MANILA, Philippines—If you’ still interested in watching the Pacquiao-Clottey fight this Sunday on pay-per-view in the comfort of your home, don’t try.
You’ve just lost your chance.
After days of asking around, I was finally told to dial Skycable PPV 6310000.
I did and called that special number Friday.
* * *
Instead of a definite lead info, the answering machine gave a circus of numbers.
After finally hitting the right button, an extensive wait followed. An operator responded and told this caller to wait while she inquired.
Sorry, we’ve just stopped accommodating requests for PPV subscription on Sunday, she said.
Why?
No more slots.
I asked if there was anything else we could do.
If you have a high-definition box, we will try to accommodate you.
* * *
I had to call Skycable after having received the following information earlier:
“PPV accommodation within Metro Manila only. Activation fee, P1,500, plus P5,000 if you have no HD (high definition) box.”
The same information said Skycable started to “offer residential PPV subscription only last March 2.”
* * *
You see, the original problem was that there was little or practically no information on how to get PPV subscription in the runup to Sunday’s big fight in Arlington, Texas.
“We put out advertisements over a month ago, there were also crawlers on Channel 11,” the operator explained.
She sounded vague.
She also failed to explain why the public was kept in the dark on how to get clear access to the live feed of the Pacquiao-Clottey fight from the Cowboys Stadium.
* * *
“Before, you could get it at a drop of a hat, madali, walang problema,”said trader Peter Tanyao, originally from San Fernando City, La Union, and now based in Mandaluyong City.
Time was when Tanyao, his friend Boy Subero and a few other beer buddies could enjoy Pacquiao fights live in the comfort of a living room.
They badly wanted to.
“OK, we could watch the fight delayed on free TV. Problem is, you’ve already downed three beers by the time they’re done with one burst of commercials, lasing ka na,” Tanyao quipped.
* * *
No, this Pacquiao fanatic was not about to give up.
But he’s wondering why authorities could not do anything against bigtime profiteers who deprive the public the thrill of enjoying Pacquiao fights live.
Indeed, this sports fan has been injured by poor public service.
Justice delayed is justice denied.
The absence and delay of televised information on Pacquiao’s triumphs amounts to a trampling of the people’s rights.
