Pinoys to Manny: You’ve done us proud
People in cinemas, gymnasiums and military bases across the country burst into applause and shouts yesterday as they watched Manny Pacquiao floor American Timothy Bradley before regaining the WBO welterweight crown in Las Vegas.
Shortly after Pacquiao bested Bradley, Malacañang led the nation in sending congratulatory messages to the Filipino boxing icon.
“Manny Pacquiao has done the Filipino nation proud again by winning decisively against Timothy Bradley. We applaud and thank him for demonstrating anew that the Filipino has the courage and skill to compete in the global arena,” Presidential Communications Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.
Pacquiao did not disappoint his legions of fans watching the match in the Philippines, knocking down Bradley twice and dominating the fight as all three judges scored it 116-110 in his favor.
The fight in Las Vegas is Pacquiao’s last
bout before retiring from boxing.
With his retirement, Pacquiao, a congressman of Sarangani, is looking forward to winning a seat in the Senate in the May 9 elections.
“We are truly happy because our prayers that Manny will win were answered,” James Morena, a 67-year-old retiree said.
Vice President Jejomar Binay hailed Pacquiao’s victory over Bradley.
“I join the nation in congratulating Manny Pacquiao in his victory against Timothy Bradley,” Binay said.
“Manny has again shown the Filipino traits – determination to face life struggles, ability to rise against the odds, and win over trials,” Binay said in Filipino. Pacquiao is running under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) with Binay as its standard bearer.
Binay’s rival, Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, congratulated Pacquiao for an “emphatic win.”
“I am congratulating Manny Pacquiao for his emphatic win over Timothy Bradley. Manny did the Filipinos proud once more, “he said.
Duterte also wished Pacquiao well in his political career.
“I hope he will find time to concentrate on his political career,” he said.
Duterte added Pacquiao has nothing to prove any more with his achievement in boxing.
“He is a true champion in the hearts of the Filipino people,” Duterte added.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada also joined the nation in congratulating Pacquiao.
“On behalf of all Manileños, I extend my congratulations to our Pambansang Kamao, Manny Pacquiao, for another very convincing win versus Timothy Bradley in their just- concluded bout in Las Vegas, Nevada,” Estrada said. Congressmen-colleagues of Pacquiao also congratulated him yesterday for his latest victory over Bradley.
“Pacquiao has solidified his legend as our country’s greatest boxing icon. Yet, it is his humility and generosity that make him larger than life to our people,” Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said.
Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said Pacquiao’s newest win “will further inspire Filipinos to persevere in life.”
“Congratulations to him. He makes us very proud of our race,” he said.
Senators also congratulated Pacquiao on his victory.
Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Pacquiao’s win “has given the Filipino people a new radiating source of honor and pride.”
“The deeper meaning of his win over Bradley is a message of our ability to prevail once we put our heart, mind, and soul to whatever test we are facing,” he said.
Sens. Nancy Binay and Juan Edgardo Angara said Pacquiao is leaving a legacy that makes every Filipino proud of his roots.
“As he exits the ring for possibly the last time, we thank Manny for the thrills and excitement he provided us in the sport which made him well- known,” Binay added.
Morale booster
On the other hand, Pacquiao’s comrades in arms in the military did not lack in enthusiasm while watching the Sarangani fighting congressman floor Bradley twice during the bout.
Shouts of “Pacquiao pa rin! Manny! Manny!” were heard from the 400 troops and officers watching the bout at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Gymnasium and Wellness Center.
AFP chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri and the senior staff were not around at Camp Aguinaldo to watch the fight.
Iriberri led the top brass in flying to Zamboanga City yesterday to oversee the military operation in Basilan that left 18 soldiers dead and 53 wounded.
“We only watched the last three rounds of the fight because we are busy attending to our ongoing operations,” said Army chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año.
Año said everybody was jubilant over Pacquiao’s defeating Bradley yesterday. He also suggested to the congressman and military reservists to focus on teaching other Filipinos the sport, with Pacquiao as trainer upon his retirement.
Col. Benjamin Hao said Pacquiao’s victory further boosted the morale of troops despite what happened in Basilan the other day.
“The Philippine Army expresses its happiness on the win of Army reserve Lt. Col. Manny Pacquiao that at least compensates for the loss of our troops in the Basilan operations,” Hao said.
Some of the troops said Pacquiao has lost his killer instinct and only won because he was able to knock down Bradley twice.
But just the same, everybody was happy for Pacquiao, with the Philippine Army taking pride in his latest boxing performance.