INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines -- Who’s afraid of getting close to Manny Pacquiao?

Certainly, not his fellow passengers or the hordes of supporters who waited for him at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal II in Parañaque City early Friday morning.

“I think there’s really nothing to fear,” said veteran actor Eddie Gutierrez, who was with Team Pacquiao on board Philippine Airlines Flight 103 from Los Angeles, California.

“I feel okay. I don’t think any of us are infected with the virus,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Gutierrez, who was with his wife Annabel Rama and son Rocky, said he personally watched Pacquiao end the reign of British champion Ricky Hattton via a second round knockout in their title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada dubbed as “Battle of the East and West.”

“Since he beat [Marco Antonio] Barrera, I’ve always personally seen Pacquiao fight in the US,” Gutierrez said.

Despite the warning from the World Health Organization, some 200 individuals waited outside the northwing area of the airport, eager to catch a glimpse of the Filipino boxing legend.

Rustico Villegas, 36, said he left his house in San Mateo, Rizal as early as 4 a.m. to make sure that he would be able to see his idol.

If he had the chance, Villegas said he woud shake the hands of and embrace Pacquiao, adding that he was not afraid of contacting the deadly viral disease from the boxing superstar.

“Baka halikan ko pa siya [I might even kiss him],” he said with a laugh.