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ANOTHER rousing welcome for the homecoming of Manny
“PacMan” Pacquiao, who demolished Sunday the previously unbeaten
Jorge Solis of Mexico at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, is
being prepared by the City Government of Manila.
The traditional champion’s
parade for Manila’s favorite adopted son is now being drawn up in
anticipation to the World Boxing Council International Super
Featherweight Champion’s arrival in Manila on Tuesday.
An estimated 60,000 people
composed of the city’s barangay officials and residents trooped
to nine different venues in the six districts of Manila set up by
the city government for free public viewing to witness the fight
telecast live through giant screens in cooperation with Solar All
Access.
“This is another major victory
for Manny and the Filipino people. At kami ay tunay na natutuwa
hindi lamang dahil sa pagkapanalo ni Manny na patuloy na nagbubuklod
sa atin mga Pilipino, kung hindi ay dahil nabigyan natin ng
kasiyahan ang mga kababayan nating taga Maynila,” said Mayor
Atienza.
“Manny, as a friend, always
offers me free tickets, accommodations and air fares just so I can
watch his fights abroad, but instead of watching the fight in Texas,
I opted to bring Manilans at ringside by providing free and live via
satellite screenings of his fight in the city’s communities,”
added the Mayor
Mayor Atienza, former
Presidential Assistant for Youth and Sports Arnold “Ali” Atienza,
also the former chairman of the Manila Sports Council and Inner City
Development Committee who started the free-per-view project,
together with Bheng Atienza, Deputy Mayor Don Bagatsing, as well as
city hall luminaries and officials were at the San Andres Sports and
Civic Center to watch the “great show” as promised by the
Filipino ring icon.
For his part, leading Mayoralty
candidate Ali Atienza who introduced Pacquiao to his father when he
was still a young boxer said that Manileños are happy for the
champion’s impressive victory because of the pride and inspiration
it brings to our people, especially the youth.
“We look forward to Manny’s
return and hope he continues to use his talent for the greater
good,” said the young Atienza, who has been the chief organizer of
past welcome activities of the city for Pacquiao.
Filled to the rafters were the
Tondo Sports Complex, Sentro ng Malikhaing Manileño (formerly
Patricia Sports Complex), Delpan Sports Complex, Sen. Arturo
Tolentino Sports Complex (formerly Dapitan), San Andres Sports and
Civic Center, Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Memorial Track Stadium,
Balut Covered Court and RASAC Covered Court.
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