My summer years as a teen usually involves watching my brothers play basketball on street leagues. There are also times when I watched Philippine National Basketball (PBA) live only for free at the ringside. But despite of this, I am simply a supporter, not a real sports enthusiast. Especially for those form of sports which seems brutal, like boxing. But obviously today, I don't have a choice than to sit back and watch Manny Paquiao buying for another world boxing title.
Though Manny is very famous due to several titles won over the past years in boxing, it would be my first time to see how he fights. Talk Asia interview of Manny also says that there is lesser crime in the Philippines during his fights because many of the Filipinos are watching. Meaning, in his own way, he's definitely a superstar or better say, a hero to most of us.
We started watching as early as 11am and need to wait for more than an hour prior the main event, where Manny will fight the champion Ricky Hatton from Britain. Heard from local media that 25,000 Brits flew from UK the other night just to watch the fight. There were also occasional teasing here and there between the Filipino crowd. Oh oh, sounds like a bloody event huh...It also made me laugh when pinoys make fond of the song London Bridge is falling down replacing it instead of Ricky Hatton's falling down...hahaha. Personally though I find British sophisticated, for this time, I will support my own. My very own kababayan (fellowmen).
More tension build-up when Manny and Ricky entered the arena. Brits crowd sang so loudly for Ricky. And thou I didn't hear Filipinos sing when Manny was introduced, there is tremendous screaming. Oh boy, if I was there, I will surely do the same. Screaming and cheering at the top of my lungs for Manny. Manny..Manny...Manny...plus singing pinoy, pinoy ako. Ipakita mo sa mundo. Kung ano ang kaya mo. Iba talaga ang pinoy (Filipino, Filipino, show it to the
world. What you can do?....Manny
As much as I hold my breath, I could see my mother and brother on the same mode while watching the 1st round. Ricky obviously is a tough contender, very aggressive like a bull. But Manny also shows determination facing his opponent with confidence. "That's it, go Manny, go" was what I can hear my mother is saying. Before the first round ends, Ricky was knocked down twice. Whoa!
The second round now becomes more exciting, I was looking now to what kind of strategy Ricky would do in order to recover. It was a real good fight, I almost thought that Manny has lesser points this time. But around 8 secs before the 2nd round end, Manny throw his left punch hitting Ricky so hard leaving him unconscious. Referee signal the end of the fight and paramedics came to administer Ricky. Whoa! that's it, Manny won the event. Manny...Manny....
Silently praying that nothing serious happened to Ricky, I was rejoicing for Manny. Graveh! it's overwhelming...so overwhelming that he gave such glory and pride to our country. Truly, despite the difficulties we had as a nation, there still lots of things to be thanked for and be proud for. Thank you Manny, thank you for making Filipinos proud because of your God given talent. Thank you for making me realize once again to be proud of being a Filipino.
Mabuhay ka Manny!!!
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