Last Sunday, I was glued to my television set watching intensely the boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Before the start of the fight I was somehow uncertain about the result fearing that Manny may lose once again considering his stunning knockout at the hands of Juan Miguel Marquez or maybe lose as a result of another split decision.
But as soon as Fil-Am Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez belted out the Philippine national anthem, I remembered my pride as a Filipino and this time rooted for Manny regardless of the result.
In the first few rounds, I saw Manny fighting neatly and teaching Bradley what boxing is all about and I could sense that our champion was tremendously serious about the fight.
Manny was fast and quick and had better footwork this time especially in evading Bradley’s punches. As the rounds went on I sensed that Manny was boxing perfectly.
Bradley was quick but not as fast as Manny, always throwing punches into the wind.
As the fight was coming to an end, I sensed that Bradley was hoping for one knockout punch but Manny was very smart inside the ring because he never gave Bradley the opportunity to knock him down as he displayed his defensive skills.
As the 12th round was about to start, I concluded that with the way the fight was going there was no way for Bradley to win because I was sure most of the rounds went to Manny.
When the match ended, I quietly celebrated the well-deserved victory of Manny Pacquiao over the fast-talking Timothy Bradley. Manny Pacquiao methodically defeated Timothy Bradley and that settled once and for all the controversial victory of Bradley two year ago.
Manny Pacquiao proved Bradley’s fist was not as fast as his mouth and convincingly reclaimed the championship from Tim Bradley that he had once held and was cheated from him in a controversial split decision that favored Bradley two years ago.
This time, Manny Pacquiao put the issue to rest by winning decisively and the entire nation celebrated the clear win.
Congratulations to Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao: You have proven many people wrong about you and your future. This is indeed a proud moment for the nation and its people.
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When fire broke out in barangay Lorega, Cebu City many were concerned about where to place the many victims.
So Mayor Michael Rama suggested that we ask the permission of the Jesuit priests to temporarily use the old Sacred Heart School campus along Gen. Maxilom Avenue because it has a better and wider space.
Luckily, the Jesuit management agreed to the suggestion of Mayor Rama and the fire victims were temporarily housed in the campus. But recently I was informed that Fr. Manny Uy, president of the Ateneo de Cebu-Sacred Heart School sent the mayor a letter requesting the departure of the fire victims.
The uncouth behavior of the survivors prompted the request. The electric and water bills of the school skyrocketed and many of its properties like the comfort rooms sustained damage. Toilets were not serviceable after they were clogged while some are now closed. Petty quarrels among the temporary residents occur daily. Human waste is thrown into the garbage container near the swimming pool.
I think the fire victims should return to Lorega so that they can start rebuilding their homes. It is only fitting to keep clean and orderly the place where we are temporarily accommodated.
Since the victims failed to do so, the Sacred Heart School officials may have regretted their generosity by allowing them to stay.
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