Manny Pacquiao?s ninth-round victory over David Diaz was much-needed relief for a nation still reeling from the fury and devastation of typhoon ?Frank,? and President Arroyo could not hide her satisfaction as she once again hailed the Filipino boxing hero.
?What a masterpiece,? the President said after watching Pacquiao demolish his opponent en route to a record fourth world title.
?Manny once again showed the sterling quality of excellence of a Filipino at his best. We rejoice with the whole nation in his victory,? Mrs. Arroyo said in statement released by Press Secretary Jesus Dureza.
The Chief Executive and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, along with other members of the presidential delegation, watched the fight on television in San Francisco while waiting for their Philippine Airlines return flight to Manila.
The President and her delegation were in the United States for a 10-day working visit that included a meeting with US President George W. Bush at the White House.
Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez said Pacquiao united Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad.
?With our country experiencing tough times brought about by the recent disaster, Manny has given the country hope and pride once again by reminding us that we can be triumphant over any adversary we are facing,? Golez said.
?His hard work and determination have brought glory and respect to our country,? he said.
Senate President Manuel Villar joined the long list of government officials who lauded the phenomenal victory of Pacquiao. ?His win is a needed respite for the people ailing from the devastation and loss brought about by typhoon Frank.?
?Manny is an extraordinary Filipino. It is every Filipino?s honor to call him kababayan,? Villar, who was accompanying his daughter Camille in London, said.
Frenzy
The whole nation practically stood still as people stayed glued to their television sets watching the boxing icon demolish an eager opponent, who came to the battle armed only with grit and grim determination to avoid being added to the long list of Mexicans vanquished by Pacquiao?s devastating punching power.
In Manila, people braved the drizzle and cheered in front of the big screen in Plaza Miranda in downtown Manila.
Other establishments that offered pay-per-view screenings of the match were also filled to the rafters.
In Pangasinan, more than 3,000 people gathered at the cultural and sports center and watched the two fighters slug it out on a large screen.
?Of course, we are happy Pacquiao won again,? Engr. Rosendo So, president of the Eastern Pangasinan Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told The STAR after the fight.
Thousands of Pangasinenses were jubilant and cheers erupted as Pacquiao finally knocked down the bloodied World Boxing Council lightweight champion in the ninth round.
The dreary, rainy weather proved no match for Pacquiao?s flurry of lightning punches as public viewing places and theaters were jam packed in Mindanao.
The continuous downpour that started at dawn initially put a damper on the day in most areas in southern Philippines.
But when Michael Buffer sounded his popular line ?Let?s get ready to rumble,? people brightened up despite the gloomy, rainy weather.
?My arthritis is really bothering me, but excitement from the fight made forget the nagging pain caused by the cold weather because crowd did really heat up the day,? Sixto Calledo, a vendor said.
Pedicab drivers in Guiwan village were ready with their raincoats, not to drive but to stand outside a house equipped with cable TV hooked up to the boxing channel.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in its forecast said the rain was caused by easterly winds affecting eastern Visayas and Mindanao.
Radio reports from Central and Northern Mindanao reported all activities came to a halt as the main event begun.
Ceasefire
As if on cue, the fighting in the south temporarily took a breather as Communist rebels, Muslim separatists and Army troops in Central Mindanao took time out to watch the fight.
Eid Kabalu of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said his comrades monitored the Paquiao-Diaz fight over the radio in their hinterland strongholds in various parts of Mindanao.
?We are happy for the victory of Manny Pacquiao against Diaz. He is truly a great Filipino boxer produced by the Philippines,? said Kabalu.
Pacquiao lives in General Santos, a city in the south known for its booming tuna industry.
The MILF rebels expressed pride in Pacquiao for proving once again to the whole world that Filipinos are still ?the best? in the boxing arena.
Some Muslim leaders considered Pacquiao as another great ?Muhammad Ali,? a boxing legend.
Communist insurgents and upland villagers were also glued to their radios, monitoring the fight.
Army troops, including their officials, in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City (Socsksargen) area and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) were elated with the victory of their comrade.
Pacquiao is enlisted in the military service with the rank of Master Sergeant.
Boxing fans in various cities in Central Mindanao gathered inside congested restaurants, bars, hotels, coffee and barbers shops where the fight was being shown.
Inside the EMR Recreation Center in Koronadal City, a crowd of about 500 watching the fight on a big screen felt the early victory for Pacquiao after they saw a cut in the right eyebrow of Diaz.
EMR Recreation Center owner Edwin Romero said the customers paid P100 (with free lunch) to witness the fight on a big screen.
The fight turned the cities and municipalities into a virtual ghost towns as people, especially tricycle and jeepney drivers, left the streets for their favorite hang-outs to watch the match.
Only a few motorists were seen on the streets as most people stayed home to watch the fight on television. ? Christina Mendez, Marvin Sy, Cesar Ramirez, Rorel Pare?o, Ramil Bajo
