Big reception awaits Pacquiao today

Barring inclement weather, Manila will push through with the planned "champion’s motorcade" that Mayor Lito Atienza and other city officials prepared today for the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) International Super Featherweight Champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.

Pacquiao, who demolished Mexican Hector Velazquez in six rounds at the Staples Center Sunday, is listed in the passengers’ manifest of the PR-103 flight arriving this morning, along with wife Jinkee and four other companions.

Manila residents, including loyal fans of Pacquiao, will line the route of a ticker-tape parade for the champion along major thoroughfares and inner city streets where the motorcade would pass.

According to the organizers of the event led by Manila Sports Council (MASCO) chairman Arnold "Ali" Atienza, the motorcade will start from city hall at 9:30 a.m. after a brief ceremony and will pass through the following streets: right at Natividad Lopez, left at San Marcelino, left at Ayala to Legarda, left at Recto, right at Delpan, left at Zaragosa, right at R-10, right at Moriones, left at Juan Luna, right at Tayuman, right at Abad Santos to Reigna Regente.

Mayor Atienza, who is leading the "champion’s welcome" with the theme Kampeon ng Maynila, Kampeon ng Bansa, enjoined Manilans to emulate Pacquiao who has again projected Filipinos as champions abroad.

Atienza also paid tribute to Rey Bautista and Brian Viloria who also won in their separate matches defeating Colombian Felix Murillo and Mexican Eric Ortiz, respectively.

Atienza added that the victory of the three Filipino boxers should serve as "a signal to each of us to unite and work together so that the real capabilities and potentials of our people would be realized."

Residents along these streets are expected to shower Pacquiao, an adopted son of Manila, with confetti for his latest feat in winning the WBC title from Mexican Hector Velazquez at the Staples Center in Los Angeles last Sunday.

Mayor Atienza, who is leading the "champion’s welcome" with the theme Kampeon ng Maynila, Kampeon ng Bansa, enjoined Manilans to emulate Pacquiao who has again projected Filipinos as champions abroad.

Atienza also paid tribute to Rey Bautista and Brian Viloria who also won in their separate matches defeating Colombian Felix Morales and Mexican Eric Ortiz, respectively.

Atienza added that the victory of the three Filipino boxers should serve as "a signal to each of us to unite and work together so that the real capabilities and potentials of our people would be realized."