GenSan rolls out red carpet for native son

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Thousands of well-wishers chanted, cheered and waved flaglets as they poured into the streets yesterday to give a hero’s welcome to boxing idol Manny Pacquiao who arrived here from Manila aboard a private plane owned by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

Pacquiao, his wife Jinkee and mother Dionesia arrived at 9 a.m. at the international airport where they were welcomed by city officials, led by City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr., friends and relatives.

As the boxing champ emerged from the airport’s lobby, fans chanted "Mabuhay si Manny Pacquiao; Mabuhay ang GenSan; We Love You Manny; We are Proud of You Manny."

Minutes later, Pacquiao, accompanied by his father Rosalio and Acharon, led the motorcade that passed throughout the main streets of the city to the oval plaza covered court where a short program and a press conference were held.

The crowd swelled by 10 a.m. especially in the downtown areas after the city was hit by a power interruption from the local power provider, the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II).

"The brownouts that lasted for more than two hours coincidentally gave us more opportunity to go out of our store to greet Manny," said Ricardo Yap, owner of the city’s oldest store, Majestic Shopping Center.

Business establishments hung banners and streamers with congratulatory messages "Mabuhay si Manny Pacquiao; Mabuhay ang bayani ng Kamao."

Gary Khemani, a Bombay national and president of General Santos Eagles Club, said he tried to catch the first trip from Davao City to see Pacquiao in person.

"I really want to see my boxing champ idol and personally congratulate him if given the chance," said Khemani.

City Councilor Lulu Casabuena, a former public school teacher and chairperson of the education committee, said thousands of students rushed to the streets waving flaglets as Pacquiao’s motorcade passed by.

Before Pacquiao gave his piece and answered the media, GenSan pop idol Jun Jiminez sang the favorite song and first album of the boxing champ "Para sa Iyo."

"I am proud to be a Filipino, I am proud to be a GenSan, known as tuna capital of the Philippines…I really thank you for your prayers to win my fight…Sana magkaisa tayong mga Filipino," Pacquiao repeatedly said these lines to his fans.

The boxing champ also refused to answer queries on his political plans, saying "even if I’m not in the government position, I’ll be there around to help you."