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Philippines, 25 Nov 2024 |
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OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: PACMAN TO UNITE THE COUNTRY ONCE MORE By Eddie Alinea PhilBoxing.com Wed, 08 Apr 2015  LOS ANGELES, Cal. ? All attempts to unite the Philippines have failed. All of the country?s 17 presidents that alternately took turns in making the archipelago of 7,107 islands lying across the Western Pacific Ocean one didn?t succeed. One man though ? boxer Manny Pacquiao ? has succeeded in holding the entire nation spellbound whenever and wherever he fights for the past one and-a-half decades. From the time Pacquiao knocked out Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in the sixth round to bring the International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight crown to the Philippine shore in 2001, the now Sarangani Congressman has, almost always, held the country at a standstill in the many encounters he sees action against the best the prizefighting profession can offer. He fought 29 more times after his super-bantamweight conquest, winning 26 and losing three, one by knockout, but the Filipinos ? 100 million as of last count, plus 12 million more working overseas ? continue following him, celebrating with him in his victories and crying over his losses. Streets in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao virtually stopped with only a few taking to the roads only in cases of emergencies like not obtaining days off from their works or looking or restaurants, theaters to watch his fights. The military and rebels go to undeclared ceasefire with many from the mountains trekking down the lowlands and join the erstwhile enemies in public gymnasiums, open town plazas or improvised auditoriums where Pacquiao?s fights are shown. Those scenarios will again be repeated when the Filipino ring superhero climb the squared arena anew next month to battle unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a welterweight unification encounter set at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas, the winner of which will be crowned the ?Greatest Fighter? of all-time. Indeed, this capability of the only fighter to win 10 world crowns in eight weight divisions has been written and told over and over again as they arose. So why am I writing about them? Because this only proved that this man who rose from the deep hole of poverty to what he is now, looks the only man who can unite this nation which has been divided in all national issues that propped up since the time one can remember. Only recently, Pacquiao was able to unite all the giant local television networks to join hands in covering the biggest fight in boxing history against Mayweather set in May 2 in the United States? sin city of Las Vegas, thus, assuring that that contest can be brought to each and every household?s sala. In chasing, for five long years, and eventually forcing the undefeated American to face him, the Pambansang Kamao, likewise, proved that his influence and convincing power are not confined to his countrymen. He also made warring TV international networks to join efforts in presenting the fight to as many people possible throughout planet earth. oOo In the Team Pacquiao?s more than a month stay here in L.A., and this includes this Outsider, it?s as I we didn?t left the country to savor the taste of o our Filipino dishes. This is made possible with the sprouting of Pinoy-owned eateries serving the kind of foods we love as adobo, bulalo, pinakbet, sinigang nilaga, tinola and what have you. The one that stands out is the GOOD-HA!!! Express located at 3324 W. 6th Sts. here in L.A. Owned and being operated by the husband and wife team of Edwin Callanta and Angelina Munar, both nurses by profession. The Filipino fast food restaurant serves the best and the tastiest Filipino foods one can ask for. Ask Aquiles Zonio, public information officer of Cong. Pacquiao, who along with Jimmy Zuno, Dodong Librando and Clem Ascencio, all members of the Pacman?s security group, dine at the joint almost every morning. noon and night daily. By the way it was Homer Sayson, a former sportswriter from Cebu, who is now based in Chicago and works with NBA-Asia who tipped us of the place he frequents whenever there?s an NBA game here. So, when in L.A., visit GOOD-HA!!! And see for yourself. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.  |
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