INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines -- Hours after returning from the United States, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao visited on Friday morning the historic Quiapo Church in Manila to hear Mass amid a throng of supporters who welcomed him.

Pacquiao planed back in the Philippines from the US early Friday morning after his successful conquest of the World Boxing Council lightweight crown from David Diaz in Las Vegas last June 29.

Pacquiao and his convoy arrived at the church a little after 9 a.m. He was with his wife Jinkee, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza and former Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson.

Supporters, mostly vendors from the vicinity, crowded at the church entrance to get a glimpse of the boxing champ.

The special Mass, officiated by Monsignor Jose Clemente Ignacio, was held to celebrate his victory over Mexican-American David Diaz.

"Pagyamanin mo ang iyong puso sa pagmamahal lalo na sa mga nangangailangan [Enrich your heart with love, especially for the needy]," the priest advised Pacquiao during the homily.

Members of the Manila Police District were fielded in the area to secure Pacquiao's visit to the church.

Pacquiao and his convoy immediately left the church after the Mass.

There were unconfirmed reports that some mediamen lost cell phones while covering the event.

Upon his arrival Friday morning at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, the people's champion immediately announced his plan to donate P3 million to aid families affected by typhoon "Frank" (international codename: Fengshen).

“I have talked it over with my wife, and we decided to give P3 million to the typhoon victims as our way of helping them,” he told reporters at the NAIA 2 arrival area.

Sporting a striped white and blue shirt and jeans, Pacquiao smiled and waved to the airport employees and officials as he descended from the escalator at around 5:30 a.m.

After a 16-hour trip from Los Angeles on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 103, the boxing hero was back home to his three children who had not seen their father since May 12.

Michael, Jimuel, and Princess eagerly waited for their father and mother since the crack of dawn and hammed up for reporters and made funny faces while keeping an eye on the escalator for signs of their parents.

Upon seeing his kids, Pacquiao immediately cradled his daughter and showered his sons with kisses to the excited applause of both members of the press and airport personnel.

“I thank all Filipinos who supported me and prayed for this victory. Don't worry, my hand is okay now,” Pacquiao said in Filipino, chuckling.

His face was brighter, smoother and relatively unblemished from his bout with Diaz.

The victory came a week after the country was severely pummeled by typhoon Frank, which left hundreds dead across the country.

Pacquiao is the first Asian to hold Asian to hold four world titles in four weight classes and the only Filipino to reign in the 135-pound division.

“I am very happy with these four titles ... I can't explain my happiness, really, especially now that I am home with my children,” he added.

Aside from donating P3 million to the typhoon victims, Pacquiao said he was also planning a fund-raising concert for the victims as well as a telethon to generate more funds.

“I will also try to make the rounds of the affected provinces, probably Iloilo City, to see what else I can do [for them],” he said in a later chat.

Pacquiao also gamely lifted his four belts to pose for the cameras, smiling inside the presidential lounge where he was escorted after addressing the press.

Beyond the arrival area where Pacquiao held his brief press conference, other arriving passengers seemed unfazed about the early morning commotion.

“Para ngang mas manipis ang tao ngayon [It seems there are less people now], there were more people who welcomed him the last time,” commented an airport employee who declined to be named.

Outside the arrival area, where vehicles waited for the passengers, some kibitzers peeked through glass windows to catch a glimpse of the boxing champion.

Pacquiao, however, reassured his fans that his four titles won't stop him from getting better as a pugilist.

“I think I can still get better, in terms of experience and technique, and developing the use of my right hand ... At last I can use my right hook in coordination with the left,” he said.

Pacquiao praised Diaz as “one of the kindest boxers I have ever met,” and that before his flight home, he was able to talk to Diaz who has plans of visiting Manila.

His next fight is scheduled for November 8, although his opponent remains to be seen.

Asked if he would rather face British boxer Ricky Hatton or knockout artist Edwin Valero, Pacquiao replied: “Either the two of them, the time will come anyway that we will see each other in the ring.”

Valero is in the same weight division as Pacquiao, which is 135 lbs, while Hatton is at 140 lbs.

“Hatton wants a todo-todo [full blown] fight, the more fans he has, then I might go all the way to London to fight him,” Pacquiao said, laughing.

But growing more serious, the Filipino boxer conceded that he would need at least three months of intensive training before he could face Hatton.

“It's hard to say if I can knock him down, as of now. I'll just say that after the fight. I'll just do my best and say that I knocked him down if I've done it,” said Pacquiao, tightening his grip on Princess.

His two sons Michael and Jimuel wore identical blue shirts and kept silent as their father spoke in the glare and flashes of cameras.

Pacquiao said he planned to go home to General Santos City on Monday, albeit with a bit of difficulty when he brings home his four belts to excited relatives and townmates.

With four titles to his name, would he still dissuade his young sons from following in his footsteps as a champion boxer?

“I still don't want them to go into boxing, because it's very painful. My children, don't grow up to be boxers, you'll just get hurt,” Pacquiao cautioned his sons.