‘Pacman, truly the People’s Champ’

Nagbunyi kahapon ang sambayanang Pilipino sa naging tagumpay ni world boxing champ Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao matapos pabagsakin sa ikatlong round ng kanilang Grand Finale si Mexican Erik "El Terrible" Morales sa Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sigawan, hiyawan at palakpakan ang namayani sa bawat kabahayan, sinehan at iba pang lugar sa bansa kung saan live na ipinalabas ang bakbakan.

Hindi lamang mga kongresista at senador ang tumutok sa laban kundi pati na rin mga generals at local officials. Minsan pang napag-isa ni Pacman ang mga pulitiko sa bansa nang sama-samang magdasal ang mga ito para sa tagumpay ni Pacquiao.

"Manny Pacquiao is truly the Pinoy People’s champ. He proved to the world that Filipinos are capable of achieving greatness when we set our hearts and minds to it. He serves as a role model to all Filipinos, showing to all that the way to victory and sucess is to have discipline, personal sacrifice, intense preparations and faith in the Almighty God," sama-samang pahayag nina Senate President Manny Villar, Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. at Sen. Richard Gordon.

Ayon sa mga mambabatas, panibagong pagkilala sa isang Pinoy champ ang ipinamalas ni Pacman sa buong mundo nang talunin nito ang pambato ng Mexico.

"My heart beats with extreme joy with another victory for the Philippines. It was a battle well fought and we congratulate both fighters for their courage and grit," pahayag naman ni Pangulong Arroyo sa ipinadalang statement.

"Manny will always be our hero, the bearer of the Filipino dream of winning the good fight in all fields of human endeavor. He will always be the people’s champ for toughness, discipline, hard work and the ability to beat the odds." (Lilia Tolentino, Rudy Andal At Danilo Garcia)