Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao dedicates his title match against Brandon Rios to the Filipinos who suffered the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda that hits Visayas on November 8. Pacquiao’s inspiration are the Filipino victims but according to the victims, Manny’s victory lift their spirits and served as inspiration for them.
Tacloban Resident Watching Pacquiao (Photo: Jinky Fabelico Twitter)
The much-needed victory of the national boxing hero of the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao was celebrated by the Filipino victims of super typhoon Yolanda which left hundreds of thousands homeless and jobless particularly in the heavily-affected Samar and Leyte provinces.
The Philippine government have set up four public viewing areas in Tacloban City for the WBO International Welterweight Title fight of Pacquiao vs. Rios, to lift the spirits of the resident who are victims of Yolanda. For a brief moment the Tacloban City residents, who lost their homes, livelihoods and even their loved ones forgot their misery as they watched a free, and live broadcast of Pacquiao’s overwhelming victory over Brandon Rios.
Spokesman of President Aquino, Herminio Coloma congratulated Manny Pacquiao by saying, “Just like Manny, we will triumph over our current problems by working together… In the face of a tough fight, he has displayed the strength and the character of the Filipino.” Coloma stated.
After the 34-year-old Manny Pacquiao’s victory he stated he inspired further the Filipinos by stating, “This is not about my comeback,” he said in the ring immediately after the verdict Sunday. “This is about my people’s comeback from a natural disaster and a natural tragedy.” Pacquiao said.
