‘Go, Pacman’

Even for an hour or two, hundreds of typhoon evacuees in Cebu and Lapu-Lapu cities’ evacuation centers can take their minds off their troubles and enjoy watching for free the live telecast of Manny Pacquiao’s comeback fight today.

Two large TV screens will be set up in the sports complex of barangay Tinago in Cebu City where 250 displaced residents from Leyte are staying.

“The free screening is only for them as well as for our volunteers and donors who helped the evacuees inside the complex,” said Joel Garganera, incoming barangay captain.

In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza also put up TV screens for free public viewing of the Pacquiao-Rios fight in the city’s four evacuation centers in barangays Looc, Mactan, Suba-Basbas and Babag.

Pacquiao is dedicating this fight to the country and victims of supertyphoon Yolanda.

Gratitude

Anthony Hermosilla, 45, of Palo, Leyte together with his wife and five children was among the families staying in the Mactan covered court.

His family arrived on a Navy boat in Lapu-Lapu City last Wednesday.

“Nagpasalamat gyud mi dako sa Lapu-Lapu city han ila bulig sa amon (We are thankful to Lapu-Lapu City government for their help to us),” Hermosilla said.

At least 500 individuals occupy evacuee centers in Lapu-Lapu city, most of them staying in the covered courts. Other barangay residents can watch the live TV screening, said Jonji Gonzales, the mayor’s spokesman.

CINEMAS, hotels, PAY-PER-VIEW

Meanwhile, cinemas in Cebu malls also offer live screening of the fight for P400 to P500.

SM City Cebu charges P500 for watching in Cinema 7 and SM City Consolacion Cinema 3. This is the same ticket price as in the previous Pacquiao fight.

In Ayala Cebu, a ticket to watch the fight in Cinema 2 will cost P400.

Ayala Cinema manpower supervisor Beth Dayday said more than 50 percent of the tickets were sold by Saturday noon.

Skycable Cebu offers pay-per-view to subscribers at P999.

Rajah Park Hotel in Cebu City has free screening for their in-house guests who buy at least P200 worth of food in the restaurant.

The Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Cebu City offers free screening for special guests by invitation.

Tacloban too

In Tacloban City, cable operators and GMA 7 also set up TV screens in the Astrodome, near a church, and in other landmarks to broadcast live Pacquiao’s comeback fight.

The Pacquiao-Rios fight in Macau will also be viewed live on the grounds of Tacloban City Hall.

About 300 families or 1, 464 evacuees are still taking shelter at the Astrodom.

“We are doing this so that even for an hour or so, our people can forget the misery brought to us by Yolanda,” said Tacloban City Vice Mayor Jerry Yaokasin said.

Yaokasin said he hoped the Filipino boxing icon would win the match as this would “inspire our people during this time of tragedy.”

Supertyphoon Yolanda left more than 5,000 people dead or missing. /with Correspondent Edison delos Angeles and AP report