Filipinos across the world feel proud about Pacquiao victory

Filipinos across the globe rejoiced over the victory of "pambansang kamao" Manny Pacquiao in his much-anticipated rematch with Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera on Sunday, Oct. 7. Minutes after Pacquiao’s win by a unanimous decision was announced from the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Kapuso loyalists here and abroad began sending their words of felicitations to the champion boxer from General Santos City through the GMANews.TV’s "Will to Win" microsite. The special site for the much-awaited Pacquiao-Barrera rematch was uploaded on October 1 to facilitate the flow of reports and features about the fight. It allots a special corner for viewers to post their messages about the bout. The remarks from virtually every corner of the globe -- Iraq, Bahrain, Libya, Ireland, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, United States, Canada, Mexico, among others, were all jubilant over the result of the most recent and probably one of the most momentous boxing matches in the career of the 28-year-old Filipino boxer. A real hero "You've proven once again that you are pambansang kamao. Mabuhay ang sambayanang Filipino. Laban ng isa, tagumpay ng buong Pilipinas. We are proud of you Manny at hindi mo kami binigo, at tunay kang mandirigma sa larangan ng boxing sports," said Ramon Aure from Iraq. "We salute you, You are the 'Great Man' of a new generation. God bless us all, from OFW, US Base, Taji, Iraq. Mabuhay ang Filipino," he added. Olin B of Libya: "Mabuhay ka Manny Pacquiao.. muli napatunayan mo na naman sa buong mundo (na) iba talaga ang Pinoy. Ang galing mo Pacman. ‘Di mo man napatumba si Barrera, bugbog naman siya. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas, Mabuhay ang Pinoy." Calling Pacquiao a "real hero," Bong Catulong of Saudi Arabia said, "In behalf of Filipino people here in Yanbu, KSA, we would like to congratulate Manny 'Pacman' for the great performance he has done in the field of sports. We are proud of you, a truly Filipino hero a man with the fighting spirit 'The will to win' and proud to be a Filipino anywhere in the world... Viva Pilipinas." From Qatar, Ping Bernales called Pacquiao a boxing legend and urged him to stay consistent with his good deeds, a factor that helped the boxer champion the Filipinos's hearts. "Sana si Marquez ang isunod mong talunin at agawin ang korona sa kanya," added Bernales, refering to Juan Manuel Marquez, who fought Pacquiao to a draw in May 2004. Even Filipinos in the Land of the Rising Sun did not fail to send shout outs to the Filipino boxing great as they took pride on Pacquiao's victory. "You're Unstoppable! Hey Manny congratulations for your job well done! You make our fellow Filipinos proud before the whole world men! Just keep it up! You're the hero in our generation!" cheered Luis De Jesus Jr from Japan. Allan dela Cruz, also from Japan, said Pacquiao "uplifts the spirits of Filipinos here abroad. Isa ka talagang inspirasyon sa amin Manny. Congrats. Long live the Philippines." Archie and Eric, who are both in Taiwan, said Pacquiao's match has united the Filipinos anew. "Pinakyaw na naman ni Pacman ang panalo. haw pang! Wala pa ring tatalo sa pambansang kamao ng Pilipinas! Na-inspire ng kanyang kanta! At walang kamatayang killer smile! Ang lupit mo, Manny!," the two bantered. Stick to boxing While showing the same support for Pacquiao, Filipino folk in the US however expressed a rather politically-tinged set of remarks. A certain 'R. A.' of New York City wrote entirely in upper case, "Ok, now we know Manny Pacquiao won. So, why do we have to celebrate him with the President? Gloria wants to buy people’s attention. She doesn't have to do anything with the boxer! Why doesn't she just take care of corruption in government. She just wants to show herself to all Filipino." For his part, Danny Fabia, also from the US, praised Pacquiao's sheer talent and courage but took aim at the boxing champion's recent attempt to secure public office. He began, "Saludo ako sa iyong ipinakitang laki ng puso, galing at tapang laban kay Barrera. I am also sure that the whole Filipino nation all over the world feels the same." "Just stick to boxing which you do best. Never let these so called self serving snake oil salesmen distract you by offering you to foray into politics. Stay pure by just being the "greatest Filipino boxing champion for this millennium." Everyone has his own calling and yours is (to be) a "great boxing fighter." Across the Atlantic Ocean, Jonathan Ranin in Ireland echoed the sentiments of the two Filipinos in the US and said, "Manalo siya basta mag concetrate lang siya sa boxing. Huwag haluan ng pulitika. Iba ang Visaya. Malakas si Manny, 100%." While most were contented, some were looking for something more. Glenn B. M. of the United Arab Emirates said, "Viva Pacman. The whole Filipinos in the world are very proud of you, but the fight isn't good enough for me... seems like something’s missing...yes! ‘coz I'm looking for a knock-out. Anyway you're the best congrats." OFWs turn to the Web Although they fretted over being unable to witness it live, Filipinos abroad found an alternate channel useful to still get a glimpse of the highlights of the event via the GMANews.TV microsite. Marseille of United Arab Emirates said: "To all Manny and boxing fans huwag na kayong magdamdam. I know how you feel not to see the live match of Pacquiao and Barrera. You missed the thrill and suspense of the game, yet be thankful and so much more, sa pagkapanalo ni Pacquiao which is another leaf on the laurel of victory for us Filipinos. Wait na lang tayo sa DVD nito or as what I did, I just followed it up through breaking news of GMA 7 through my computer." In Singapore, Ferdie also turned to GMANews.TV to get a blow-by-blow account of the 12-round boxing match. "Thanks GMANews.tv. Thanks GMA..Many thanks for providing the updated result of Manny's fight...naka-TFC channel lang kasi kami dito. In behalf of all the Filipinos in Singapore, salamat, Manny for making all the Filipinos proud. Mabuhay ka Pacman!" he said. In Northern Mariana Island, per-round update of the match filled Sam Lledo although they were unable to watch the bout on live broadcast. "Salamat sa GMANews.tv kahit hindi namin napanood ng live ang laban between Manny and Barrera, nalaman namin ang updated fight through GMANews.tv. Mabuhay po kayo," said Sam. "Thanks GMA7 for posting the updates for Pacman's fight with Barrera. Mabuhay ang Filipino, mabuhay si Manny," Liza Wheeler of the US wrote. Right in the lion's den While most Filipinos overseas gathered in their respective living rooms or workplaces, literally forming small clumps of Filipino contingents abroad, Joeffrey Espiritu Viernes had to endure being all alone even if he was with his foreign friends when he watched the event. After all, he was in Mexico, homeland of Pacquiao's opponent. "Wow! Words can’t explain how I feel right now as I write this quick comment from Pacquiao-Barrera match. Living in Barrera´s land is such a wonderful opportunity," he said. Together with his Mexican friends, Viernes on Sunday night dined at a local restaurant there, which housed an unsurprisingly Mexican-dominated crowd. In fact, Viernes said he was the lone Filipino in the bunch. "Of course, all the viewers were Mexicans and (I was the) only Filipino. I heard myself singing our National Anthem in the beginning of the show as Kyla sang it. I just felt that I was home that time. It was perfect," he said of the performance of the local Rhythm and Blues crooner. Singer Kyla, clad in white Filipiniana dress, sang rather than belted a reserved and melodic version of the Lupang Hinirang, to the delight of most Filipinos. Viernes said that even if nerves were getting on his way, he felt secured about Manny's game. "(There were) lots of shouting and applauding during the match. I was so nervous that time but at the same time I feel secured because I do believe in Manny´s ability. It was a good match!" he said. And with the undeniably distinct voice of ring announcer Michael Buffer signaling Pacquiao as the victor at the end of Round 12, Viernes let out a restraint cheer but celebratory nonetheless. "I shouted! Of course, need to control baka ako bugbugin after, kasi Mexicans are really hot-tempered to those kinds of thing but my Mexican friends understand me. Really, I found friendship in them. Mabuhay ka, Manny, mabuhay ang Pilipinas!" he amusingly recounted. Filipinos abroad coach Manny Donning the hat of boxing coaches, Filipinos abroad also offered their two cents' worth of advice before the bout began. Arnold of the US said Manny should stick to his old style and suggested: "Gaya ng dati Manny, parang palambuting nilagang baka gawin mo. Palambutin mo muna sa bodega at pag malambot na, tsaka mo i-knock out." However, Arnold cautioned Pacquiao against quickly ending the fight as fans would most definitely prefer that the match drags on until several rounds to at least get their time's worth. "Mga five to seven rounds para naman mag-enjoy ang mga fans mo sa Pinas," he said. Even Filipinos from China like Teddy delos Reyes proved they were ready to give advices that Pacquiao can bring with him to Las Vegas, Nevada. "Manny, you got the power and the speed. Set the best timing in your attack and counter-attack and for sure it will make the difference! Once you got it, release it non-stop for a knockout!" he said. While warning Pacquiao of his opponent's classic tricks, visitor 'Bong Tucay' of Israel, meanwhile, said nimble blows from the Filipino pugilist are all it takes to send Barrera crashing to the canvass. "Manny, pag-start pa lang, rapido agad wala nang ibubuga ‘yang si Barrera. ‘Di n’ya kakayanin ang mga suntok mo, Manny. Ingat lang sa headbutt n’ya kasi ‘yan ang style ng lokong ‘yan. Pero alam ko namang pinaghandaan mo na ‘yan kaya good luck and have a good fight! Mabuhay ka, Pacman!" said Bong. Another Filipino in Mexico, with the online name El Terrible, also took the time to show props for Pacquiao and offered an unsolicited advice. "Compadre, watch out for that dirty SOB Marco He is a liar and a cheater but you will have no problem teaching him how to respect you even if he uses all the dirty tactics. I know you want to make the fight last long for the fans but my advise is knock him out immediately," he suggested. "Manny, wala kang katulad. I will watch the fight and drink some San Miguel beer, Bueno swerte, amigo!" he added. Dirty tricks Cesar D. Simbe of Qatar also noted the same observation and warned Pacquiao of the "dirty" tricks up Barrera's sleeves. "Kaya mo ‘yan, basta mag-iingat ka lang, dahil maruming maglaro ‘yang si Barrera. Karangalan ng bansa at sambayanang Pilipino ang dala-dala mo Idol! Mananalo ka. Sure kaya mo ‘yan! Ikaw pa!" he said. Josie Dalida of Canada was also able to observe the same fighting character of Barrera: “Just be alert about dirty tricks of Barrera. This fight is still yours," said Dalida. "Keep your feet on the ground and you will surely gain victory. God is always your shining armor. Be cool and calm." In Manny's defense But like in any other competition, the other side also has its throng of supporters. "Manny will be KO’d in early round between 1 & 3. And once again Barrera will show that he is the greatest boxer," visitor ekphut of Vietnam said. Moreover, another visitor, 'thevan,' hurled some sniding remarks against the Filipino pride, which could have probably caught Pacquiao off guard had they been jabs. "If Manny can't knock out Barrera, I'm very sure Marco wins the fight... so go Barrera. Manny is so boastful. He is good in media. Try to ask in GenSan who is Pacman in real life, ha ha ha...Saan ka pupulutin Manny kung matalo ka na.. sa kangkungan ha ha ha.. You’re only a puppet of known politicians and the people around you," the online visitor said. A fellow Filipino, under the online name Boy, was quick to defend Pacquiao and lashed back at thevan: "If you are Filipino, you don't deserve to live in the Philippines because you don't support your country man. You should live in Cambodia's jungle." "Win or lose, we should support Manny. His boastfulness, as you said, will not stop my full support of him. Thevan, you're just envious of Manny's achievement," Boy concluded. Pinoys place bet on a sure-win Like his punches, Pacquiao's matches do not only turn everything to gold but literally turn regular households into pseudo-casinos overnight, as bettors place their bets and hold their breaths with every punch thrown by the boxers. "Kasado na kami dito. Go, go, go Manny, doblado pustahan dito Manny boy. Ingat lang, ‘wag kumpyansa. Just do your best and let our prayer do the rest," visitor lakay from the US said. "I'm proud to be a Pinoy. Mabuhay ka Manny, mabuhay ang Pilipinas," lakay ended. Jessie Tiglao in Ireland, confident of Pacquiao's chances of victory, found time to egg on bettors saying, "Walang duda pa rin na si Pacman pa rin ang mananalo. Sabi nga nila, lalong tumikas ang mga kilos at mga galaw. Kaya itodo n’yo na ang pusta mga kabayan. Go Manny ! Dito kami lagi sa likuran mo hanggang sa katapusan." But over in Canada, visitor Alonjal did not seem to have found risk-takers bold enough to bet against Pacquiao. "Excited na ba kayo? That's the call of every Filipino here in Winnipeg, Canada. My friends were looking for Mexican counterpart to bet but sadly they cannot find," said a proud Filipino fan. "Mexicans here were admitting the power that Pacqiao has. It is fresh in their mind what Pacman did to their great boxers including Barrera who give in the fight by throwing the towel by his corner. So now let’s just count the hours for the big event. Let's support Manny on this fight. He will win for sure as they said " dili lang siya mag kompyansa kay nag agi sad nag ka champion si Barrera," Alonjal added. Meanwhile, visitor 'Confucius' of the United States said he/she would place his/her bet on Barrera, citing "underground" bookmakers. "Manny will lose the fight this time because of mafia bet. Mafia bet will surely win and if they did not, I think they will do the same as of M. Jordan's father. Now I will bet for Barrera. Sources are some bookies here from underground bettors," Confucius said. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV