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Monday, June 30, 2008
Boxing showdown provides temporary relief to traumatized family members
By Elisabeth P. Baumgart
CEBU CITY -- For the first time in a week of grief and anxiety, Leonida Cabatingan, 49, was on her feet jumping in joy as Manny Pacquiao emerged victorious in his bout with David Diaz.
As Diaz lay sprawled on the mat, family members of those feared trapped in the sunken mv Princess of the Orient cheered as the Filipino boxer won a title that firmly places him among boxing's legends.
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Families watched the Pacquiao-Diaz battle at the Cebu City action center, while waiting for updates about their missing loved ones and working on requirements for their viewing passes. It was an attempt to lift the depressing atmosphere that has been hounding the action center for days.
And it worked, momentarily.
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Cabatingan was on her feet every time Pacquiao delivered a punch at Diaz. She later admitted, however, that while the fight was entertaining, it still did not help her forget that she had lost her daughter, 19, to the tragedy.
"Ni-katawa ko, pero diay, na-sakitan ra gihapon ko (I could laugh yes, but that didn't mean I had stopped hurting)," Cabatingan told Sun.Star Cebu.
She said that her daughter, Narleen, 19, left for Manila two years ago without asking for her permission. Narleen left because she wanted to earn a living.
Narleen worked as an Internet café attendant and was scheduled to return to Cebu last week to join her sister for a trip to Bantayan Island.
Alma Rosales, 39, shared the same sentiments as Cabatingan. Though the fight entertained her and her family, she would much rather see her mother again.
"Nalingaw gyud mi, pero mas malipay mi kung ma-recover ang among mama (We were entertained, but we would be so much happier if our mother is found)," said Rosales.
Rosales said that her mother, Lucena, 56, was on her way back to Cebu after visiting her sister in Manila.
While hundreds cheered wildly at the action center as Pacquiao delivered his finishing blow, Venerando Gerodiaz, 26, felt nothing.
"Wala ra. Wala ko nalipay (No, that did not please me at all)," said Gerodiaz.
Gerodiaz said that it was impossible to enjoy the fight when they have lost somebody dear to them. "Lahi ra gyud ang feeling kung maglingaw-lingaw 'nya na kuhaan diay ka ug family member," Gerodiaz told Sun.Star Cebu.
Gerodiaz lost his mother-in-law, Marisa Magalasang, 50.
As Pacquiao's victory seemed imminent and Diaz appeared to stagger on the mat, the crowd erupted in cheers.
However, it was just before the ninth and final round when the happy mood was abruptly cut short. The television screen faded to black. Somebody had accidentally pulled the plug.
The crowd erupted, this time with loud complaints, right after Candelario Galera accidentally unplugged the TV.
With shaking hands, Galera plugged the TV set again amid the loud howls and complaints of the crowd. Luckily, Galera appeased his fellow viewers and the TV set came back to life. (EPB of Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. (June 30, 2008 issue)
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