My Turf

Yesterday, the whole world witnessed yet another victory by Filipino boxing hero, Manny Pacquiao.

Barely awake and still whoozy from the previous night’s booze party, Raz and I crawled out of bed at 9 AM to watch his fight on Solar Sports. The match started past noon, though. We weren’t disappointed. The wait was well worth it. 

The first few rounds were quite heartbreaking. The lack in height and reach was very apparent. However, as the fight progressed, Manny finally got his groove and became more aggressive. I was still nervous about the outcome of the match, but was by far more hopeful. I forget what round it was, but when Erik Morales staggered backwards after a punch, I was beside myself with joy! I was jumping up and down, shouting myself hoarse. "This fight is so, so yours, Manny!"

Come the 5th or 6th round, a most irritating thing happened: Raz’s friend texted him to say that Pacquiao won by TKO in the 10th round. That idiot! We cussed him to high heavens, with Raz’s bold reply beginning with, "Damn you. I’m still watching!" Sheesh! We were aware the telecast was delayed, but that didn’t mean we wanted to know the result prior to actually seeing the end of the fight!

Anyway, despite that fool’s slip, we continued to eagerly watch the game (albeit still very pissed because we already knew he was going to win in the 10th round, anyway). 9th round, Morales’s face was all swollen, the fire gone from his eyes. It was obvious then who wanted the fight more. 10th round, well…we are now all aware that after Morales fell on his knees for the second time, the match was called off and Pacquiao was declared winner by Technical Knockout. And he was the first boxer to have ever knocked out the three-time champion, Erik Morales.

It was a day of jubilation for Filipinos everywhere. Those in Las Vegas waved their little Philippine flags and banners that said, "Pacman" and "Hataw, Pacquiao!" in the air and passionately chanted the hero’s name. ABS-CBN showed clips of people in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao happily celebrating Pacquiao’s latest victory. The presence of Chavit Singson and Mike Arroyo, both major nuisances in Philippine politics, was quite brow-raising. I didn’t mind them that much, though. I was just thankful for the rest from divisive politics and for the fact that a Filipino once again rose as World Champion.

In the after-fight interview, I was very amused to hear Manny answering Quinito Henson’s questions in English. I was half-squirming, half-delighted to watch him talk confidently in impeccable English (the grammar was fine, but his speech was still thick with regional accent). I was moved by how he kept attributing his win to the Filipino people. I couldn’t help but smile as I remember his song, "Para Sa’Yo" which he just recently crooned for Star Records. Where else in the world could you find a World Boxing Champion who works as a professional singer on the side?! Yan ang tunay na Onli in the Philippines!

I was surprised to find out that Manny was only 27 years old, barely a year older than me! Still, I feel happy that my age group has him as part of our pride source. For the boxing field, the older generations had Gerry Peñalosa, Luisito Espinosa, Flash Elorde… Manny Pacquiao is ours. My heart is just brimming with pride that such an icon of courage and never-say-die spirit is within our midst today.

As the day ended, words and expressions of thanksgiving were uttered in every corner of the nation: in different languages and to different gods. But for at least a single afternoon, the broken nation nation was again one: in hope and prayers and–as Manny sat on his manager’s shoulders, weeping with pure joy–rejoicing.   

MARAMING SALAMAT SA IYO, MANNY PACQUIAO. MABUHAY KA!