INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines ? (UPDATE 3) Traffic on the streets of Metro Manila ground to a halt as the victory parade of Manny Pacquiao made its way through the metropolis on Friday.

Despite the scorching heat, thousands of Pacquiao's eager followers filled the streets to show their adulation for the Filipino boxing sensation whose latest conquest of Miguel Cotto earned him a niche in history as the winningest boxer of all time, with seven world titles to his name in as many weight divisions.

Near the corner of Roosevelt and Quezon Avenues in Quezon City, a driver climbed on top of his passenger jeep and raised a bottle of soft drinks as if offering a victory toast.

"Mabuhay ka, Manny [Long live Manny]," the man shouted.

Work in almost all business establishments along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City and Manila virtually stopped as employees went out of their offices to greet Pacquiao.

Pacquiao's convoy left the Department of Environment and Natural Resources office in Quezon City around 10:30 a.m. and is expected to tour around the major streets of Quezon City, Manila, Pasay and Makati.

With Pacquiao are his wife Jinky and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza who feted him with a rousing welcome at the DENR earlier Friday.

Pacquiao arrived at the DENR office at 9:25 a.m. to a shower of confetti and band music.

In a short speech in Filipino at the DENR, Pacquiao thanked his supporters and dedicated his victory to the people.

He will be conferred the Order of Sikatuna, rank of Datu, by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila at 4 p.m.

The Order of Sikatuna is normally awarded ?for distinguished service in the field of foreign relations,? according to an executive order that created it. It is usually awarded to diplomats, officials and nationals of foreign states.

Previous recipients included US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the late Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Earlier in the day, Pacquiao went to Quiapo Church, as in the past, for a thanksgiving mass. He arrived in Manila at 5:30 a.m. Friday.