Prison inmates, former Muslim rebels and ordinary citizens stopped whatever they were doing yesterday morning to watch on television Filipino boxing hero Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao demolish Mexican Erik Morales in three rounds of excitement.
Filipinos erupted into cheers as thousands of boxing fans watched the delayed live telecast of the Las Vegas fight between Pacquiao and Morales.
Text messages from cell phones later spread the word that Pacman had won.
From Hanoi, where she was attending the 14th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leader?s summit, President Arroyo said: “My heart beats with extreme joy with another victory for the Philippines.”
Mrs. Arroyo congratulated both fighters for a “battle well fought.”
Across the country, people cheered as Pacquiao won via a third-round knockout over Eric “El Terrible” Morales who suffered a terrible beating from the Filipino southpaw. The bout was the third meeting of the two featherweight boxers in 20 months.
The fight was broadcast live in selected cinemas and shopping malls and via the pay-per-view telecast, and for free on television sets and video screens set up in local gymnasiums and public areas in Metro Manila and other urban centers and major towns.
More than 18,000 inmates of the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City were allowed to leave their detention cells to watch the Pacquiao-Morales fight live via satellite for free.
Three huge video projectors, each measuring about six meters by four meters, were set up at the maximum security and medium security compound?s gymnasium and open field.
Bureau of Corrections (BOC) director Vicente Vinarao said he decided to let the prisoners watch the much-awaited boxing match as a special gift to fellow Filipinos who want to see how Pacquiao again brings honor and pride to the country.
“Filipinos are proud of him (Pacquiao) and even our underprivileged inmates deserve to enjoy watching the bout. It?s a feast here, everybody is in a festive mood,” he told The STAR.
He said several rich inmates like former congressman Romeo Jalosjos, who is celebrating his birthday on Nov. 24, provided funds for the video projector and even treated the inmates from his cell with free packed lunch and fruits.
Vinarao said he received reports that some inmates even engaged in “underground” betting.
“Hindi ko naman mapipigilan yun, eh. Alam namin, naririnig namin na meron pero sikretong-sikreto, eh. Nagbubulungan lang sila (I can?t stop them. We?ve been hearing about it but it?s very secret. They pretend to see nothing),?? he said.
He said there were rumors that the bets were so much in favor of Pacquiao that a P600 bet for Morales would have won P1,000.
Though no one tried to escape the facility by taking advantage of the circus atmosphere, Vinarao said jailguards manning the perimeter outpost were doubled for security reasons. Ringing the prison is an electrically charged perimeter fence designed to discourage escape attempts.
In Mindanao, former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) guerrillas cheered for Pacquiao, who hails from General Santos City and is also regarded as a “true Moro” warrior.
Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, secretary-general of the MNLF, said while Pacquiao is a Christian many Muslims believe that Moro blood runs through the veins of Pacman who is a Visayan-speaking native.
Sema led hundreds of MNLF members who watched the bout at the city plaza.
“For the MNLF, there is no single Visayan in all parts of Visayas that did not have a Moro ancestor. Muslims were everywhere in what are now Visayas and parts of Metro Manila before the Spaniards came in the 15th century to establish a colony,” Sema said.
Sema, clarified, however, that Moros look up to Pacquiao as a symbol of bravery and strength and not as an idol. Idolatry is forbidden in Islam.
“Paquiao symbolized the Moro people. He has humility in victory. A Moro warrior is sober and humble in victory,” said Ustadz Ibrahim, who, along with his three sons, watched the fight at the city plaza.
Superstitious folks, however, keep on insinuating that Pacquiao has amulets which make him strong and unstoppable in the ring.
“Look at how Morales got terribly shaken. He (Morales) was disoriented in the second round as if he was out of his mind. That was the effect of the powers of amulets,” said local faith healer Assam Sendig.
In Quiapo, Manila, where many devotees religiously go to church on Sunday morning, 68-year-old Ligaya Buco skipped the early Mass and watched, along with hundreds of other people, the Pacquiao-Morales fight which was shown on a huge electronic billboard of the Mercury Drugstore at the Plaza Miranda, adjacent to Quiapo Church.
“I went to Quiapo as early as 5:30 a.m. to escape traffic and secure a place at the Plaza Miranda to watch the bout,” said Buco, a housewife from Quezon City.
Manila City Hall employees distributed small Philippine flags and Mrs. Buco waved a flag when Pacquiao won.
Buco, an avid fan of Pacquiao, said she even brought packed lunch so she wouldn?t have to leave her place in the crowd as soon as the fight started.
Mrs. Buco said she would attend the Mass right after the bout, adding she had already prayed for Pacquiao?s victory before leaving their house.
Meanwhile, Inspector Romeo Ricalde, newly installed Plaza Miranda police commander, said he deployed several uniformed policemen and at least 20 plainclothes officers to secure the area and prevent pickpockets and snatchers from victimizing the people.
Ricalde said about 1,500 to 3,000 went to watch the fight at Plaza Miranda.
He said they had coordinated with traffic officers to prevent the buildup of traffic along Quezon Blvd. near Plaza Miranda.
Representatives from Tanduay Distillers Inc. distributed 50 cases of 350 ml Barcelona Brandy to selected bystanders to celebrate Pacquiao?s victory.
Arnel Bagtas, sales supervisor, said they will make sure that the liquor will be distributed properly right after the fight with the help of the police.
Ronnie Yapaicon and his friend Jomar Berlin also rejoiced after Pacquiao won.
“Pacquiao is really in a better mood during the bout,” Berlin said.
Officials in Manila and Pacquiao?s southern hometown of General Santos City promised a hero?s welcome for the champion.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, who joined hundreds of fans watching the live feed at San Andres Sports Complex, said: “We will give him (Pacquiao) a hero?s welcome, a superstar?s welcome, a friend?s welcome.”
Atienza had also set up other viewing areas for the bout at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Coliseum.
“It was a good fight although as early as the first round it?s very evident that Pacquiao will win the bout because Morales appeared very weak, probably because he had abruptly lost weight,” said architect Allen Oblena.
Marina Garcia, a 53-year-old teacher, said Morales should now retire after he lost.
“Ang galing ni Pacquaio, iboboto ko siya pag tumakbo siyang vice mayor of Manila (Pacquiao is fantastic. I will vote for him if he runs for vice mayor of Manila),” Emil Lingad, a Manila student said.
There was a “standing room only” audience at various cinemas in Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Makati, Muntinlupa, Malabon and San Juan.
Everywhere people chanted the name of Pacquaio after the Pacman was declared the winner.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan said Pacquiao is truly the Filipino people?s champion.
“He proved to the world that Filipinos are capable of achieving greatness when we set our hearts and minds to it.”
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, likewise, said that Pacquiao?s splendid victory showed that the Filipino is a world class performer. “We are proud of him as a Filipino but even more proud because he is from Mindanao.”
In Dagupan City, thousands of residents rejoiced when Pacquiao nailed Morales as residents watched the bout on public television sets at the Malimgas market and the CSI The City Mall.
Local appliance stores also turned their televisions sets on to let passersby watch the fight. – With reports from Helen Flores, Mayen Jaymalin, Edith Regalado, Cesar Ramirez, Edu Punay, Christina Mendez, AP
