Manila to honor Pacquiao; victory party slated for tomorrow

Mayor Lito Atienza said yesterday a hero’s welcome awaits IBF superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao in Manila tomorrow as a tribute to the boxer for his extraordinary feat of defeating Mexican boxing great Marco Antonio Barrera.

Atienza said they will be holding a motorcade around the city tomorrow morning as well as a victory party at the Plaza Rajah Sulayman in Malate in the evening.

The motorcade will start before 9 a.m. on Monday after Pacquiao attends the flagraising ceremony at Manila City Hall. The motorcade will start at Taft Avenue in front of City Hall, cross Jones Bridge, turn right at Escolta, left to Dasmariñas street, right to Quintin Paredes street, right to Reina Regente street, left to Claro M. Recto Avenue, right to Del Pan, left to Zaragoza street, right to Road 10, right to Moriones street, left to Juan Luna street, right to Tayuman street, straight to A.H. Lacson Avenue (, right to España, left to Morayta, left to Claro M. Recto Avenue, right to Legarda, straight to P. Casal, straight to Ayala Boulevard, left to Taft, then left to Buendia. The motorcade will go straight to Ayala Avenue and end on EDSA.

Motorists are advised to avoid the motorcade route and take alternative routes.

Pacquiao is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call to President Arroyo at Malacañang Palace.

At 7 p.m., a victory party, which is open to the public, will be held at the redeveloped Plaza Rajah Sulayman in Malate. Top Filipino performers will perform during the party being organized by the City of Manila and Solar Sports.

"We are inviting our fellow Manileños to gather along the route of the motorcade so they can cheer Manny, who has brought much honor to our country and our city," Atienza said, even urged the public to take part in the victory party at Plaza Rajaj Sulayman.

"This will be a very exciting event. Let us all be there to show our appreciation for Manny Pacquiao and to also show the world that the Filipinos are a proud and united people," Atienza said.