Senator Richard Gordon hailed Manny Pacquiao for an admirable fight at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas saying that the young boxer has once again boosted the Filipinos? image abroad.
“Manny made us all proud,” said Gordon, adding that Pacquiao may have lost inside the ring by decision but he is a winner in every Filipino?s heart as he showed a venerable performance and earned the world?s respect.
Gordon commended Pacquiao for finishing the course with his head up high. “All Filipinos should salute him. He played fair and demonstrated confidence that did not make Morales? victory easy,” said Gordon.
Gordon said Pacquaio promoted abroad the image of the Filipinos as he ascertained the Filipinos as a strong contender in the field of sports. According to him, the enormous HBO sales established the strong Filipino market in the US considering that it was a non-title fight. He added that this phenomenon would recognize the Filipino market as an important constituency in the US and in the whole world.
“I would like to thank Manny Pacquiao for giving his all in this highly publicized fight against Mexican fighter Eric Morales. I believe that this resulted in awakening our countrymen on how to be proud to be a Filipino. Pacquiao is truly the modern day hero of our generation. He instilled to us the value of being proud to be a Filipino and for that, I consider him victorious,” said Philippine Tourism Authority general manager and chief executive officer Robert Dean Barbers.
Pacquiao, throughout his preparation for this fight, was consistent of being proud to carry the flag of our country up to the very end of the fight wherein he draped himself with the Philippine flag before the world openly declaring his patriotism to our country.
Barbers said that Pacquiao was able to spark national pride among Filipinos here and abroad and truly considers Pacquiao a national treasure.
“Pacquiao epitomized the resiliency of the Filipinos. He continued to fight with all his might despite suffering a vicious cut above his left eye while Filipino blood flowed down his face up to the end of the bout. His action was the defining moment of a true Filipino,” Barbers added.
Moreover, Barbers said Pacquiao placed the Philippines in the world map and somehow provided the needed tourism boost for our country.
“Definitely, boxing fans around the world is now witnessing a renaissance of the glorious days of Philippine boxing. Filipino boxing greats like Gabriel “Flash”Elorde, Pancho Villa among others have given a renowned recognition within the boxing community on how the Philippines produce great boxing legends. Pacquiao has definitely stirred the interest of a lot of foreigners to visit the Philippines,” Barbers said.
Senator Majority Floor Leader Francis Pangilinan said Pacquiao “fought a very good fight.”
” No matter what, Manny will always be one of our greatest sport?s heroes. He makes us proud to be Filipinos, win or lose,” said Pangilinan.
“We are behind him all the way and this doesn?t change how he always makes us proud to be Filipino.
“Sportsmanship is not just about winning. It?s also about fighting a good fight and Manny Pacquiao did just that.”
Senator Manny Villar said “for the Filipinos all over the world, Manny Pacquiao is still a champion.”
“He gave his best shot in his match with Erik Morales. And that alone makes him a winner in our hearts,” he said.
