Divided by politics and deluged with stories of unbridled corruption in government, the Filipino people finally found a reason to unite even if only for a day as they stayed glued to their television sets to witness Manny Pacquiao demolish Mexican slugger Juan Manuel Marquez in their World Boxing Council superfeatherweight championship bout at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Senate President Manny Villar said Pacquiao?s victory is a welcome respite from the successive blows of negative publicity that the nation has been getting in the international scene.
?We saw how Manny staggered over the blow, and we witnessed how he recovered amid blurred vision and ultimately emerged the victor. His latest conquest should inspire us to triumph over adversities facing us as a nation,? Villar said.
?We should emulate his feat as a fighter and a winner, however mighty the opponent will be. Faith in God and the people?s love and support fueled Manny to succeed. Our leaders should not lose sight of these essentials in governing this nation,? the Senate President said.
The win did not only make the Filipino proud, it also united the country amid various political conflicts and corruption issues hounding the Arroyo administration.
?Manny is a testament that with sheer hard work and discipline, the Filipinos can conquer the world. He inspired us to overcome our differences and come together as one nation. Now that we know that we can unite this way why should we limit ourselves to one boxing match?? Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan said.
Army elated, proud
Pacquiao?s win over the last Mexican standing had the 80,000 strong Philippine Army all over the country elated and feeling a deep sense of nationalistic pride.
?I could sense while watching the fight and upon (declaration of) Pacman?s victory, that once again, a genuine sense of nationalistic pride was generated. The kind of pride that provides inspiration, unites the whole nation and gives hope to everyone that greatness is possible amid enormous challenge,? Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano said.
?We shall await with enthusiasm the homecoming of Master Sgt. Pacquiao and prepare due recognition for another mission excellently done,? he added.
Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, army spokesman, said in a phone interview that they are studying the possible commendation that would be given to the Filipino ring hero since it is unlikely that he would be promoted again to the next rank considering that he is not a degree holder.
Pacquiao was promoted from reserve staff sergeant to master sergeant after his victory over Marco Antonio Barrera last year.
In Pangasinan, hundreds of farmers, feeds and fertilizer distributors, and exhibitors watched the fight at the huge screen set up at the ongoing Farmers Agricultural Exposition 2008 in barangay Carmen East.
Engineer Rosendo So, chairman of the agri-expo, said he was very happy that Pacquiao won.
?It was a close fight,? said So, adding that they decided to put up the large screen to benefit the farmers visiting the exhibit booths.
Relative peace in Mindanao
In Davao, the victory of Pacquiao sent thousands of fans into a frenzy while watching the fight on a giant screen at Rizal Park, fittingly capping the celebration of the 71st Araw ng Dabaw yesterday.
?This is our way of showing our support to Pacquiao,? Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said.
The fight turned Koronadal City into a virtual ?ghost town? for at least five hours after people left the streets for malls and business establishments to watch the match live.
Only few motorists were seen on the streets as most of the people stayed home to watch the fight on television.
In EMR recreation center here, a big screen projector was set up by the owner to give its customers a ?ringside? view of the fight. The customers paid P100 (with free lunch) to witness the fight.
Some police officers were seen monitoring outside the spacious air-conditioned malls and department stores, as they heard people cheering inside whenever Pacquiao hit Marquez.
Residents who don?t have televisions contented themselves in listening to Bombo Radyo Marbel that gave a blow-by-blow account of the fight in Ilonggo dialect.
In the cities of Tacurong and General Santos, tricycle drivers and street vendors rushed to their favorites eateries to watch the fight on a small colored TV set.
Police monitoring Zamboanga City described the situation as generally peaceful, saying there had been no recorded incidents. The island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi were also peaceful during the period, according to Police Superintendent Danilo Basa, spokesman for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
?People across the region were pre-occupied watching the bout on their TV sets,? Bacas said.
Eid Kabalu, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman, said MILF members took time to watch the fight in their camps. ?There was tranquillity in all areas where MILF members reside when the two boxers slugged it out.?
Traffic was light in the usually busy streets of Cotabato City and national highways leading to the neighboring provinces of Shariff Kabunsuan and Maguindanao after jeepney drivers opted to watch the fight instead of plying their route since there were no passengers anyway. ? Christina Mendez, James Mananghaya, Ramil Bajo, Cesar Ramirez, Roberto Dejon, Roel Pare?o, John Unson, Edtih Regalado
