‘Manny makes us proud Filipinos’

As in Manny Pacquiao’s most recent fights, the nation stood still yesterday as it cheered for the Filipino ring idol in his rubber match with Mexican rival Erik Morales in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Major streets throughout the entire archipelago were deserted as Filipinos from all walks of life stayed glued to TV sets or giant screens put up all over the country, standing united to rally for Pacquiao one more time.

And as the Filipino brawler stopped the Mexican in the third of their scheduled 12-round fight, the nation erupted in frenzied celebration. Then there’s a swelling of national pride.

"He makes me feel really proud to be a Filipino," said an elderly balikbayan from the United States, among those who filled Robinson’s Galleria Cinema 5 to watch the fight.

Over a hundred movie theaters, sports venues, bars and restaurants and even parish sports gyms the entire breadth of the country attracted mammoth crowds as they hooked up with Solar All Access for the live coverage of the bout starting at eight in the morning.

At Robinson’s Galleria in Mandaluyong, the basement 1 parking area was full by nine, or a good three hours before the Pacquiao-Morales fight time.

By 10 a.m., traffic was much, much lighter than the normal Sunday grind as several establishments opted to open late or cease operation during the bout.

"It took me only 20 minutes to get to Araneta Coliseum from Bocaue," said PBA media bureau officer Dave Coros.

"Ako 10 minutes lang from Rosario, Pasig. Yung jeepney driver, linga ng linga sa karsada, walang makitang pasahero. Ako lang ang na-pick up niya," said PBA statistician Shem Mangonon.

At the Sacred Heart Parish in Kamuning-Diliman, the regular priest officiating the 9:30-10:30 a.m. mass was ostensibly absent, replaced by a foreign priest.

The parish had opened its basketball court near the church to set up a giant screen for the Pacquiao fight to raise additional funds for its projects. Parishioners gladly shelled out P150 to take a seat inside the oven-hot venue.

There were similar scenes and incidents in cities and towns across the country. Streets were relatively quiet from morning till early afternoon as most people stayed home for the bout.

Other Filipino sports stars also watched and cheered for Pacquiao. In fact, not a single PBA team held a practice session during "The Grand Finale" fight coverage.

The four-weekend Growee Hopes basketball clinic for kids at the Sta. Lucia East had to be completed Saturday to allow parents, participants and coaches to watch the bout the next day.

The PBA postponed launching of "PBA Entertainment" while the Homegrown Invitational Cup called off its games at the Philsports Arena to give way to the fight. So was the GMA Cup chess tournament at Duty Free Philippines.

Several gymnasiums were turned to a theater and were filled to the rafters, including the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Cuneta Astrodome, San Juan Arena, San Andres Gym, Blue Eagle Gym and the La Salle-Zobel Gym.

Red Bull assistant coach Rhoel Nadurata, who is chairman of Barangay Nadurata 18 in Caloocan, City, set up a video screen in his house for his constituents.

Still, several people missed the fight and they regretted it so much.

"I have to be here early (Araneta Coliseum for PBA game). I was on the road during the fight. My consolation is the fact that Pacquiao won and he did it in style as I heard," said Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis.

"Gusto ko na ngang iwan yun pwesto ko kanina," rued a security guard at SM-Cubao.