Congratulatory messages from Philippine leaders, with President Arroyo leading the pack, poured in for Manny Pacquiao who scored another sensational boxing win on Sunday.
The country's chief executive, who left for Egypt Saturday for a working visit, was ecstatic over the victory of Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in Las Vegas, a Malacañang official said Sunday.
Pacquiao claimed the IBO/The Ring Magazine junior welterweight title with a stunning second round knockout of Britain's Ricky Hatton.
The 30-year-old southpaw twice knocked the Englishman to the canvass in the opening round before ending the fight with a stinging left hook two minutes and 59 seconds into the second round.
“President Arroyo is very happy. While we were not able to watch the fight because we are on our working visit, news of Pacquiao’s victory was greeted by the [Philippine] delegation with great jubilation,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde told radio dzMM.
On Saturday Mrs. Arroyo and her delegation left for Cairo for a working visit to Egypt and scheduled state visit in Syria.
Remonde said Pacuiao’s victory was relayed to the Philippine delegation in Egypt by Quezon 3rd district Rep. Danilo Suarez.
Remonde, who is also acting executive secretary, added that Mrs. Arroyo “is joining the entire nation in thanking God and in jubilation over this spectacular victory of Manny Pacquiao.”
“May his victory inspire all Filipinos to triumph against all odds,” Remonde said. “May his example of continuing to learn and improve be emulated by our people especially the young,” he added in a text message.
Remonde said “The People’s Champ” will be received by the President in Malacañang and given a hero’s welcome when he comes home.
Deputy palace spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo, meantime, said in a text message, that “President Arroyo and the whole nation join the whole world in celebrating the victory of Manny Pacquiao.”
“His courage, dignity and love of God and country exemplifies the Filipino spirit of sportsmanship and his resiliency in pursuing his dreams of bringing honor to our country,” noted Fajardo.
Showcases Pinoy’s excellence
Vice President Noli de Castro also congratulated the Filipino boxing icon.
“Manny exceeded our expectations with his exceptional boxing skills, speed and strength. His victory is the victory of every Filipino. I personally commend Manny Pacquiao for continuing to showcase Filipino's excellence to the world,” he said in a text message.
He added: “He is truly an inspiration to Filipinos who strive in the face of their daily challenges.”
“Living legend”
House Speaker Prospero Nograles on Sunday also praised Philippine boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao.
Nograles, who flew with other congressmen to the US to watch the fight, said Pacquiao's victory silenced Hatton's boisterous British fans who came in droves to watch the fight.
“The British flew here with so much band and noise and songs and cheers, all sound and fury signifying nothing. But after two minutes, they were shocked with the speed and power [of Pacquiao]. Mismatch really. Pacman from Mindanao is now a legend in his time. What else can the world say?" Nograles told reporters through a text message.
Former president Joseph Estrada, for his part, also said that Pacquiao is “truly a living legend.”
“He is truly an inspiration to Filipinos everywhere, showing that through discipline and faith, great things are possible; a living legend who has brought the nation together in this moment of glory for the Filipino people,” Estrada said in a statement.
Several senators also congratulated the world’s pound-for-pound boxing king.
“Manny Pacquiao has given notice to the world of the prowess and fighting spirit of the Filipino. He has single-handedly raised the prestige of the Filipinos as courageous, disciplined and patriotic. Just like our Overseas Filipino Workers, Pacquiao deserved the title of ‘hero,’” said Sen. Loren Legarda in a faxed statement.
“His triumph is shared by the entire Filipino people to whom he had dedicated his record-breaking fight. But it is as much as an individual triumph arising from him indubitable courage, his solid self-discipline and his single-minded determination win,” she added.
Discipline and humility
Another lady senator, Pia Cayetano, noted that “Pacquiao personifies triumph of the human spirit.”
Cayetano added, “As an athlete, I myself am awed by his discipline, respect for his coach, humility even in times of great victory, and love for God and country.”
She noted, “From his humble beginnings as a bakeshop and fish-port worker in General Santos City and as a struggling young boxer who fought on weekends just to buy food for his family, Manny worked his way up to become world champion in six different weight classes, joining the ranks of boxing legends, and with this latest conquest, the pound-for-pound king of his generation.”
Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said that Manny “showed the world how Filipinos can be the best.”
“Patunay si Manny na kaya nating mga Pilipino na maging pinakamahusay sa mundo,” he said in a statement.
“Muling ipinakita ni Manny kung ano ang tunay na kakayahan ng Pilipino kapag naghanda, nagmatyag, at nagpursigi sa isang layunin,” noted Pangilian.
Pride of Filipinos
For Sen. Richard Gordon, “Manny is truly the pride of our beloved country. His discipline and good work ethic is something that we must emulate in order to gloriously overcome the challenges that come before us.”
Gordon, who is also Philippine National Red Cross chairman, in a statement also said, “With his newest victory, Manny is indeed the undisputed champion of all time not only inside the boxing ring but also in the heart of every Filipino.”
Meanwhile, Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) chairman Manny V. Pangilinan echoed what the political leaders said of Pacquiao.
“Manny Pacquiao’s stunning victory over such a formidable opponent has made all Filipinos prouder as a nation,” he said in a statement.
“With his shining example, our faith in God and a lot of hard work, I am hopeful we will finally win our Olympic Gold,” he concluded.President Arroyo was ecstatic over the victory of Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in Las Vegas, a Malacañang official said Sunday.
Pacquiao claimed the IBO light-welterweight title with a stunning second round knockout of Britain's Ricky Hatton.
The 30-year-old southpaw twice knocked the Englishman to the canvas in the opening round before ending the fight with a stinging left hook two minutes and 39 seconds into the second round.
“President Arroyo is very happy. While we were not able to watch the fight because we are on our working visit, news of Pacquiao’s victory was greeted by the [Philippine] delegation with great jubilation,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde told radio dzMM.
On Saturday Mrs. Arroyo and her delegation left for Cairo for a working visit to Egypt and scheduled state visit in Syria.
Remonde said Pacman’s victory was relayed to the Philippine delegation by Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez.
Remonde, who is a concurrent acting executive secretary, added that Mrs. Arroyo “is joining the entire nation in thanking God and in jubilation over this spectacular victory of Manny Pacquiao.”
“May his victory inspire all Filipinos to triumph against all odds and may his example continue [to] be emulated by our people especially the young,” Remonde said.
Remonde said Pacquiao will be received by the President in Malacañang and given a hero’s welcome when he comes home.
Vice President Noli de Castro also congratulated the Filipino boxing icon.
“Manny exceeded our expectations with his exceptional boxing skills, speed and strength. His victory is the victory of every Filipino. I personally commend Manny Pacquiao for continuing to showcase Filipino's excellence to the world,” he said in a text message.
He added: “He is truly an inspiration to Filipinos who strive in the face of their daily challenges.”
Source:http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
Congratulation Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao!
From ABS-CBN Team Kapamilya
Update May 2, 2009 11:00 PM ET:
Pacquiao Won via Round 2 TKO! Congratulations Manny Pacquiao! Once again, you made us proud! A Replay Video of Pacquiao Vs Hatton is available below! Manny Pacquiao beats Ricky Hatton via technical knockout in the second round in MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, snatching the light welterweight crown and carving his name as one of the legends in boxing history. Pacquiao cemented his claim to being the best pound-for-pound boxer Saturday night with a spectacular performance that ended with Hatton sprawled out on the canvas after a devastating left hand to the head late in the second round. Pacquiao is now the new IBO Light-Welterweight Champion of the world!
Here’s another photo:
