People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao was bestowed the Philippine Legion of Honor award Monday during the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 73rd anniversary celebration at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

The award was handed to Pacquiao by no less than the country’s chief executive President Arroyo for bringing pride to the country through his successful exploits in the boxing arena.

Pacquiao, an Army reservist with a rank of Master Sergeant, attended the ceremonies in full military uniform.
 
He was honored alongside Philippine soldiers and officers who battled the extremist Abu Sayyaf group.
 
Pacquiao, the first Asian ever to win four world titles in four weight divisions, recently scored a decisive victory over ten-time boxing champion Oscar de la Hoya.

Accolades continue to pour in
The Legion of Honor Award is only the latest of the numerous accolades being received Pacquiao after his win over de la Hoya.

The World Boxing Council (WBC), regarded as the premier professional world boxing organization, recently named Pacquiao as the “Boxer of the Year”.

WBC president Jose Sulaiman told boxing analyst Ronnie Nathanielsz that the award was “a gift that we give to Manny of whom we are very proud of as a WBC champion.”

He said it was "unanimously decided" by the WBC board of governors to honor Pacquiao for his remarkable achievements this year.

Pacquiao was also named Sports Illustrated Magazine's “Boxer of the Year”.

Sun Star Network Online reported that the Pacquiao, known as the "National Fist," topped candidates Paul Williams and Antonio Margarito.

“He accomplished so much and he did it with the style and grace that befits a true champion. Whether he was passing out turkeys to the underprivileged in Los Angeles or cold cash to his adoring fans in the Philippines, Pacquiao became the best ambassador boxing could ever hope for in 2008, as dangerous in the ring as he is benevolent out of it,” wrote Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix.

The Filipino boxer was also hailed by ESPN.com as the world’s Fighter of the Year, beating Joe Calzaghe, Bernard Hopkins and old nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez.

“The eighth-round TKO victory [over de la Hoya] sealed the deal for the PacMan as 2008 Fighter of the Year and gave him three wins in three weight divisions this year,” said ESPN’s Dan Rafael.

This year, Rafael said Pacquiao is the closest thing boxing ever had to the great Henry Armstrong.