Fans across the Philippines were thrilled Sunday after boxing hero Manny Pacquiao beat Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera in a grudge match that brought much of this Southeast Asian nation to a standstill.
President Gloria Arroyo led the chorus of congratulations, immediately issuing a statement from the Palace where she watched the super featherweight bout with family.
?Manny Pacquiao once again buoyed the nation?s spirit with his excellent fighting form and indominatable spirit,? Mrs. Arroyo said, calling the 28-year-old slugger the country?s ?national fist.?
House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. also hailed Pacquiao as a ?truly remarkable champion whose courage, skill and discipline make him a hero for all.? De Venecia said, ?Pacquiao fought an intelligent and well-calculated fight, and showed no fear when Barrera took the fight to him in the early rounds.?
For his part, Sen. Mar Roxas said in statement, ?This great Filipino boxer deserves a hero?s welcome, not only for successfully defending the title but also for creating a special bond among Filipinos, here and abroad.?
Around the Philippines, guns fell silent as the military temporarily halted its campaign against Islamic militants in the South to watch the fight, which was beamed live via satellite from Las Vegas to national Army headquarters.
Many streets were nearly empty as bus drivers stopped work to watch, while construction workers at a building in Manila?s Makati financial district called a special lunch break to enable workers to cheer their hero.
