Fans give Pacquiao warm, wet welcome

Not even the rains could stop Manny Pacquiao fans from pouring out into the streets.

Pacquiao, the "people’s champion," returned home from the US yesterday and was greeted with a hero’s welcome the moment he set foot at the Centennial Airport.

Pacquiao, who knocked out Mexico’s Hector Velasquez last Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, arrived on board a Philippine Airlines jumbo jet shortly before 5 a.m.

He was mobbed at the airport and, if not for the presence of security personnel, would have had a very difficult time just getting out.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza welcomed Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee at the airport. Soon after, they were in the middle of a convoy that brought them to the posh Manila Hotel.

After resting for a couple of hours, Pacquiao was back on the streets, this time headed for the Manila City Hall where a huge crowd had waited for his arrival.

A shower of confetti and shouts of "Mah-nny! Mah-nny!" greeted Manila’s adopted son who briefly held a press conference where he presented Mayor Atienza his fighting trunks.

"Thank you for your prayers and faith in me. If we’re one in prayers we will surely win," said Pacquiao in Filipino.

The mayor took his hat off to Pacquiao, describing him as one of the country’s "few remaining sports icons."

The hard-hitting super-featherweight then boarded the back of a red SUV along with Atienza and the mayor’s sons, Kim and Ali, for a motorcade in and around the city.

Despite the rains, Pacquiao fans lined up the streets to get a glimpse of their ring idol, who was all smiles waving back to them, and for most of the time under an umbrella.

The motorcade lasted more than an hour. Pacquiao was brought back to the Manila Hotel where the Pacquiaos will be staying until Monday.

Pacquiao left the hotel late in the afternoon.

According to a friend, he went to Camp Crame to visit a police official close to the Gen. Santos native.

The coming days could even be busier for Pacquiao, especially with the arrival of President Arroyo from the US where she graced the United Nations’ 60th anniversary.