From five-star hotel lounges and army camps to Manila's slums, Filipinos gathered today and celebrated Manny Pacquiao's win over Oscar de la Hoya in a boxing victory that gave the country a momentary respite from financial worries.
Many of the usually bustling Manila streets were empty of traffic. Police reported few crimes.
Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 knockouts) came up two weight classes to fight de la Hoya (39-6) who dropped down to meet him at 147 pounds. De la Hoya, who has become richest and most marketable star in boxing over a 16-year span, had a big reach advantage and towered over Pacquiao, setting off fears he could outpunch the Filipino star.
When de la Hoya declined to come out after the eighth round of the Las Vegas bout, the cheering and jeers rose to a roar here as followers yelled Pacquiao's name, waved Philippine flags and threw punches in the air.
"Superb, that's David slaying Goliath," said Enrique Ancheta, 67, who along with about 2,000 fans jammed a small stadium in the agricultural city of Cauayan, about 175 miles northeast of Manila.
President Arroyo, a key supporter of Pacquiao, called to congratulate him.
"His triumph is again a great unifier of Filipinos," Mrs. Arroyo's spokesman Jesus Dureza said. "While he was an underdog to bookies and matchmakers abroad, he was already a winner to all Filipinos."
Amid a surfeit of problems hounding the country, Pacquiao was a "saving grace," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.
"The winnings of Manny Pacquiao always come at the proper time," Ermita said. "We have this economic downturn, suddenly the morale of the Filipino people is promptly boosted."
Pacquiao's mother, Dionisia, said she could not stand watching her son square off with a bigger foe.
"I was nervous in the beginning because Oscar de la Hoya was big. I didn't want to watch and I just ran to the prayer room with my friends," she said. "Our prayers were powerful."
source:philippine star
