Still swollen with joy over Manny’s great victory against Great Britain’s “Hitman,” poor Filipinos warmly welcomed back the People’s Champ en masse, flooding the streets of Manila, completely numb to World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) dreary warnings: that Pacman, his team, and others who travel with them could possibly carry the now fast-spreading swine influenza into the country. Nonetheless, Manny and the entire Pacman team touched down at Ninoy Aquino  International Airport, safe and sound.

Braving typhoon Emong’s terrible lashing over Metro Manila including most parts of the Luzon Island just to see the world’s greatest boxer come home, Manny’s countrymen gladly chanted as they saw the “national fist” coming out of the airport, increasingly defiant to the potential threat of viral infection that returners and travelers coming from the United States and Europe may bring them. Perhaps, they perceive extreme poverty and its day-to-day evils to be much more horrifying than typhoon Emong’s mortal beating or any airborne disease of that sort. All they care about, it seemed, was to get a handshake of the first Filipino to conquer the West and become IBO’s undisputed Junior Welterweight champion -- who just brought home yet another priceless victory for God and country -- for them -- the poor.  

Earlier, Philippines president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation 1764, directing the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to lead celebrations in Metro Manila and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to coordinate activities in other parts of the country to ensure that everything proceeds properly and safely for Manny’s return. All government agencies were thereby directed as well to assist the MMDA and DILG in conducting a “Declared National Day of Celebration.”

The historic Quiapo Church, where the miraculous statue of the Black Nazarene resides, was Manny’s first itinerary right after he arrived in Manila. There, boxing sport’s pound-for-pound king and the Filipino nation’s most valuable citizen paid faithful tribute to God as he heard a mass being offered for his safe return. He then proceeded to meet with the media for a brief conference.

The “Declared National Day of Celebration” followed Monday, May 11, smoothly and peacefully on a grand parade. Major thoroughfares temporarily closed down to traffic, church bells rang throughout Metro Manila, public facilities orderly deployed, while banners and flags waived gloriously through the air. A sea of people coming from different walks of life flocked along sidewalks as they cheerfully watched the parade of the People’s Champ.

Manny paid the traditional courtesy call to the president right after the parade. A marching band of the Presidential Security Guard (PSG) welcomed today’s greatest Filipino athlete as he entered the palace’s gates, while the executive secretary escorted him to his official meeting with the president. After handing out to Manny a copy of Proclamation 1764, the president officially accorded the People’s Champ another public responsibility --- for him to act as “special assistant to the secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on intelligence matters.”    

At home, Manny’s townspeople were getting more and more excited as they prepared for his return. Unlike past celebrations, though, this homecoming appeared to be more dramatic as it began to bring in the participation of the neighboring province of Sarangani where Manny is now building a hilltop mansion alongside the white sand beaches of the municipality  of Kiamba. When finished, the mansion is expected to become one of the province’s indigenous tourism spots.

In his hometown General Santos City, a gloomy rainy weather awaited the arrival of the People’s Champ, though this didn’t prevent hundreds of supporters and residents from going out to offer their warm greetings. But daylight began to shine as Manny’s flight landed, perhaps proclaiming -- distinctly -- to the well-wishers that “change is dawning!” Manny then boarded a convoy which took him swiftly to the city’s oval plaza where a local press conference was to briefly hold.

The People’s Champ spent most of his first day at home in his newly-built hilltop residence celebrating with his elated new neighbors and rural dwellers of the municipality of Kiamba. Local officials, tribal chieftains, and prominent citizens also came to honor him for his kindness in lending -- for their beloved province -- a one-in-a-million chance to become known internationally, most particularly in the world boxing of sports. In return, the townspeople showed gratitude to Manny by performing tribal rituals and dances and songs, while the community feasted happily all together over roasted calves and pigs and chickens and many other native delicacies in a grandiose welcome celebration spearheaded for by the province’s local governments.     

While the arrogant and the proud and the skeptic preferred to stay away from the reception --- to languish silently in deep remorse. Their doom is already certain, yet they just couldn’t afford to step aside. They will not stop mocking, cheating, conspiring, intimidating, to perpetuate furthermore. They will pursue every forceful means to abort “change” to happen. But they won’t make it this time. Not anymore. People are awakened. People are well-informed. People want change!

Yet, so blessed are they who believe in the People’s Champ. Their hardships and sacrifices are coming to an end. Structures are being built to make way for their dream to come true. When the right time approaches, they will begin to find for themselves youthful servants who truly are friends of the people --- advocates who will strongly fight against poverty!

And, soon enough, the People’s Champ will come to ably fix what has been badly damaged for so long. His constant faithfulness and humility will guide him to work much harder and earn even more. He will be blessed with ample grace to peacefully unite his people towards achieving progress and prosperity. He will lead to bring back economic growth. And his deeds shall eventually free the poor.

God bless you Manny!