Large Filipino communities in the US got what former Channel 4 news reporter Romy Sager says was a ?boost in pride and patriotism? as a result of the victory by ring icon Manny Pacquiao who crowned himself WBC super featherweight champion after ekeing out a split decision win over Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday.
In an email to Viva Sports/Manila Standard, Sager said some sixty Filipinos gathered at the American Health Care headquarters, a multi-office building on Chicago?s northside owned and operated by Benjie and Norma Figueroa to enjoy the pay-per-view telecast on a wide-screen projection TV for what turned out to be a ?Party for Pacquiao.?
A buffet table and an abundantly replenished bar spiced up proceedings which began with the crowd joining in singing the Philippine national anthem. Sager told us that ?every major blow from Pacquiao was endorsed with ear-splitting screams ? and when Pacquiao decked Marquez in the third round ?tables and chairs went flying as Filipinos spontaneously jumped up with raised hands and clenched fists, shouts of ?whoo-hoo?, a brief victory dance and unending applause.?
Whenever Pacquiao was tagged Filipinos in the audience ?groaned with sympathetic pain.? One middle-aged Filipino-American seated in a corner offered Pacquiao unsolicited advise ? ?don?t let him get away next time.?
Sager reported that Filipinos would ?never back off from a friendly Clash-for-Cash for their ring idol.? He said ?a bet of $2,000 from Mexican friends in Chicago who backed Marquez was instantly matched by the Filipinos who fueled by pride and confidence in Manny chipped in $20, $50 and $100.? Sager added. ?Filipinos are now two grand richer after the fight and gave their Mexican friends an ?I told you so? admonition.?
Pacquiao fights have now become a legitimate reason for Filipino-Americans who are usually distanced by work and busy lifestyles to get together. In fact Pacquiao?s fights are regarded as ?a valid alibi to call in sick or abort scheduled overtime work."
Sager reported that the same scenario "reverberated across cities in America with large Filipino populations with Filipinos dancing in the streets albeit cautiously because of the still frigid fall weather.?
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