BACOLODNONS celebrated Sunday the victory of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao who defeated Mexican boxer Erik “El Terible” Morales in a rematch held at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas, USA.
The jampacked city hall ground emitted an aura of unity for the Bacole?os who witnessed the triumph of their beloved countryman and fellow Bacole?o, Pacman being an adopted son here.
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For Fe Gotobat, a 27-year-old cigarette vendor, nothing compares to the joy that the Filipino pug brought to his countrymen.
“The cigarettes I was selling were even sold out because of Pacquiao,” she said in Hiligaynon.
Gotobat was among the more than 1,500 spectators who watched the 12-round bout through a large TV screen that was purposely set up in front of the city hall.
Serena Galvez, a Barangay Bata resident, even came with her daughter and husband.
“We left our house just to watch Pacquiao fight with Morales,” she said.
The show was not a letdown as Pacman, her favorite boxer, triumphed.
“His victory is the victory of the Filipino people. He is outstanding and a very tough guy…I am happy for him,” she said.
The spectators did not even mind the unrelenting heat of the sun as they waited patiently for the Pacquiao-Morales portion of Sunday’s boxing bouts.
They could not help but raise their hands in applause every time they saw Pacquiao plant a smoldering jab against Morales.
They jumped, clapped, danced and shouted with glee when Pacquiao made successive punches against Morales.
When the battle was over, the spectators left with big smiles, satisfied with the result of the game. It confirmed Pacquiao’s supremacy in the ring. They referred to Pacquiao as both the greatest Filipino boxer and a hero.
Around 1,500 people also trooped to Libertad, Burgos and Central public markets, where TV screens were also ordered set up for the boxing event.
At the Central Market, Bacole?os stood for hours from the preliminary fight until the main event. At the Libertad and Burgos markets people were jostling at one another to get a better view of the fight.
Pacquiao defeated Morales in the 10th of the 12-round fight. Morales had beaten Pacquiao in March last year.
But Pacquiao has well shown what he is made of as he made his revenge gracefully on the ring. The Filipino boxing champion made $2 million for the fight.
Meanwhile, Mayor Evelio Leonardia called several times from Las Vegas to inquire if the live coverage show was successful.
Leonardia reiterated that Bacole?os should rally behind Pacquiao because he is an adopted son of Bacolod.
