Monday, January 23, 2006
Pacquiao's win unites crisis-weary RP
CEBU CITY -- By winning against Mexican boxer Erik Morales in a rematch Sunday, Manny Pacquiao succeeded where the country's leaders have so far failed. He unified the Filipino people.
Pacquiao stopped Morales with a flurry of punches in the 10th of their 12-round rematch in Las Vegas to avenge a defeat to the Mexican fighter 10 months ago.
Pacquio's win drew cheers from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, mountain-based guerrillas and the rich and poor alike.
Traffic ground to a halt and feuding political factions briefly put aside their differences.
"Thank you, Manny, thank you," Arroyo told Pacquiao in a telephone call minutes after he was proclaimed winner.
"Thank you for the honor you gave to our country," said Arroyo.
The win was a rare piece of good news for Arroyo, who has struggled for months amid a crisis over vote-rigging and corruption allegations.
Arroyo and her husband (who saw the fight ringside) have been high-profile supporters of Pacquiao and other athletes.
Spirit
Shops in many parts of the country closed early, while in Pacquiao's General Santos home town, televisions were set up in markets and in barber shops for the public to watch their idol win in a technical knock out in the 10th round.
"I join Filipinos from every corner of the Philippines and the world in congratulating Manny Pacquiao on his very convincing victory," Arroyo said after watching the match on television.
"Manny's triumph exemplifies the indomitable fighting spirit of the Filipino, not just in the field of sports, but also in every field of struggle for excellence," she said.
Arroyo's husband, Jose Miguel, led several Filipino politicians and prominent personalities in watching the fight in Las Vegas.
Eid Kabalu, spokesman of a Muslim separatist group in the south, said he and many of his comrades rejoiced over Pacquiao's win.
"There is no doubt we can be united over some things. We don't have to quarrel all the time," he said over the telephone.
Pacquiao completed the victory at 2:33 of the 10th round, taking his record to 41-3-2, including 33 wins inside the distance.
Cheers
In Cebu, people watched the fight either at home, on wide screens mounted in plazas, or at malls airing a live telecast of the fight.
As early as 6 a.m., thousands waited for SM City Cebu to open four cinemas that showed the live telecast. They paid P300 for each ticket.
Each cinema could seat at least 1,000 people.
Tequila Joe's at the Ayala Entertainment Center also offered a live telecast, for an entrance fee of P150.
Some barangays put up wide screens in their sports complexes, for neighborhoods to watch the fight on local television, although that telecast was delayed by several minutes.
At least 100 people who failed to buy tickets for the SM City Cebu shows waited outside the theaters for the result.
As the audiences inside the cinemas cheered, the people outside also cheered and clapped their hands, knowing Pacquiao was doing well-though they could not see a thing.
United
Paz Cuizon, 64, from Barangay Pasil, Cebu City, her husband and 11 nephews were among those who went to SM for the telecast. But she chose to stay outside, fearing Pacquiao might be beaten to a pulp and she might not be able to bear the sight.
"Wala ko misulod. Nagpaabot lang ko sa gawas kay maguol ko makakita ni Manny (Pacquiao) masumbagan. Magsakit akong dughan," Cuizon said while rubbing her hands, anxious to hear the match results.
She later said Pacquiao's victory did not only bring pride to the country, but lifted the dignity and morale of the Filipino people.
Ted, who came all the way from Tacloban City, said Pacquiao proved himself as a model athlete once again.
Spouses Jack and Elvira Pracuelles, from Alumnus, Barangay Mambaling, said they were very proud of Pacquiao and of the country while watching the match.
"Nakapahiusa sa mga tawo (Pacquiao united the people)," Chief Inspector Crisaleo Tolentino, of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Central Visayas, said. He was at SM for the telecast.
Super
Former Cebu City councilor George Rama, who also at SM, said the government must learn from Pacquiao's victory and support the country's athletes.
Rama, a close friend of Pacquiao, said he spoke with the fighter hours prior to Sunday's match, and that Pacquiao told him he aimed to beat Morales either in round five or six.
"Super condition kaayo siya. Milaban gyud siya sa katawhan nga misuporta niya," Rama said.
Mexico's Morales, who won by a unanimous decision in a 12-round brawl with Pacquiao last March, fell to 48-4, with 33 wins inside the distance.
With the victory, Pacquiao was installed as the World Boxing Council's number one contender in the super featherweight division, a title held by Mexico's Marco Antonio Barrera.
Pacquiao had previously defeated Barrera in a non-title match. (JST/With AFP and AP)
(January 23, 2006 issue)
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