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By Isagani S. Palma, Correspondent
GENERAL SANTOS CITY: World boxing champion
Emmanuel “PacMan” Pacquiao was conferred the title of a B’laan
tribe datu in Sarangani shortly after his arrival from Manila.
The confirmation was made after PacMan earmarked
a P30-million donation for the construction of farm-to-market access
roads in Malungon town, a source said.
Pacquiao arrived at the General Santos City
International Airport around 9:15 a.m. Top city officials joined the
newly crowned World Boxing Council Superfeatherweight champion in a
motorcade in the city.
“It’s nice to watch them reunited,” Romeo
Gonzales, a barangay official said as PacMan gleefully conversed
with Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. and South Cotabato Rep. Darlene
Antonino-Custodio
during the press briefing. “We are happy to see the champ and our
government officials put aside politics,” he added.
Pacquiao was met with a convoy of about five
hundred motorcycles as he entered Malungon town in Sarangani,
where he owns a four-hectare cock farm in Barangay Banahaw.
“It’s really nice to feel they care for
me,” said Pacquiao as he watched the crowd that lined the street
to the municipal gymnasium where he was later conferred the title of
“ Datu Damfel Banwe” (which translates to great warrior and
messenger of peace) by Edmund Pangilan, the municipal tribal
chieftain and Malungon Mayor Reynaldo “Bong” Constantino.
PacMan, who is likewise the local tourism
council chairman of Malungon, an isolated place occupied by tribal
minorities, committed some P30 million for the concreting of the
8-kilometer Poblacion-Sitio Kalunbarak farm-to-market road.
Barangay Captain Miguel B. Baculna told
reporters Pacquiao gave the budget from his personal fund.
“It is now set. We are only waiting for the
arrival of the equipment for the road project,” Baculna said,
thanking the favorite son of General Santos for his generous
contribution that will no doubt benefit the less fortunate.
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