IN A time when the country is rocked by coup rumors and getting a beating in the economy and stock markets Manny Pacquiao’s victory is a welcome breath of fresh air that’s sure to keep the spirits of Filipinos up long after the smoke of victory cleared.
A Pacquiao loss would have further contributed to the heavy feeling of despair and apathy of Filipinos who have already been saddled with so much bad news that one more would have made not a few people suicidal.
Kidding aside a Pacquiao loss would have, as sports analysts pointed out Sunday, reduced his stature as a national sports figure and a symbol of greatness that Filipinos can be proud of before the world.
One can only surmise what went through Pacquiao’s mind as the opening bell rang and he went to the middle of the ring to do battle with a supremely confident Erik “El Terrible” Morales.
After having narrowly lost to the Mexican champ it could lead to some doubts about one’s capacity to beat him again. There was also that possibility that Manny could be too eager to go for an early knockout if only to prove himself but it could also leave him open to a surprise “sucker punch”–that punch that comes out of nowhere and floors an opponent as suddenly and easily as lightning hits a man on a stormy day–and end his dreams of boxing glory.
Thankfully that wasn’t the case in this now historic match. There were early reports that Morales had been overweight, that he barely managed to make the 130 pound featherweight limit whereas the more disciplined Pacquio easily cleared the scales with at least two pounds to spare despite full meals of sinigang manok and bulalo.
That being the case all that extra “padding” perhaps made Morales a lot harder to punch as evidenced by the sore fists experienced by Pacquiao after the match. Still it was worth it and the effort was all the more laudable.
What perhaps spoiled Saturday’s victory was the appearance of crusty politicos and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo at the ringside, which made it a veritable impromptu political rally of sorts.
Which makes people wonder anew about who paid for their tickets and hotel as well as travel expenses this time. We wouldn’t be surprised if they show receipts proving to all and sundry that they paid their expenses from their own pockets or so they claim.
But let’s not dwell on that pathetic little sideshow for now. What is important is that Pacquiao won and vindicated not only himself but vicariously the Filipino people as well as he disproved the naysayers who said he couldn’t win. To Pacquiao and the Filipinos mabuhay tayong lahat!
