Dagupan roots for Filipino idol

DAGUPAN – Though underdog this time, many Filipinos cheer for Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and hope he will beat Mexican-American Oscar dela Hoya in their scheduled bout today in Las Vegas.

For Danny Mayola, 55, said that he’s for Pacquiao. A newspaper vendor at a sidewalk here half of his life, Mayola said that he’s been a fan of Pacquiao ever since.

“He’s a Filipino and I cheer for him and praying that he win this fight against Dela Hoya,” Mayola said in Filipino.

Photojournalist Willie Lomibao also said that he is for Pacquiao and also hopes that he (Pacquiao) will beat the odds. Robert Tapang, a shoe repairman, also said that he’s for Pacquiao.

Senior Police Officer 1 Danilo Sayson expressed confidence that the Pinoy boxing hero will win the bout. He said that the only advantage of Dela Hoya is his height and reach but Pacquiao is much younger and has more speed. – Cesar Ramirez