* President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo considers Pacquiao as her inspiration
* MBCCI president Roberto “Bobby” Montelibano says Pacquiao’s victory is a good signal for business as his win would surely win back investors’ confidence in the country
* Opposition and administration representatives have filed a resolution commending the Filipino boxing superstar
“IF I need to fight everyday just to unite all of us, I will do that,” Pacquiao said in his appeal for unity amid political bickering and divisiveness in the country.
Pacquiao gave the comment when interviewed by Filipino reporters in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA after a thanksgiving mass tendered for his victory over Mexican boxing champion Erik Morales Saturday evening (Sunday afternoon Philippine time).
Pacquiao, in an interview over ABS-CBN, also said he simply offered his victory to God, the source of all his strength and power, and to his country, the Philippines.
Pacquiao toppled Morales on a technical knock out in the 10th round of their 12-rounder fight at the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas.
For Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) president Roberto “Bobby” Montelibano, Pacquiao’s victory is a good signal for business, as his win would surely win back investors’ confidence in the country.
Also, almost everybody in the country set aside negative issues, such as the proposed charter change, rumored coup attempt, the escape of the four Oakwood mutineers, Montelibano said, adding that “sports really unite us to become one.”
From Malaca?ang, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Gabby Claudio said Pacquiao’s victory is a signal for us to start to unite now.
The President has even said Monday that Pacquiao is her inspiration in continuing to fight for Filipinos and the future of the country despite attempts to put her down.
She said the whole nation rejoiced on the victory Pacquiao who also showed that with discipline, hard work and determination there are no impossible dreams.
Regardless of political affiliation, Pacquiao’s win sent a message to the country’s politicians to join hands to move the Philippines onward to progress, said Representative Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo Jr. of the 5th District of Negros Occidental.
Representative Jose Carlos “Kako” Lacson of the 3rd district of Negros Occidental, for his part, said, “Pacman made every one of us proud to be Pinoy.”
He also proved that Filipinos have really the ability to shine, said Gov. Joseph Mara?on.
Children’s bikes
Pacquiao, who is guaranteed to pocket $2 million in winning prize, is set to buy bicycles for his three kids in General Santos City.
“Tumawag sila kasi sa akin at gusto nila na bilhan ko sila ng bisekleta dito sa America,” (They called me up and asked me to buy them bicycles here in America) disclosed Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, prior to his rematch with Morales, had already bought one of the newest luxury vehicles in America, a Porsche that cost about P3 million in Philippine currency.
His wife Jinkee, on the other hand, planned to put up a restaurant in General Santos City, in addition to their family investments that already included money in the bank, a convenience store, a condo unit in Davao, house and lot in GenSan and Para?aque, a cock breeding farm in Sarangani Province and several luxury vehicles.
World sports celebrity
Pacquiao is now considered one of the world’s sports celebrities like Michael Jordan in basketball, Tiger Woods in golf, Oscar dela Joya in boxing, among others.
An ABS-CBN report said about 3,000 CDs of Pacquiao’s song entitled “Para Sa Yo ang Laban na To” were sold in Las Vegas.
T-shirts, caps, jackets, wristbands, among others, with Pacquiao’s name and picture, were also sold out in the US, the ABS-CBN report added.
In the country, the report said many companies now want Pacquiao to be their product endorser.
These on top of the present products already being endorsed by the People’s Champ, including Surf detergent bar, No Fear apparel, Dolly Tuna, Revicon-ION, Darlington socks, Alaxan, Circulan.
Second rematch
Pacquiao, on the other hand, expressed willingness to have a second rematch against Morales.
He, however, said it will depend on Morales whether the latter still wants a second rematch.
In the meantime, Pacquiao said, “I want first to have to a vacation with my family.”
Up for commendation
Meanwhile, General Santos-South Cotabato Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio Monday filed House Resolution 1091 endorsing a commendation for Pacquiao for his victory.
Custodio led other congressmen, both from the opposition and the administration, to push for the adoption of the resolution as Pacquiao restored the dignity and self-respect of Filipinos and making all his countrymen all over the world proud of their heritage.
“By his humility and genuine love for the Filipino masses, Manny has fully and completely endeared himself to our countrymen and serves as a unifying factors for the entire Filipino nation,” the resolution said.
Pacquiao, at the same time, should be commended for making the boxing match with Morales a contributing factor to make Filipinos united and forget their differences even in a short period of time.
In a separate resolution, administration congressman Eduardo Gullas (Cebu) also asked Congress to extend the highest commendation for Pacquiao for serving an inspiration to other aspiring boxers and athletes.
“Pacquiao’s victory provides a shining testimony to aspiring Filipino boxers and athletes and that discipline, hard work and uncompromising spirit can empower every Filipino to achieve their best goals and their noblest dreams,” he said. (With reports from Sunnex)
