Mama Mia, muy guapo esta!

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Gorgeous women swooned while the men called his name the moment Manny Pacquiao stepped out of a black Ford Excursion that took him to the elegant El San Juan Hotel and Casino close to midnight Friday.

“My God! I’m in love with him,” said a voluptuous fan after she and her friends had their pictures taken with the Filipino ring icon who took a four-hour flight to Newark, New Jersey to this city which gives you the feel of Las Vegas and Havana combined.

Pacquiao smiled and obliged as numerous fans sought photos of him. Fans started greeting him at the aiport, and as he boarded the SUV, one of three that waited for him, the first thing he told his companions was, “Sikat pala ako dito (I’m popular here).”

At the hotel, one of the trendiest here in Puerto Rico, Pacquiao created a stir once he arrived, and it took him almost 10 minutes to get to the door. Just outside the elevator, more fans, men and women, young and old, caught up with him.

“Come on, they’ll just grow in number,” said the hotel’s security officer who was to escort Pacquiao to his suite.

A male Puerto Rican fan had Pacquiao planting his signature on a pair of boxing gloves, and they’re no ordinary gloves because they have the Philippine flag on them. He said he bought it for $60 (P3,000) on e-Bay.

“I waited for this moment,” he said, holding on to the autographed pair of gloves.

Pacquiao is in town as part of his press tour for the Nov. 14 fight with Puerto Rico’s own, Miguel Cotto. The other day they were in New York, and on Sunday in San Francisco, on Monday Los Angeles and Tuesday in San Diego (Pacquiao only).

Pacquiao is supposed to fly to San Francisco (a 10-hour flight) Saturday afternoon but the reigning pound-for-pound champion had already asked his Canadian adviser, Mike Koncz, to change the flight schedule to Sunday morning.

Pacquiao said he doesn’t want to waste the opportunity to catch his fellow Filipino Rodel Mayol who will vie for the WBO lightflyweight crown against the undefeated hometown boy Ivan Calderon Saturday evening here in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

“Let’s watch him fight. Let’s give him the boost,” said Pacquiao.

For the meantime, as he checked the amenities of his spacious suite, furniture and everything all in white, Pacquiao plans to relax and take it easy.

“Nice room. But I’m tired. I need to rest. I need to run tomorrow,” he said.

Lights out in Puerto Rico.   – Abac Cordero