Hero's welcome awaits Manny in Sarangani, GenSan

MANILA, Philippines – A hero’s welcome is being prepared for world champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao as he comes home today to General Santos City and Sarangani province.

Michael Bren Evangelio, Pacquiao’s chief-of-staff for Sarangani told The STAR, thousands of GenSan and Sarangani fans will greet Pacquiao upon his arrival today.

He said a motorcade will be set for Pacquiao where he will greet fans in the busy streets of Calumpang, Silway, Acharon Blvd., Public Market Road, Santiago Blvd., Catolico Avenue of General Santos City from his arrival at the airport.

The motorcade will end at the Sarangani Capitol in Alabel town where Pacquiao will be honored in elaborate rites.

“It will be a big event because it is a double celebration – a grand hero’s welcome for the congressman for winning his eighth championship belt against Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito and the celebration of the Sarangani province’s cultural heritage of Monato Festival,” Evangelio added.

Pacquiao will also lead the oath-taking ceremonies of newly elected barangay officials from the 141 barangays of Sarangani province.

“It will be a fiesta for Sarangani province because this is the first time we will be hosting a hero’s welcome for our boxing idol and we are lucky and proud for having him as our leader,” Rico Albano, one of Pacquiao’s constituents said.

Meanwhile, the Senate is looking at the possibility of having the Philippines as the venue for the next fight of Pacquiao in a bid to boost tourism in the country.

Senators Gregorio Honasan and Manuel Villar Jr. led the moves to stage the Pacquiao fights here by filing Senate Resolution 290, calling for a study into the possibility of making this happen.

Pacquiao has very few opponents left to fight and is expected to retire soon.

Among the fights being eyed for Pacquiao by the promoters and even fans of the sport are against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao’s recent fights have generated significant revenues, both in ticket sales and pay-per-view buys, making the Filipino great as one of most bankable stars of any sport.

In the resolution, Honasan and Villar pointed out that the government has an ongoing effort to jumpstart the tourism industry and hosting a world-class boxing match starring Pacquiao would help move this forward.

“Hosting world-class boxing events in the country will generate job opportunities, economic benefits and encourage an atmosphere of lasting peace and unity among our people,” the resolution stated.

The two senators envision the Philippines becoming the boxing capital of the world apart from generating the revenues from the tourism industry. – Rose Tamayo-Tesoro and Marvin Sy