MANILA — Although without the usual pomp and fanfare, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo welcomed warmly today the Peoples Champ and boxing idol Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao by personally greeting him at the foyer of Malaca?angs Rizal Hall before proceeding to the Music Room for a closed-door meeting.
Pacquiao arrived early this morning at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on board Philippine Airlines Flight PR 113 from the United States, fresh from successfully defending his super featherweight title from Mexican challenger Jorge Solis Saturday night (Sunday noon in Manila).
After a brief rest at the Manila Hotel, Pacquiao proceeded to Malaca?ang to pay a courtesy call on the President.
In a statement, the President hailed the latest ring conquest of Pacquiao who, she said, “has once again brought victory and pride to the nation.”
“His physical strength is matched by a tenacious will to uplift his countrymen with every win. We welcome him home as the peoples idol and this generations shining light,” she stressed.
The President also said that she and the First Family were “touched” by the concern shown by Pacquiao over the well-being and fast recovery of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, who is recuperating at the St. Lukes Medical Center in Quezon City after undergoing a 10-hour major heart surgery last April 9.
According to Pacquiao, when he heard that Atty. Arroyo had fallen ill, he (Pacquiao) and his family immediately prayed for the immediate recovery of his friend.
Pacquiao also said that if and when time permits, he would like to pay the First Gentleman a visit to personally extend his get-well wishes to him.
“The First Family is extremely touched by Mannys concern for the First Gentlemans state of health,” the President said.
“Like all Filipinos, Pacquiaos victory raised the morale of his friend, Atty. Mike. Friends close to the First Family continue to pray and hope that the boxers victory is a fitting metaphor for Atty. Mikes own battle for a speedy recovery and good health,” she added.
During the same event, the President presented Pacquiao with a specially prepared cake that had a molded boxing glove with the colors of the Philippine flag emblazoned on it.
The 18″x16″ confectionaire is made of pure white chocolate and sits on a 20″x24″ wooden support also covered with pure white chocolate. The molded glove, meanwhile is made of marzipan, an almond-based cake sprinkled with confectionaires sugar and sits comfortably in the middle of the second layer of the cake.
The chocolate cake was “lovingly” prepared for the peoples champ by the chefs of Malaca?ang, namely: Katrina Matiez, Karl del Rio, Jason Matonton and Alex Ple?os.
Pacquiao said that during his closed-door meeting with the President, she personally congratulated him and fellow boxer Bernabe Concepcion, who fought at the undercard of the Pacquiao-Solis match.
The 19-year-old Concepcion defeated Texas-based Mexican Benjamin Flores in a unanimous decision to retain his WBC Youth super bantamweight title.
“Ang ibinigay niyang (President Arroyo) payo sa amin ay pagbutihan namin yung bawat laban na darating at sana marami pang karangalan ang madala namin dito sa bansa,” Pacquiao said
Aside from members of Team Pacquiao, the boxing idol was also accompanied to the Palace by his wife Jinky, Manila Mayor Jose “Lito” Atienza, mayoralty candidate Ali Atienza, and Manila 3rd District Rep. Miles Roces. (OPS)
