MANILA, Philippines—Filipinos savored Manny Pacquiao’s latest triumph, whooping it up wherever they were.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulated the boxing world’s pound-for-pound king, declaring that his victory showed yet again that “Filipino grit and determination triumph over great odds.”
“I hope we can all learn from his example so that, together, we can also move forward as a nation,” Ms Arroyo said in a statement issued in Singapore, where she was attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
In cinemas, bars, restaurants, town plazas, basketball courts and crowded neighborhoods across the country, millions of Filipinos erupted in wild cheers and thunderous applause after watching on TV or listening to radio broadcasts of Pacquiao’s win.
Officials of Manila Electric Co. said electricity consumption rose nearly 13 percent over normal weekend demand as life ground to a standstill while the fight was broadcast.
Traffic in the Philippine capital, as in other urban centers elsewhere, was light as traders, commuters, taxi drivers and even petty criminals took time out to watch Pacquiao demolish Miguel Cotto.
In Bacolod City, residents of a neighborhood ravaged by a fire that left 17 dead on Nov. 2 jumped for joy as they watched their hero’s spectacular triumph on TV in front of a razed boarding house.
“We have been in so much grief, but today we are so very happy because our idol won,” said jeepney driver Ruel Chavez, 45, who lost two sons in the fire.
“We are so happy and thankful he won, he might donate some of his winnings to help us here,” said Jojo Chavez, 15.
In Cebu City, an off-duty policeman, Police Officer 1 Gilbert Tagsip Igot, went overboard and was arrested after he fired his gun in the air to celebrate Pacquiao’s record seventh world title.
In Batangas City, businessman Cecilio Cabrera, 62, suffered a heart attack while watching the fight at Pontefino Hotel and died, police said.
Reason to celebrate
Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. thanked Pacquiao “for giving this nation, which has been battered by back-to-back calamities, a reason to celebrate and stand proud of the Filipino race.”
Sen. Francis Escudero said it felt “great to be a Filipino now” and hoped that Pacquiao’s “continued success should inspire those of us who are often easily disheartened by difficult challenges and setbacks in daily life.”
Sen. Richard Gordon said Pacquiao was able to show the nation that “honest hard work, heart, experience, drive, pride and heroic courage” were “elements of a leader of a craft which one has chosen.”
Sen. Pia Cayetano said the win “brings hope to a people badly in need of inspiration after being battered by two cyclones.”
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said Pacquiao was a “Philippine treasure that all should emulate.”
Speaker Prospero Nograles said in a text message from Las Vegas that the victory showed that Filipinos could overcome anything.
“At least for one brief shining moment, we in the Philippines forgot all our problems, troubles and political back-biting and fighting each other,” Nograles said.
A Senate draft?
Gary Olivar, Ms Arroyo’s spokesperson, said over state radio that it was the ruling party’s call whether to draft the boxing icon as a senatorial candidate in next year’s elections.
“We have exhausted all possible honors and awards that could possibly be heaped on Manny because of his many victories. So if the administration party would want to include him in its senatorial slate, that’s the decision of the ruling party,” Olivar said.
In Masses across the country, Filipinos prayed for the win. “I went to church early today for Manny’s victory,” said Angelo de los Santos, 51, a taxi driver.
Security forces were on alert in Metro Manila and police officers made the rounds in shopping malls and crowded neighborhoods.
“Historically, we register near-zero crime during Pacquiao’s actual match, but we sent out patrols to make sure no criminals will take advantage of the situation,” said Senior Supt. Leonardo Espina, Philippine National Police spokesperson.
A hero’s welcome
Giant screens were put up in gymnasiums and parks across the country by local politicians to win support from poor voters while lawmakers hurriedly approved the government’s budget bill last week as many planned to fly to Las Vegas for the fight.
Wilmer Joseph Tria, a priest in Naga City, said Pacquiao’s win “reflects Philippine elections: Bet, watch, go home. No real participation, no genuine democracy.”
At the gymnasium in Pacquiao’s hometown of General Santos City, fans jumped and shouted the moment the Filipino took control in the second round.
Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. promised to prepare a grand hero’s welcome in time for Pacquiao’s homecoming.
South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, who defeated Pacquiao in his congressional bid in the first district in 2007, said: “Thank you, Manny, for making us happy and proud once again.”
MILF: He’s a good boxer
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) also congratulated Pacquiao.
“He’s a good boxer. We are looking to him the same way as the other world’s boxing legends,” Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone.
“Boxing is a sport. But time will come someone stronger will fight him and he will definitely lose,” Jaafar said.
Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of the Archdiocese of Cotabato said: “Our prayers had been answered. We are proud of you Manny. Mabuhay ka!”
Even big businesses shared in the glow.
Said Aurelio Montinola III, president of Bank of the Philippine Islands and of the influential Bankers Association of the Philippines: “It shows the Filipino at his world-class best.”
Added Francis Lim, president of the Philippine Stock Exchange: “If we as a country can only have the discipline that Manny has shown, the Philippines can quickly gain the attention and respect of the global community the way Manny has deservedly done.”
‘Greatest Filipino’
“Manny is the greatest Filipino,” said Ramon Ang, president of San Miguel Corp.
“Gentlemanly yet ferocious. Humble though a champ. Pacman clearly showed to the world today the kind of stuff Filipinos are made of,” Bro. Eddie Villanueva, leader of Bangon Pilipinas Party, said in a statement.
Erwin Maray, 26, called Pacquiao the richest and most famous “overseas Filipino worker” who has again lifted the flagging spirits of his countrymen after a series of disasters.
“It’s like life is good again after all the misery. That’s what Manny Pacquiao does,” said Maray, who described him as a “billionaire OFW.”
Motorcycle dealer Divino Paton-og, 30, recalled that Pacquiao took time out from training to distribute relief aid to some typhoon victims.
“His charity work to help ‘Ondoy’ victims really paid off,” said Paton-og, whose house in Pasay City was inundated. “I just hope Pacquiao doesn’t get into politics anymore.”
No one expected a loss
Nine cinemas at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City were opened for the showing of the bout, two more than Pacquiao’s recent fights.
The crowd inside Cinema 4 was a boisterous one. Earsplitting screams, hoots and cheers filled the air each time Pacquiao landed a good punch. In each of the two times he scored a knockdown, the audience rose to its feet.
Streets were deserted as people crowded malls and other places where the match was aired live. According to Chief Supt. Benjardi Mantele, director of the Eastern Police District: “So far, crime rate has been zero.”
In Baguio City, where Pacquiao trained for three weeks, major streets were practically empty.
“No one here expected him to lose,” said Lian Florendo, a supervisor at the Shape Up Boxing gym in the 129-room Cooyeesan Hotel Plaza.
Hotel employees who attended to Pacquiao and his entourage last month each contributed P20 to watch the live telecast of the match.
In Benguet, Pacquiao’s victory was welcome news to the storm-battered town of Kibungan.
Fiesta time again
Access to Kibungan is still difficult because of a damaged bridge and road cuts, but its residents at the poblacion were able to watch the fight on a TV feed paid by the town government.
“It was good power supply was restored. Otherwise, many would complain,” said Kibungan Mayor Benito Siadto.
In Batanes, hundreds of Ivatans in the capital Basco town also watched the fight on TV, paid for by a local businesswoman.
“Jesus and Pacquiao are both great,” said Guillermo Ponce, who added that he prayed that Jesus would bless Pacquiao.
In Pampanga, Msgr. Damaso Jingco, parish priest of Our Lady of Pillar in San Fernando, noted that few attended the 8:30 a.m. Mass. Still, he asked the devotees to pray for Pacquiao’s victory.
In Isabela, some 3,000 people stomped their feet and erupted in cheers in Gamu town as Pacquiao was declared winner.
“It is fiesta time again,” Dominador Amigo, 29, of Upi village said. With reports from Christian V. Esguerra, Christine O. Avendaño, DJ Yap, Doris Dumlao, TJ Burgonio and Leila B. Salaverria in Manila; Vincent Cabreza, Elmer Kristian Dauigoy, Frank Cimatu, Maurice Malanes, Villamor Visaya Jr. and Juliet Cataluña, Inquirer Northern Luzon; Tonette Orejas, Charlene Cayabyab and Anselmo Roque, Inquirer Central Luzon; Gerald Gene Querubin, Madonna Virola, Karen Lapitan, Maricar Cinco, Jonas Cabiles Soltes, Clarice Colting-Palumbarit and Erika Lesaba, Inquirer Southern Luzon; Carla P. Gomez, Jhunnex Napallacan, Nestor Burgos Jr., Jani Arnaiz, Felipe Celino and Joey Gabieta, Inquirer Visayas; and Aquiles Z. Zonio, Charlie C. Señase, Jeoffrey Maitem and Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao
