

At night, a victory party will be thrown by Solar Sports and the City of Manila at the Rajah Sulayman Plaza on Roxas Boulevard beside Aristocrat. The merry-making starts at 7 p.m.

"I envision something like the parties of NBA (National Basketball Association) champions where they share their moment of triumph with their fans and well-wishers," said Solar’s Arnold Arandilla. "It’s open to the public and we’re expecting a mammoth attendance. It’s all for the glory Manny has given the Filipino people. He deserves this treat."

A huge screen will be set up at the Plaza to show several audio-visual testimonials and of course, film clips of the Barrera downfall. Hosts Willie Revillame and Pia Guanio guarantee a grand time for all. Confirmed to perform at the party are Parokya Ni Edgar, Geneva Cruz, Gee Girls, Masculados and Andrew E.

The red carpet has been rolled out for Pacquiao. The nation salutes him for his courage, skills and fighting heart.

Postscript— Congratulations to sportscaster Mico Halili and GMA-7 investigative reporter Pia Arcangel who tied the knot in ceremonies at the Chapel of the Transfiguration in Nasugbu, Batangas, yesterday. Reception was at Gourmet’s Café in Silang. Mico and Pia met when they covered the Metropolitan Basketball Association for ABS-CBN some years back. The prognosis is they’ll live happily ever after. They hope to raise a family of point guards.