zatoicchi
07.12.08, 22:12
MANILA, Philippines (AP)—From five-star hotel lounges to army camps to Manila’s slums, Filipinos celebrated a victory by Manny Pacquiao that gave this country a break from its financial worries.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a key supporter of Pacquiao, congratulated him by phone after he beat Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas.
“His triumph is again a great unifier of Filipinos,” Arroyo spokesman Jesus Dureza said. “While he was an underdog to bookies and matchmakers abroad, he was already a winner to all Filipinos.”
Amid many problems hounding the country, Pacquiao was a “saving grace,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.
“The winnings of Manny Pacquiao always come at the proper time,” Ermita said. “We have this economic downturn, suddenly the morale of the Filipino people is promptly boosted.”
De La Hoya has become the richest and most marketable star in boxing during a 16-year span. He had a big reach advantage and towered over Pacquiao, setting off fears he could outpunch the Filipino. Pacquiao’s mother, Dionisia, could not bear to see her son fight such an opponent.
Filipinos exult in Pacquiao's win over De La Hoya (http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AojQjBA_0RrrBriQFSo0_EOUxLYF?slug=ap-pacquiao-philippinesreax&prov=ap&type=lgns)
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a key supporter of Pacquiao, congratulated him by phone after he beat Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas.
“His triumph is again a great unifier of Filipinos,” Arroyo spokesman Jesus Dureza said. “While he was an underdog to bookies and matchmakers abroad, he was already a winner to all Filipinos.”
Amid many problems hounding the country, Pacquiao was a “saving grace,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.
“The winnings of Manny Pacquiao always come at the proper time,” Ermita said. “We have this economic downturn, suddenly the morale of the Filipino people is promptly boosted.”
De La Hoya has become the richest and most marketable star in boxing during a 16-year span. He had a big reach advantage and towered over Pacquiao, setting off fears he could outpunch the Filipino. Pacquiao’s mother, Dionisia, could not bear to see her son fight such an opponent.
Filipinos exult in Pacquiao's win over De La Hoya (http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AojQjBA_0RrrBriQFSo0_EOUxLYF?slug=ap-pacquiao-philippinesreax&prov=ap&type=lgns)