Tuesday, October 09, 2007 Seares: Pacquiao impact on the news By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
THIS time, the compelling image wasn’t of the rival forced to kneel on canvas, with Manny Pacquiao towering over him.
Marco Antonio Barrera survived all 12 rounds of Sunday’s Las Vegas fight.
The Filipino boxer didn’t knock down the Mexican fighter, which would have been a stunning and definitely sharper image of victory and defeat.
Not that anyone questioned the unanimous decision. Aside from judges’ score, count of punches and power shots shattered any doubt: 256 vs. 120 punches, 54% versus 34 percent power shots, all for Pacquiao.
Those who expected a lot more were crushed: boxing aficionados, who’ll spend the next few days analyzing moves and lapses in the fight.
To most others, who look only at the result, it was unqualified triumph for Manny.
‘National fist’
President Arroyo said “Pacquiao, the country’s gift to the world of boxing, buoyed the nation’s spirit.”
The “national fist” also happens to bring in a large purse, foreign currency equivalent to the cash several hundred OFWs pitch in for the dollar reserves.
Decidedly heartening to a president whose claim to a robust economy rests on those who slave abroad and send home their earnings.
And after dispiriting news of another impeachment filed against her, Manny’s win gives the Palace some cheer and the happy note in the President’s post-event speech.
In Cebu, the Pacquiao story bumped off Page 1 and broadcast news banners the story on drive-by killings.
But only briefly. Soon, impeachment, the barangay elections, and stupidities, like randomly shooting people from a moving vehicle, will rule media prime space and time again.
