Thank You, Manny

The nation needed a break, even from the barrage of news reports, features and comments regarding typhoon Yolanda. Even the million peso face of Aling D became a welcome sight for the first time.

It did not matter that the chosen opponent was a punching bag, as Freddie Roach described him before the fight. We have to thank Brandon Rios for brushing off the best that the Pacman could dish out.

For while probably some of us wanted no less than a knock out, I personally was happy that the fight lasted the whole route. Manny was a sight to see with his foot and hand speed.

How many times did it happen that after being hit and Rios was about to counter-punch, only to find that his opponent was no longer before him.

Fortunately for Manny, he did not promise to donate so many dollars or pesos for every punch that he landed, just like what the gentle Spaniard Pau Gasol did in the Lakers-Warriors game.

With the number of left-rights that Manny dished out, it would have meant a substantial deduction from his purse.

It also helped that Rios was a showoff because it gave us more motivation to cheer for every piece of leather that landed in his face.

So there I was, feeling in communion with the millions of Filipinos who were behind Manny Pacquiao. I can sense the cheers every time he landed a punch. I could also feel them flinching the few times that Rios was able to land something.

This was probably what the crowd felt when Adolf Hitler spoke to his minions, or with Evita Peron in the height of their popularity.

It could have been what the fortunate crowd, who witnessed the Sermon on the Mount, felt listening to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Luckily, the adulation of the crowd has only made Manny more humble and God fearing.

A new item for discussion is how many years or fights are left for our national treasure. One part of me wants him to have more fights and give us more wonderful moments like the other Sunday afternoon. On the other hand, we do not want him to end up like Muhammad Ali.

Well, at least Manny will have one more fight, and he wants it under the light and glitter of Las Vegas.

I was wondering why the fight was held in Macau. I suppose with only an international title at stake, Las Vegas would be too hallowed.

Who then was in the audience?

Am sure there were a lot of Filipinos due to the proximity and ease of going there. Did the Chinese flock and became Manny Pacquiao converts?

If this were the case, Cong. Manny could be a useful member of any Philippine panel to negotiate with China regarding the Spratlys.

Again, thank you Manny Pacquiao for the blessed moments that you gave all of us.