Nation to fete returning hero

LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao will come home to a hero’s welcome as he arrives tomorrow before a throng of adoring fans expected to greet the ring gladiator from General Santos City.

Pacquiao, back on the world boxing stage after knocking out Hector Velazquez of Mexico in the sixth round at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Saturday, was scheduled to board the Philippine Airlines at the Los Angeles Airport at 10 p.m. Tuesday (Wednesday afternoon in Manila with his wife Jinkee and some members of Team Pacquiao.

From the airport, the 26-year-old Pacquiao will lead a motorcade that will take him to the streets of Manila and Makati. A short visit to Malacanang is also being planned.

"Malaki daw na motorcade," said the Filipino boxer who was originally scheduled to leave the US on Friday.

"Pero wala na ding gagawin dito kaya gusto ko na din umuwi," said Pacquiao, who is scheduled to visit the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood to thank all those who joined him in training for the fight.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said the city has prepared a ticker-tape parade for the ring idol, an adopted son of the city, with the Pacquiao entourage expected to be showered with confetti from his fans along the route of the motorcade.

Organizers of the event, headed by Manila Sports Council (Masco) Arnold "Ali" Atienza, have chosen "Kampeon ng Maynila, Kampeon ng Bansa," as the theme for the welcome rites in honor of Pacquiao, a long-time friend of Mayor Atienza.

The city chief has earlier paid tribute to Pacquiao and Rey Bautista and Brian Viloria, who both toppled their respective rivals to complete a sweep of the Filipino boxers in LA.

Pacquiao won the WBC (World Boxing Council) international super featherweight title, Bautista stopped Colombian Felix Flores Murillo, and Viloria won the WBC light-flyweight crown from Mexican Eric Ortiz.

Meanwhie another warm welcome is expected to be accorded the Filipino slugger in his hometown in General Santos.