Laguna folk brave rains to give Alcano hero's welcome

Residents of Calamba City in Laguna province braved early-morning rains Thursday to give World Pool champion Ronnie Alcano a hero's welcome. Radio station dzRH reported Thursday morning that residents lined the streets leading to the Calamba City Hall where a recognition ceremony awaited Alcano. Chants of "Ronnie, Ronnie!" filled the air as Alcano made his way to city hall. The motorcade began 7 a.m. at the Silangan Exit near the South Luzon Expressway. It was scheduled to weave through streets in Calamba and Canlubang town. A highlight of the event would be Alcano's homecoming to Del Pilar village in Calamba, where his close family members and neighbors awaited. However, heavy rains eventually forced Alcano and his party to temporarily take shelter a a shopping mall in Canlubang town, GMA News' Unang Balita reported. Since he won the 2006 World Pool Championship last Sunday, Alcano has received awards and citations from various parties, including President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Alcano was conferred the honor of Order of Lakandula with the Rank of Champion for Life, a rare accolade for exceptional Filipino achievers. Aside from his $100,000 (about P5 million) tournament prize money, Alcano was also given a check for P1 million by Mrs Arroyo. He has also become the newest endorser of food-and-beverage conglomerate San Miguel Corp.-GMANews.TV