Donaire back in Manila from knockout victory in US

Three days after his knockout win over Jorge Arce in Houston, Filipino boxing champ Nonito Donaire Jr. arrived home to a warm welcome early Wednesday.

 

Donaire arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 aboard a Philippine Airlines flight from the United States, radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported.

 

His flight from San Francisco touched down in Manila at 5:50 a.m., the report said.

 

Last Sunday (Manila time), Donaire did the country proud with a knockout win over Jorge Arce in the third round of their bout in Houston.

 

He said he hoped the win, which came a week after Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao lost via knockout to Juan Manuel Marquez, would cheer Filipinos who face many trials now.

 

Aside from grieving over Pacquiao's defeat, Filipinos are still reeling from the effects of Tropical Cyclone Pablo (Bopha), which left more than 1,000 dead.

 

On Monday, Donaire mourned for the victims of Tropical Cyclone Pablo and the Connecticut shooting that killed at least 27 people, most of them schoolchildren.

 

"There are many tragedies in our lives, from the typhoon to the school shooting in Connecticut to the five-car pile up I saw on my way to the airport. Every day every second is a blessing. Don't take it for granted," he said.  — ELR, GMA News