PRESIDENT Arroyo on Sunday heaped praise on Manny Pacquiao and two other Filipinos who won in the “Double-Trouble” boxing event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, which provided her with a much-needed positive face to the public after the political storm she weathered in the past weeks.
Mrs. Arroyo congratulated Pacquiao on two televised occasions after his sixth-round win over Mexico’s Hector Velasquez in their super-featherweight encounter. She called Pacquiao immediately after the bout and informed him of her delight in the knockout victory.
The President said the Lord heard her prayers for Pacquiao to win and stressed the fight was not just his own battle, but also of the whole Filipino people.
The whole country, Mrs. Arroyo said, is one in celebrating his victory.
Besides from Pacquiao, the President also congratulated Filipino American Brian Villoria and Bohol native Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, who also won their fights in the preliminary bouts.
She said their victories made it a triple celebration for the Filipino people.
“Hindi nabigo ang pag-asa nating lahat. Minsan pang napatunayan sa mundo ang husay at tatag ng Pilipino. Dahil sa inyo tumingkad ang dangal ng bawat Pilipino [Our hopes did not go to waste. We proved to the world again the skill and strength of the Filipino. Because of all of you, Filipino pride has risen],” the President said.
Joining the Pacquiao bandwagon, Senators Richard Gordon and Francis Pangilinan also congratulated the native of General Santos City. Pacquiao is looking forward to a rematch with the Mexican icon, Erik Morales, in January next year.
Morales, however, lost the other half of the “Double-Trouble” card when he bowed to former US Olympian Zahir Raheem, who scored a unanimous decision victory.
Senator Gordon said Pac?quiao should serve as a shining example to Filipinos.
“Manny is sensational. It’s a great day for the Philippines. He should be an example to all Filipinos, in that if you work hard you will win,” he said.
Pangilinan, the Senate majority floor leader, said Pacquiao proved to the world what Filipinos could achieve if they set their hearts and minds to it.
“Pacquiao’s victory is a cause for celebration. He is truly the Filipino people’s champion. At a time when we yearn for heroes, Manny showed us that hero is just inside us all along,” he said.
“He deserves more than a hero’s welcome. He is an inspiration to the country—a world champion in every sense of the word. A sports icon we should all be proud of,” Pangilinan added.
