Danny Saracin, a second-hand book seller from Manila, was beside himself with joy. With tears welling up in his eyes he said: “Manny carries the pride of the entire Filipino nation. He is our hero, the only one we have, and are we desperate for heroes right now.”
For just under an hour yesterday morning the Philippines came to a halt to watch their man Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao rewrite the history books to become the only fighter in history to claim world titles in seven weight divisions with a TKO over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in the 12th round of their WBO welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.
Patrons of a small bar in Legaspie Village, Makati, were beside themselves with joy. The owner of the bar, Dom, said: “When he fights Filipinos forget their problems and come together.”
Packed with Filipinos and one foreigner they sat around tables watching the fight on a flat screen TV ducking their heads with each blow Pacquiao rained down on Cotto. Wild roars erupted when Cotto went down and an even bigger roar went up when Pacquiao won the fight.
Children sat with their parents to watch although most of them seemed bemused by all the fuss.
It was a scene probably repeated around the country. In the Philippines Pacquiao is not just a boxer, he is the pride of the country. One patron said: “Pacquiao makes me proud to be a Filipino. He is not only fighting for himself but for the entire nation.
“The country is not perfect but at least to the outside world they can see another side of the Philippines and not one which is constantly hit by natural disasters.”
Although she failed to watch the fight, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo joined the nation in rejoicing over Pacquiao’s win. Her press secretary Cerge Remonde, who is with Arroyo attending the APEC conference in Singapore, told local radio that the president hopes Pacquiao’s triumph should serve as an inspiration to the nation.
“The president failed to watch the fight but she joins with the entire nation in rejoicing his victory,” he said. “Once again, Filipino grit and determination triumphed over great odds. May this serve as an inspiration to the entire Filipino nation, especially the youth,” Remonde quoted the president as saying.
The army also congratulated Pacquiao who is a Master Sergeant in the Philippine Reserves. In a statement the army said: “He has displayed the courage and determination of a true Filipino warrior.”
