MANNY Pacquiao knocked out Erik Morales in the tenth round of their return bout in Las Vegas last Sunday.
It was an ecstatic moment for all Filipinos at home and around the world.
First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson, and other Filipino dignitaries climbed up the ring to give Pacquiao a victory hug.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was on the phone to immediately congratulate Pacquiao and cite him for making every Filipino proud.
Pacquiao profoundly thanked the President for the support and inspiration that she has been giving him.
Pacquiao also thanked the Filipino people for their prayers and moral support.
Pacquiao then appealed for unity and understanding among all Filipinos. “Sana po ay magkakaintindihan na tayong lahat,’’ he exclaimed.
The victory of the bakery assistant from General Santos City was indeed a victory for the entire Filipino nation.
No other Filipino victory in sports or elsewhere was as heralded as the one that Pacman won last Sunday.
Filipinos from every walk of life, including President Gloria and most of the members of her Cabinet, were all glued to their television screens for the fight.
Last Sunday, roads were empty and so were the malls as people throughout the archipelago congregated around their TV sets, or where there are TV screens.
Even communist rebels and Muslim secessionists were reported to have taken time out of their revolutionary activities to root for Pacquiao.
Never in recent history were Filipinos so united and, even connected, to each other than last Sunday when Pacquiao mounted that stage to do battle with the Mexican who was equally rooted for in his own country.
As the entire nation gasped in pain everytime Pacquiao was hit, so was their collective sense of jubilation everytime the Filipino hero connected.
As first proven by our collective national pride in the victory of our athletes in the recent Southeast Asian games, sports appears to be our greatest unifier.
And so, if we can be united in sports, why could we not be united as a nation?
Especially so, because this is the very same call that Pacquiao is asking all of us to do.
If we no longer listen to both our politicians and preachers, can we not hearken to the call of our sports heroes?
Incidentally, plans are now afoot to bring the next big Pacquiao fight here in Manila itself.
No less than the First Gentleman, who is now the foremost patron of sports in the country, is spearheading it.
In a text message from Las Vegas sent to this columnist, the First Gentleman said, “We are working on bringing the next fight of Pacquiao in the Philippines.’’
Pacquiao is scheduled to fight again in July. Either another rematch with Morales as provided for in their contract. Or to finally confront the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Flyweight title holder, Marco Antonio Barrera, who is also from Mexico.
In the meantime, let us do two things. Prepare to give Manny a hero’s welcome. And most importantly, let us heed his call for national understanding.
Manny is not only a sports hero. Indeed, he is also emerging as the foremost apostle for national unity.
Manny has not failed us. Now, we should not also fail him.
