Pacquiao mobbed by fans despite DOH warning

MANILA, Philippines - Despite health officials' warning against close contact with Manny Pacquiao for fear of spreading the dreaded Influenza A (H1N1) virus, fans still gave the returning boxing hero a warm welcome when he arrived Friday. Fans mobbed the five-division titlist from his arrival at the airport and on his way to his room at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati City, shaking his hands, seeking autographs and posting for pictures. Health officials earlier persuaded Pacquiao and his party, including wife Jinkee and mother Dionisia, to defer their return to next week and go on a self-quarantine in Los Angeles first so as to prevent the spread of A(H1N1). Feeling more at risk in the US, where there's been confirmed cases of A(H1N1), Pacquiao decided to proceed with his flight back and landed aboard Philipine Airlines flight PR103 at around 6:15 a.m. "Mas lalong masama kung ma-stay kami nang matagal doon (LA) dahil maraming fans ang pumupunta sa amin para magpa-picture. Mas delikado baka mahawa pa kami. Mas mabuti na yung umuwi kami para mas safe," he said. Pacquiao was made to deliver his arrival statement and field media questions on a stage set six-feet away from reporters and well-wishers. But that did not prevent people at the airport from getting closer to Pacquiao to congratulate and welcome him back. "Masaya ako at maraming tao ang sumalubong, mainit pa rin ang pagtanggap nila. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila," he said in an interview on Unang Hirit. After his breakfast and short rest at Renaissance, Pacquiao is set to hear thanksgiving mass at Quiapo Church at around 10 a.m. and later sing for the fans in a free concert prepared by GMA Network at 4 p.m. at the Mall of Asia. The traditional courtesy call in Malacanang and victory motorcade around Metro Manila have been reset to Monday due to typhoon "Emong" as part of the government's precautions against A(H1N1). - GMANews.TV