COPENHAGEN – The popularity of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao has reached this Scandinavian country, paving the way for the advanced Philippine delegation, including some media representatives, to breeze through immigration scrutiny.

Although a courtesy lane has been provided for delegates attending the 15th Conference of Parties (COP) on Climate Change to facilitate entry, an immigration officer, grinning from ear to ear, virtually opened the door of this northern European economy with the mere mention of the country of boxing’s pound-for-pound king.

“Oh, Manny Pacquiao, go, go, go!” was the immigration officer’s response upon hearing that the whole group is from the Philippines.

However, although Pacman made the entry easier for the Philippine delegation, it did not compensate the hardship that some 35,000 delegates – including media and non-government organizations (NGOs) representatives – had to endure to obtain accreditation to what some ascribed as the greatest event on earth.

Confusion and chaos marred the accreditation process, with the line long and winding.

The queue could be paralleled to the endless line when people from all walks of life paid their last respects to former President Corazon C. Aquino who died in August this year.

For most journalists, who came from all over the world, lining up is part and parcel of their quest for news. But, in this case, everybody raised a howl when certain insensitivities came into play.

The organizers practically forgot that the entrance to the Bella Center, the venue of the COP Climate Change summit to be attended by more than 120 world leaders, is open, exposing those in line to the chilling winter weather, with snow falling.

Side shows, complete with wide screen video depicting the current global warming situation, placards and mascots, outside of the heavily guarded gated entrance of the center did not appease, in anyway, the weary journalists, who endured standing in line for more than six hours without food just to get the precious 15th COP badge that would allow them access and cover the two-day leaders’ summit here.