PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, armed insurgents and common street folk found unity yesterday as they cheered for boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, then collectively grieved over his defeat to Mexico’s Erik Morales.
The sellout crowd that saw the fight at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas included Ms Arroyo’s husband Mike and dozens of Filipino lawmakers.
Pacquiao earned praise despite his loss.
Many Filipinos believed he would bounce back with the same ferocity that had earned him a string of boxing victories and turned him into an icon in his divided and poor country.
“I praise Manny Pacquiao’s courage, ability and fighting spirit,” Ms Arroyo said. “I am sure he will bounce back from his loss.”
“We cheer Manny as an outstanding Filipino. He sets an example of the toughness we need to surmount our trials and in fighting our way to become a strong Philippines,” she said.
In their hinterland strongholds, Marxist and Moro separatists took time out to monitor Print this story Send this story Write the editor View other stories
the bout over the radio.
“It’s sad because most of us expected he would win by knocking out his foe,” said Eid Kabalu, spokesperson of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which has been fighting for a separate homeland in the south.
Pacquiao hails from General Santos City in Southern Mindanao.
“It’s good he did not fall because that would have been more painful for us,” Kabalu said.
In many areas in Mindanao’s central region, villagers and rebels were glued to their radios, and some traveled to town centers to watch the boxing match on TV, Kabalu said.
Communist rebel spokesperson Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal said Pacquiao fought valiantly but lost, and if there were doubts about his defeat, Filipinos could seek a rematch.
International boxing referee Bruce McTavish summed it all up in a few words: “[Pacquiao] wasn’t his normal self … [He was] outboxed.”
McTavish, who watched the fight on pay-per-view television in Angeles City, where he is based, was the referee when Pacquiao demolished Fabbrakob Rakkiatgym of Thailand in Davao City in 2002.
In Manila’s streets, it was evident when Pacquiao landed a good punch by the howl of the crowd which yelled his name as they gathered around TV sets and radios.
At a shoe store in Manila’s Port Area, a crowd of about 30 men listening to a radio saw the first sign of trouble when Pacquiao suffered a cut in the fifth round.
When the final decision was announced, they dispersed quietly, some shaking their heads.
Lawmakers praised Pacquiao for putting up a good fight.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan said Pacquiao would remain one of the country’s “greatest sports heroes.”
“He makes us proud to be Filipinos, win or lose,” the senator said.
Said Senator Richard Gordon: “[His defeat would] make him a better fighter and a better champion in the future … There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
Lawyer Edgardo Pamintuan, the President’s adviser for external affairs, said the head cut suffered by Pacquiao was a decisive factor.
“That ruined Pacquiao’s fight,” he said.
Angeles City councilor Jay Sangil said Pacquiao was a victor in defeat.
“For 12 whole rounds, the world stood still and people saw only two countries — the Philippines and Mexico. Even for just a moment, Filipinos were able to forget their problems,” Sangil said.
Olongapo City businessman Ernesto Santillan said the country mourned Pacquiao’s loss.
“The whole Philippines will cry with Manny’s defeat. We should get even,” Santillan said.
Reports from Tonette Orejas, Ansbert Joaquin, Christine O. Avenda?o, TJ Burgonio and Inquirer wires
