MANILA, Philippines ? Hillary mania gripped the Philippine capital of Manila as thousands of cheering and flag-waving Filipinos greeted US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her two-day visit ending Friday.

Crowds of people dubbed "Hillary fans and fanatics" by Philippines Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo flocked to see Clinton during her various stops, in a seemingly genuine outpouring of enthusiasm.

When she announced her latest trip a week ago, Clinton said she wanted to "show solidarity" with the Philippines after recent storms and typhoons left more than 1,000 people dead and tens of thousands of others homeless.

On her first day, she visited suburban Malanday High School, where US helicopters just weeks ago rescued stranded students from roofs and subsequent US aid programs helped resupply the classrooms with books and other material.

Classrooms bore large greetings such as "your presence is a Christmas gift to us" and "thank you for sharing your precious time with us."

Waving Philippines and US flags as well as balloons, about 2,000 students standing on three levels of balconies erupted into a deafening roar of cheers when Clinton greeted them from the once-flooded courtyard.

"Mabuhay," Clinton told them, using the Philippine word for welcome.

She said she was "very sorry" for their losses and that Washington would continue to help in their recovery.

On her way to and from the school, Clinton was greeted by thousands more people who crowded around the bumpy road or peered from their dilapidated homes.

When she visited the University of Santo Tomas on Friday, the cheering crowds were back in force ? aided by a band playing the American patriotic tune: "Stars and Stripes Forever."

Before a televised audience of 1,000 students packed into an amphitheatre, Clinton charmed them with talk of her family, basketball, boxing, The Beatles and other rock stars.

Her 90-year-old mother "really likes" Mick Jagger, she confided.

Needless to say, the chief US diplomat gave the right answer when asked to predict the result of this weekend's world title boxing fight between Filipino hero Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.

"Of course the Pacman is going to win!" said Clinton, triggering cheers.

She also charmed her audience with self-deprecating humor.

When asked when the United States would have a female president, Clinton quipped: "I'm probably the last person you should ask, because I certainly tried".

She praised the Philippines as a role model because it has had two female presidents -- democracy icon Corazon Aquino in 1986 and current leader Gloria Arroyo.

"The Philippines is ahead of us. I really should ask you what is the secret of your success," she said.

Clinton also answered questions from them and television anchors about poverty, global terrorism, the peace process in the southern Philippines, repression in Myanmar, the Afghan war, human rights and other serious subjects.

Greeting Clinton on the first day of her visit, Romulo lavished praise on her in a manner not often seen with other foreign leaders.

"Filipinos love her. I told her there are Hillary fans and fanatics here and therefore... we are most happy she is here," Romulo said.