Hero's welcome awaits Pacquiao in GenSan, Sarangani

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is expected to arrive in General Santos City and Sarangani province on Monday afternoon following his lopsided unanimous victory against American fighter Brandon Rios.

Lawyer Arnel Zapatos, city administrator, said they have prepared a grand motorcade around the city for the eight-division world champion, a report from state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) said.

The report added that Pacquiao is scheduled to arrive around 4:30 p.m. at the city international airport via a chartered aircraft from Macau, where he outclassed a bloodied Rios throughout the entire match on Sunday.

Zapatos said Pacquiao and his team and family will head to Sarangani province after the motorcade.

The boxing champion is also the lone district representative of the province.

Pacquiao is also expected to visit soon Tacloban City in Leyte and other areas devastated by Super Typhoon "Yolanda."

He has dedicated his recent fight to the disaster victims and has vowed to help the typhoon survivors.

Read: Pacquiao to typhoon-hit Phl: We rise again

Pacquiao took the vacant WBO international welterweight title with his win over Rios.

It was a successful comeback fight for Pacquiao, who suffered two consecutive losses last year including a knockout defeat from Mexican rival Juan Manual Marquez. - Louis Bacani