10 congressmen off to Las Vegas

Drawn by the "Grand Finale" mania, at least 10 members of the House of Representatives left for Las Vegas this week to watch today’s epic battle between the Filipino boxing idol and his Mexican nemesis.

This was according to Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., who, however, couldn’t remember the names of all who left, except for House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles and Deputy Speaker Eric Singson.

De Venecia, at the same time, downplayed speculations that the lawmakers used government funds in traveling to the US.

Among the House faces expected to see Manny Pacquiao fight Erik Morales up close are Representatives Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo of Pampanga, Tony Roman of Bataan, Vincent "Bingbong" Crisologo of Quezon City and Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City, according to reliable sources.

It was also reported that Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo Plaza left, but this could not immediately be confirmed.

Most Filipinos, meanwhile, would have to content themselves cheering for their champion not only in their homes, but in public venues that offer "packaged" viewing – complete with food and drinks.

And what’s one day of indulging in a little spending when it’s the only way for them to see their boxing idol beat his Mexican foe?

From Nueva Vizcaya to Iligan City, neither work, dire financial straits nor a scheduled electrical maintenance could stop Filipinos from catching today’s deciding match in Las Vegas.

Thousands are still likely to miss the 12-round "Grand Finale," however, as a power outage continued to wrap in darkness the municipalities of Pantao-Ragat, Pantar and Saguiaran in Lanao del Sur and Balo-i in Lanao del Norte. That is, unless boxing aficionados in this southern part of the country cross toward neighboring Iligan City, where regular maintenance of electric lines scheduled today in several barangays was moved tomorrow so as not to disrupt the televised fight.

In restaurants and coffee shops around the country, owners are offering "pay-per-view" packages of the much-awaited action — live via satellite, no commercial interruptions plus food and drinks.

Regardless of financial status, Fer Mania, the owner of a popular restaurant in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, said residents of all stripes have bought tickets priced at P350 each to enjoy the match — and many more are on the waiting list, pleading for tickets.

As of yesterday, tickets have been sold out at FTM Food Fiesta, which hosts one of the major venues for the Pacquiao-Morales live telecast.

In Santiago City in Isabela, thousands are expected to pack the People’s Hall for a P300 fee to watch the bout on a big screen.

In Iligan City, the viewing of the match complete with food and drinks package costs at least P150.

Not all, however, are keen on shelling out a couple of hundreds when they can enjoy the fight in their homes.

Benz Selmo of Santiago City is one of them. "P300 is equivalent to three days of meals. That’s why my family and I will just watch the fight on delayed telecast," he said.

Salvador Mayola is going to do the same.

Earning a measly P250 a day, the 55-year-old Mayola would rather watch the big bout on his small TV and bet beer — instead of money — with his friends just for the fun of it.

Mayola, who is fondly known as Mang Badong, shines shoes at a sidewalk along A.B. Fernandez Avenue in Dagupan City. He has been doing it for 30 years, but today he will work only half-a-day to watch his idol slug it out with Morales.

"Manalo o matalo Pacquiao ako (Win or lose, I am for Pacquiao)," said Mayola, who said he idolizes the "Pacman" because through him, he sees hope in spite of poverty.

"Maung ya too tan siguradon manalo ta praktisado (He is a good man and he is sure to win because he practiced a lot)," Mayola said in his native tongue.

Unlike Mang Badong, 46-year-old Ernulfo Cueva cannot afford not to work, and might just have to catch the replay of the fight.

A traffic cop, SPO2 Cueva will be busy manning the busy intersection in the downtown area, but like Mang Badong and the rest of the nation, he believes in Pacquiao and sees him as an inspiration to Filipinos, especially the poor.

"Maung ya inspirasyong na saray mairap bilay (He is a good inspiration to those who are poor)," said Cueva, who like Mang Badong is also from Barangay Bonuan Boquig.

In Cebu City, policemen were warned against leaving their post or engage in betting or drink liquor while on duty amid the Pacquiao-Morales mania sweeping the country.

Senior Superintendent Pablo Labra told The Freeman that he would issue a memorandum to all police stations and special units about the warning.

There are several private establishments there that are offering live satellite coverage of the match through a private cable company with a fee of not less than P100.

One of these is the New Cebu Coliseum, which has a 6,000-seat capacity. It is selling P200 ringside tickets and P100 for general patronage.

Which round?

There is no doubt Filipinos expect to see Pacquiao knock out Morales, just like the last time the two sluggers met last January that evened the score between them.

President Arroyo, nonetheless, is leading the nation in praying and hoping for a grand victory by Pacquiao, and Malacañang said that win or lose, the people’s champ would get a hero’s welcome.

"We know that the whole Philippines is praying for him. He is a sure winner in every Filipino’s heart," said Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor.

Defensor said the President would try to get in touch with Pacquiao after his fight to show him her support even while attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam.

"We will prepare for his homecoming along with (Manila) Mayor (Lito) Atienza who has been spearheading the welcome activities for Pacquiao after his every fight," he said.

Filipinos are not betting on who would win in the "Grand Finale," but how Pacquiao will triumph.

The only question is which round will Morales fall?

Bulakeños are trying to make the prediction — and at the same time earn money from it.

Engineer Nemecio Sabino of Hagonoy town said he is betting on Pacquiao to win via knockout in the eighth round, while Roberto Rodrigo of Bulacan town said it will be over in two rounds.

Others judge the fight by referring to the two previous bouts.

"Noong una, hindi convincing ang panalo ni Morales, pero noong pangalawang laban nila at pinatumba siya ni Pacquiao, kaya tiyak na si Pacman ang mananalo (Morales’ win wasn’t convincing in their first match and in the second fight, Pacquiao knocked him down so it is certain that Pacman will win)," Federico Chico said.

On the other hand, a few believe that Morales will win, like Rommel Ramos who said, "I think, this time, it will be Morales dahil scientific boxer siya, pero kay Pacquiao pa rin ako (because Morales is a scientific boxer although I am still for Pacquiao)."

For Tony Medina of Malolos City, it’s Pacquiao if he gets to knock Morales out in six to eight rounds. "Otherwise, Morales might win if the fight reaches 12 rounds."

"Morales will kiss the canvass in the seventh round," said Joel Bartolome of Paombong.

It’s a different story for Ted Ramos, a rabid boxing fan from Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, who is rooting for Morales. "I admit that among us Filipinos, Pacquiao is the sentimental favorite. I’m cheering for Morales this time, however, because I think Pacquiao’s winning has gone to his head."

"Tenth round for Pacquiao. He will duplicate his victory over Morales," Ed Camua of Malolos City predicted.

In Manila, the fight is virtually over as all bets are for Pacquiao.

Normally, days before the fight, several people would have already laid a wager on either Pacquiao or his opponent. But in this instance, gambling enthusiasts are having a difficult time looking for those who would root for Morales.

The bets in Pacquiao fights could run to thousands of pesos. During the July 3 Pacquiao match with Mexican Oscar Larios, an avid boxing fan placed a P50,000 bet for Larios while pro-Pacquiao bettors joined forces to raise the same amount.

In Iligan City, high stakes betting have been booked in a popular restaurant — placed secretly, away from the eyes of law enforcers.

But in neighboring Lanao provinces, the bet may have to come first on whether the power outage in certain areas will finally end.

Lanao del Norte provincial board member Usman Mastura said the affected areas have been without electricity for almost a month now.

Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative manager Baliamen Mamainte said the power outage was caused by a short circuit on the transformer of the generation company’s Agus 2 hydroelectric power plant in the town of Saguiaran in Lanao del Sur, and it will take another month to replace the transformer.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education said yesterday that private and public schools could only ask elementary and high school students to watch "voluntarily" the movie about Pacquiao, whose superstar status has made him a bankable entertainment figure and commercial model.

"As with expenses in schools, ‘Pacquiao, the Movie’ viewing is strictly voluntary," Education Secretary Jesli Lapus clarified to The STAR.

Lapus said in a text message that the movie is for the benefit of a national federation of student councils which is raising funds for the procurement of computers, leadership training and other student projects. This, he said, is covered by a DepEd memorandum order.

The clarification stems from recent complaints by parents about certain private schools allegedly forcing students to buy tickets to the film. — Delon Porcalla, Aurea Calica, Eva Visperas, Lino de la Cruz, Charlie Lagasca, Evelyn Macairan, Dino Balabo, Sandy Araneta, Edwin Ian Melecio, and Norvie Misa