Philippines celebrates Pacquiao victory

The Philippines rejoiced yesterday at the victory of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao over his Mexican opponent in Texas, with even political rivals promising him a "hero's welcome" upon his return.

The fight was aired live on giant television screens in various parts of the country, including the southern city of General Santos where Pacquiao is running for a congressional seat.

Philippines Gloria Arroyo congratulated the hugely popular boxer for his victory over previously-unbeaten Jorge Solis, saying "the fighting faith of Manny Pacquiao is the fighting faith of the Filippino."

EMOTIONAL

Arroyo's husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, who is still recovering from major heart surgery on Tuesday, was not allowed to watch the fight as it might make him too emotional.

General Santos City Congresswoman Darlene Antonino Custodio was on hand to watch the fight at the city gymnasium with 5,000 people, even though Pacquiao is running against her in the May 14 elections.

Asked effect his victory in the ring would have on the coming polls, Custodio said, "It's up to the people but as far as the [political leaders] in the city, they will still give him a hero's welcome."

Custodio be seen cheering with the rest of the crowd when Pacquiao, affectionately known as the Pacman, weathered a head butt in the sixth round to win with a knockout in the eighth round.

Her party had previously filed a court petition for the fight not to be aired in General Santos, saying this would constitute unfair political advertising, but they withdrew their petition in the face of widespread public anger.

Television of the fight showed Filipinos at the Texas stadium, cheering a triumphant Pacquiao with the chant "congressman."

In Manila, about 3,000 spectators in a public stadium cheered and punched their fists in the air as they watched the fight on a giant screen.

OVERJOYED

"I was so overjoyed, I couldn't even imagine this," said taxi driver Joel Cawan, 28, who is also from General Santos.

"I follow all of his fights. I am just so happy to see his fights. I stop driving every time he fights," even if it means losing fares, he said.

However when asked if he would vote for Pacquiao in the coming elections, Cawan smirked and said, "I will not vote for him."

"Pacquiao is good in helping others, in helping the less fortunate, [but] politics is a dirty game. He may lose his credibility if he becomes a politician," he said.

In a post-fight interview aired on local television, Pacquiao refused to capitalize on his latest victory, saying "I am uniting our Filipinos in this hour. I do not want to talk about politics. But I showed that I can manage these two different things."