Pacquiao declines hero's welcome, to focus on Sarangani flood victims

While he remains the champ for Filipinos, boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao on Saturday declined a hero’s welcome upon his arrival so he can attend to his constituents in Sarangani province. Pacquiao, in an interview aired on “Balitanghali,” said he plans to catch a trip Sunday to Sarangani, which had been hit by flash floods earlier this week. “Sabi ko hindi, huwag na. From airport diretso tayo sa naapektuhan ang pamilyang naapektuhan ng baha (I was told there would be a hero’s welcome but I said let’s forego it. I wourld rather that from the airport, we go straight to Sarangani where families had been affected by floods),” he said. Earlier Saturday, Pacquiao – who lost his welterweight bout with Timothy Bradley Jr. via split decision - went to Quiapo Church for his customary thanksgiving Mass. A separate report on “Balitanghali” said he took part in the offering and flashed the peace sign to those in the Mass. The priest at the church said he remains the champion in people’s hearts, to loud applause from churchgoers. The church was packed with people wanting to get a glimpse of Pacquiao. Pacquiao left the Quiapo church at noon to rest, and was to leave for San Juan arena for his Saturday television program “Manny Many Prizes.” — TJD,