HONOLULU?The man who attracted one of the largest crowds in modern US boxing history with his hammer-like fists couldn?t lure enough people to hear him sing in a concert.

A promoter in Hawaii says poor ticket sales forced the cancellation of Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao?s concert on Sunday in Waikiki.

Ryan Chang of Island Fire Productions on Tuesday said he stood to lose about $50,000 on the concert, even with late sales and walkups.

Only 603 tickets had been sold for the show at the Waikiki Shell, just days after 50,994 people?the largest crowd to see a fight in the United States in 17 years?watched Pacquiao retain his welterweight title against Joshua Clottey in Texas.

Pacquiao was going to earn $100,000 from the ?Manny Pacquiao Live In Hawaii Concert Celebration.? He made at least $12 million for last Saturday?s (Sunday in Manila) fight.

Homecoming on Saturday

With the cancellation of his concert in Honolulu, Pacquiao moved his departure plans from Los Angeles to Thursday, which meant he could arrive in Manila as early as Saturday morning.

Another Pacquiao option is to proceed to Hawaii on Saturday and take the flight back to the Philippines on March 23, his chief of staff Jake Joson said.

A rousing welcome awaits Pacquiao in the Philippines.

At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, he will be given the traditional arrival honors after which he will proceed to the New World Hotel for breakfast, according to Joson.

There are other activities lined up for him, such as motorcades and guest appearances, but they will need Pacquiao?s final approval.

Bigger parade

What is certain is the grand launch on March 26 of Pacquiao?s candidacy for the Sarangani seat in Congress.

Also in the planning stages is a guest appearance in a fight card in Dubai featuring his younger brother Bobby and other fighters from Cebu?s ALA stable.

Pacquiao?s patron, former Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, said the homecoming parade for Pacquiao would cover a wider area than previous parades for him, allowing more of his compatriots to see him.

?We will have the traditional motorcade around Metro Manila but we will cover more areas in Manila. He has a lot of fans in Manila,? Atienza told the Inquirer.

Such a parade would also allow Atienza, who is running for his old seat as Manila mayor in the May elections, to bask in Pacquiao?s glory.

?Second father?

Asked if his political rivals might not use the occasion to accuse him of politicking, Atienza shrugged it off, saying: ?Mag-alaga muna sila ng sarili nilang talents (They should first nurture their own talents.)?

Atienza has described himself as being like a ?second father? to Pacquiao, having supported the boxer for years, starting from the time Pacquiao was still a raw fighter.

In previous parades, Atienza was seen standing beside Pacquiao, waving to the champion?s adoring fans.

?We have been part of his life and his career. My involvement with Manny dates back to his days when he was starting out as a boxer. It?s not as if I?m moving in just now,? Atienza said.

All districts

Atienza plans to welcome the champ at the airport.

He said that since he no longer held a position in government, he would bring Pacquiao to his house in San Andres, Manila, for coffee and to exchange stories on the Clottey fight.

Pacquiao?s party will then proceed to the Quiapo Church to hear Mass. The victory motorcade will follow.

?We will have more or less the same route but we will add other areas in Manila. We will try to cover all the districts,? Atienza said. The areas up for consideration are Binondo, Tayuman, Pandacan, Sta. Ana and San Andres.

Atienza said a visit to Malacañang to see President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was part of the plans ?but we have not been contacted by the Palace.?

Atienza is running against incumbent Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and former Philippine National Police Director General Avelino Razon in the elections. Reports from Associated Press, Roy Luarca and Alcuin Papa