Philstar
By Nelson Beltran
Monday, March 17, 2008
As the ring announcer barked the emergence of Manny Pacquiao as the new world featherweight champion, there was a subdued celebration and some sighs of relief.
It was the scene inside Robinson’s Galleria Cinema 1, and apparently the same atmosphere pervaded in other moviehouses that showed the Manny Pacquiao-Manuel Marquez fight yesterday.
The nation was happy Pacquiao won the bout but many were not convinced on whether the Filipino ring idol really pulled it off over his crafty and gritty Mexican rival.
The decision was silently discussed practically by everybody as they lined up to the exits.
Celebrities Noel Trinidad, Gary Lising and Leo Martinez exchanged notes. Sportswriters Arman Armero and Dominic Menor were in a huddle with GMA-7’s Barbette Atienza, each one having reservation on whether Pacquiao was really the rightful winner.
“It’s Marquez,” said PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial.
“It’s a tough call. Of course, I’m happy Manny won but it’s really far from convincing,” said Francis Macaraeg, an overseas Filipino worker from Valenzuela.
“Manny said his business with Marquez is over but he wasn’t really able to prove he’s the better boxer than the Mexican. Marquez is really a tough customer for Pacquiao. If not for the third-round knockdown, it would have been a clear win for Marquez,” said Sammy Talon, an eatery owner also from Valenzuela.
“Marquez took control most of the way. He landed not only more but the better punches. It would have been all right if it ended in a draw,” said Pedro Santos, an elderly from Cainta.
“Marquez proved to be the right match for Manny. He should avoid this guy,” said Gerard Laxamana, a student from Pasig.
Nonetheless, there’s a swelling of national pride.
“Pacquiao once again showed great courage. He faced a tough opponent but he never backed down. He made me feel proud to be a Filipino,” said Joseph Mirales, another student from Pasig.
For a few hours, Pacquiao again unified the nation while fighting atop the ring in Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.
There was no anti-GMA or pro-GMA rallies on the streets as supporters all stayed glued to television sets or giant screens put up all over the country, standing united to rally behind Pacquiao one more time.
As in his last fights versus Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, traffic was lighter than the normal Sunday fare with several establishments opting to open late or cease operation during the bout.
There were already happy faces on the streets by 12:30 p.m. as the bout was covered live by DZBB.
“I’m very proud and very happy that once again my son won his fight,” Pacquiao’s mother, Dionisia, said on the radio interview.
She prayed the rosary inside the Pacquiao mansion in Gen. Santos City while his son was fighting.
Streets were relatively quiet from morning till early afternoon as most people stayed home for the bout.
In cities and towns across the country, people from all walks of life took a break from their daily routines.
Rolly Dungca, a jeepney driver in Quezon City, said he worked overtime the other night so he could watch the fight.
“Eh, kahit bumyahe ako, wala rin naman kikitain. Walang tao sa karsada. Parang napaaga ang Good Friday,” said Dungca.
Engineer Ariel Francisco, a construction contractor, cancelled overtime work for his workers.
looking forward for the pacquiao-diaz brawl.
