Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao arrived in Manila on Friday and was mobbed by Filipino fans from the airport up to Quiapo, where he attended a mass and thanked people for their prayers and support.

Pacquiao's Philippine Airlines flight PR 103 touched down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 at 6:20 a.m. Friday. He and his team left Los Angeles, California Wednesday night (Thursday in Manila).

Wearing an off-white suit, black polo, off-white vest and a fedora hat, Manny thanked those who welcomed him and said he was proud to have helped bring national honor by winning his bout against British boxer Ricky Hatton.

“Maraming salamat sa Panginoon... sa lahat ng nandito ngayon (Thank you very much to God and to everyone here),” said Pacquiao. “Masayang-masaya ako na nakapagbigay ako ng karangalan sa bansa (I am very happy to have brought honor to our country).”

The Philippines was supposed to hold a "national day of celebration" upon Pacquiao's return, but it was postponed by Malacañang, heeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) call to avoid parading the "People's Champ" around the five districts of Metro Manila over fears of the possible spread of the influenza A (H1N1) virus in the capital region.

Pacquiao said he is not disappointed with the celebration's postponement. “Talagang masayang-masaya ako.” There are plans to push through with the motorcade on Monday.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao mentioned at the press briefing the presence of another Filipino boxing champion, WBC featherweight titlist Bernabe Concepcion.

Concepcion won in the undercard of the “Battle of East and West” via unanimous decision in a six-round fight over Columbia’s Yogli Herrera.

Pacquiao was also asked about his political plans during the airport press briefing but declined to answer any of the questions.

Hugs and kisses

Before facing media at the airport, Pacquiao and his wife were welcomed by his children, Jemuel, Michael, and Princess.

The Filipino boxing idol, who was asked by the health department to go on self-quarantine, rushed to his children and hugged and kissed them. His youngest daughter, Queen Elizabeth, was apparently not at the airport.

The journalists waiting at the airport were not allowed by the Bureau of Quarantine to get near Pacquiao. Barriers were placed at the arrival area, separating Pacquiao from the press by about one meter.

Aside from his children and relatives, no one was able to shake hands with or even get close to Pacquiao at the airport.

Mobbed at the hotel

From the airport, Pacquiao and his group went straight to the Renaissance Hotel in Makati past 7 a.m.

The scene at the hotel, however, was different from the strict measures at the airport. Pacquiao was welcomed by well-wishers and the media at the hotel entrance.

A few steps after entering the hotel, Pacquiao was mobbed by waiting fans. Media staff, including photojournalists, joined the mob.

Entertainment at the hotel was provided by the El Gobernador band from Bacoor, Cavite and the University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe.

...and again in Quiapo

After the program and a quick rest, the "Pambansang Kamao," his family and crew proceeded to the Black Nazarene Church in Quiapo, Manila, for a Thanksgiving Mass around 10 a.m.

A radio dzMM report said traffic around the church became congested with Pacquiao’s arrival.

The report said people going out of the church mobbed Pacquiao. Some church staff also approached the boxing sensation and shook hands with him, the report added.

Pacquiao spoke to the people after the Mass and thanked Filipinos for their prayers, which, he said, helped him win the fight.

“Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong dasal at suporta (Thank you for your prayers and support),” Pacquiao said.

The radio report said Pacquiao was again mobbed by the public while exiting the church.

From the church, the radio report said Pacquiao will proceed to Ortigas Center in Pasig City.

The Pacman will not proceed to Malacañang as expected. President Arroyo was visiting Pampanga to meet several local officials.

Pacquiao’s wife told ABS-CBN News that their family will immediately proceed to General Santos City.

She said that they will not undergo self-quarantine and just rest in Pacquiao’s hometown.

Normal temperature

Undersecretary Mario Villaverde of the Department of Health (DOH) told radio dzMM that Pacquiao and his entourage all had normal temperature when they went through the thermal scanners at the airport.

Villaverde said Pacquiao and his team also filled up the DOH’s health checklist and were advised to undergo self-quarantine.

He said the other passengers of the PAL flight and its crew went through the same procedure.

Villaverde said that all arriving passengers, especially those who came from territories affected by the new influenza virus, are advised to go on self-quarantine.

Pacquiao and his team came all the way from Los Angeles, where he stayed after knocking out British boxer Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas.

Villaverde said that according to a WHO advisory, “there is already an established human-to-human transmission” of the deadly virus.

He added that Los Angeles is one of the states in America where there is a “sustained community spread” of the virus.

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque had said that Pacquiao and his team should undergo self-quarantine to make sure that they will not spread the deadly virus in case they are infected.

Duque said persons carrying the virus do not immediately exhibit flu-like symptoms because it has an incubation period of seven days.

The health secretary’s statement forced Malacañang to cancel the motorcade.

Airport measures

Angel Atutubo, NAIA assistant general manager, said they turned down several requests to meet Pacquiao at the airport.

He said in an interview on Thursday that Pacquiao and his entourage would go through thermal scanners and quarantine screening before they are allowed to enter the Terminal 2's executive lounge.

He said the procedure aims to “avoid risk of contamination of the A(H1N1) virus. We know that the virus quickly spreads in congested areas." With reports from Ron Gagalac, Ryan Chua and Jenny Reyes, ABS-CBN News and radio dzMM