WORLD Boxing Organization super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. quietly slipped into the country on Wednesday, less than a week after his sensational victory over Mexican Jorge Arce.

Donaire arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 without his wife Rachel who went back home to Las Vegas to take some rest as the doctor advised.

“It is very inspiring to make my fellow Filipinos proud. Without them I won’t have an inspiration,” Donaire, 30, told reporters. “I gave my very best during that fight and we got the best result.”

Donaire, who improved to 31-1 win-loss card with 20 knockouts, smothered Arce with a third round knockout last December 16 at the Toyota Center in Houston. This is his fourth victory this year since climbing from bantamweight to super bantam.

He first defeated Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. to claim the vacant WBO super bantamweight belt last February and then whipped Jeffrey Mathebula in July. Donaire then scored a ninth-round stoppage of former titleholder Toshiaki Nishioka last October.

“I’m always proud to raise the Philippine flag. I’m proud to be a Filipino. I did all I could to get that knockout so everybody can have a good Christmas.”

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyong lahat. Without you, wala ako. Kayo ang inspiration ko at sana nabigyan ko kayo ng something to smile and something to be proud of,” he added.

Donaire, who could become this year’s Fighter of the Year, appeared in the ABS-CBN morning show Umagang Kay Ganda straight from the airport, and later was the special guest in Ted Failon’s radio program over DZMM.

He was also honored in the noontime ABS-CBN program It’s Showtime.

WITH A REPORT FROM BENJIE L. VERGARA