As the streets went silent, and most probably as the criminals went into Manny Pacquiao viewing mode to watch the pride of The Philippines go up against The Pride of Britain Ricky Hatton, this writer watched a different scenario play out on the other side of the world. While one nation may have been gripped by the two round bout, another nation was clueless except for the boxing enthusiasts of course, and those who regularly get advertisement of the fight on HBO, as well as for overseas Filipinos.
I watched the fight at a Filipino friend’s place and brought a buddy along. Indeed in a fight like this, it seems almost like a fiesta when Filipinos gather. And they gather because for one man only. If only the pope had a better right hook, maybe he could get such a huge gathering on a Saturday evening.
This was a much needed respite for Filipinos, from the realities that they face on a daily basis. Manny has indeed proven himself the best pound for pound fighter as he twice knocked down Hatton in the first round, and then scored probably one of the greatest knockout punches for quite some time now to close out the second round and probably Ricky Hatton’s career in the ring.
Freddie Roach was right, the fight would not go past the third round, and not only was he right, but he was emphatically correct on the claim of knockout.
As I awoke around two hours ago, and as I usually do, I turned the radio on, I heard our very own Howie Severino of GMA 7 on The BBC Network News on radio, where he was introduced as a boxing enthusiast as well as a reporter from The Philippines. He was of course elated by the win, and how he had been following the fight online and through twitter since our local stations kept plugging away at the commercials and thus the fight could not be seen live.
He was then asked about the political career of Manny Pacquiao, for which Howie reminded the BBC broadcaster about the loss that Manny took against Custodio, and emphasized the maturing of The Philippine electorate. Well, the growing up of The Philippine electorate may be subjective and is an issue that we should tackle too.
While Politicos are going to be milking this victory for all its worth, as indeed The President is already doing by declaring this a national day of celebration, I’d still like to take this on a more personal basis, and congratulate a group of individuals who deserve the accolades and no one else.. To team Pacquiao, great job, a well thought out game plan, a Pacquiao right hook, who knew right? We need not congratulate anyone else, we’d like to ride on the success of Manny, but in truth we can be proud of him, but let’s remember the nation does not rise of fall with him. Let him enjoy this, and let us enjoy it too. And tomorrow, let’s get back to more pressing matters, if there is one lesson to be learned by this victory, it is that preparation is key, and so is implementation of strategies. As a nation, let’s ponder the preparation, planning, and implementation a bit more.
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The PacMan’s masterful ‘assassination of The Hitman was trademark Manny Pacquiao.
The only time boos were heard were at local ‘live’ viewing sites such as hotel, country club lounges and restaurants.
And the catcalls were directed at ‘insertions’ like so-called advocacy spots of presidential wannabee Gilbert Teodoro, the defense secretary, who’s courting the ‘anointment of his boss, and the camera-hugging presence of people like Mr. Chavit Singson who prolly forget that a national security concern, the hostage crisis in SDulu continues to drag on.
But at least for another rare moment Filipinos had genuine reason to be proud.
My take…http://midfield.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/bravopacquiao-floors-hatton-in-round-2/
In New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times … Manny got only a quarter spread in Sports Section others burried it in the inside pages …
This sports is not a good example to children and to Filipinos in particular. This sport is not supported by the academe nor would it garner scholarship. It is education-optional. Elementary drop-out, OK.
This s the sport that is historically run by the mob whose “sportsmen” are crass, rogue and rough on the edges …
NOT A GOOD EXEMPLAR OF SPORTS AND THE FANS. That is why it causes only a blip.
I’m not lashing out Manny but the sports and the fans. Manny is a nice guy. Frankly, honestly from the bottom of my heart Mannny is a very nice guy.
I pray to Satan that he’ll be guided away from politics …. Manny is readily accessible by Flips in America … He’s too down-to-earth.
I conggratulate Manny for a good fight. In Yahoo! He said he couldn’t believe that Hatton was easy to beat ….
Congratulations against, Manny. PLEASE KEEP AWAY FROM THE POLITICAL PIRANHAS and the pekeng-peryodistas. Watch out those of your leeching hangers-on. They are Flips. And Flips will always ever will be Flips
We congratulate our Champion Manny Pacquiao. This shows that a
Filipino can achieve what other people can achieve. With hard
work and confidence in ourselves. We can solve our problems.
Pacquiao showed that nothing is impossible, if you believe in
yourself.
Yes, we can…
Pacman’s fabulous win opens an alternative window of opportunity to get the “have nots” from this economic rut.
Thus, it is good for Pacquiao and his family – plus all the personal aides around him – including politicians, lawyers, PR men, bodyguards, et al.
Yet, the opportunity is pegged at 50-50 much like placing bets in a cockfight.
Let’s celebrate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnbjuVPlM68&feature=channel_page
@Renato: “I’m not lashing out Manny but the sports and the fans.”
There’s something wrong with your statement here. Manny is a boxing prodigy. Manny is to boxing as Jordan is to basketball and Schumacher is to F1. You can’t lash out boxing and its fans and at the same time say that Manny is a nice guy, its oxymoronic.
Maybe for once just celebrate and be with other Filipinos. Be proud of your *lahi, dahil ka-lahi natin si Manny*.
Is there any other unifying event in the history of our nation such as this? I would guess that about 90% of the nation watched the fight and rooted for Manny, 5% didn’t care and 5% had your notion, looked at the negative side and had crab mentality.
I don’t know what “oxymoronic” is but I did a logical statement, Mike. The boxing sport is oxymoronic because it’s not supported scholastically by schools. Boxers are kindergarten drop-out and this sports is education-optional…and the fans? Because they adore this education-optional sports! Bad example to children.
A oxymoronic sports and manny a nice guy can be separated like oil and water. The only gentleman, not necessarily educated, i know in this sports is de la Hoya and Manny.
I know what you’re thinking, mike. Now you say, “you watch it after all” That is a very common Filipino retort …
its good the pope hasn’t have it. haven’t we had a lot of fairy tales?
I can’t help but notice the muted racist coverage of the Pacquiao-Hatton duel on the telly. Much attention was focused on the white boxer. Now since the white boxer got cut down as “freshly cut timber”, the Beeb gives some airtime and commentary on what the typical tube riding Brit says about Hatton and Pacquiao.
The Brits should know by now that the Sun is 10 degrees below the horizon in whatever’s left of their Empire.
If the fight were done in the PHilippines, we’d be staring more of pacquiao in the teletuby …
But I agree with you Blackshama, though I didn’t watch the fight fulltime in its entirety
We need fairy tales and happy endings to make our lives interesting…