From Las Vegas, boxer Manny Pacquiao's impressive knockout victory over Mexican Erik Morales in their rematch reverberated in Negros Occidental, where thousands of Negrenses gathered at public places to cheer on the Filipino ring idol, whose victory was described by leaders as a unifying force amid political divisiveness.

In Bacolod City, close to 1,500 residents flocked to the City Hall to watch the Pacquiao-Morales rematch live and without commercial breaks, while 1,500 more gathered at the Libertad, Burgos and Central markets to witness the clash.

Henry Tortocion, 82, a retired policeman from Barangay Villamonte, arrived as early as 8 a.m. for the fight that started around 12:30 p.m. and was rewarded with a front row seat. He skipped lunch but said it was all worth it, after watching Pacquiao deck Morales in the 10th round.

"Now, I can have lunch. This win is a big boost to the Filipino pride," Tortocion, who would show a fighting stance every time Pacquiao traded blows with Morales, told the DAILY STAR.

Like Tortocion, 65-year-old Melchor Lamata, a mechanic, arrived early at the City Hall grounds, where a 29-inch television set was installed, along with two 21-inch TVs.

Business was brisk also for vendors, who roamed around the City Hall grounds. "My income today tripled even for just a few hours staying here," Duhzura Dumip-ig, 67, a cigarette vendor from Brgy. 10, said in Ilonggo.

Rogelio Cantilla, an ice scramble vendor, said he expected additional income yesterday because many viewers at the City Hall grounds where buying his products.

But another vendor, Sandy Flores, who sells "halo-halo", said Pacquiao's victory was more important than his additional earnings.

Over at the BAYS Center, about 200 residents watched the fight on a slightly delayed basis in a widescreen provided by ABS-CBN, while the huge crowds at the Robinsons Place Foodcourt and the Gaisano City Atrium Area roared as Pacquiao made the country proud again with his victory.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia called several times to his staff at the City Hall from Las Vegas, reiterating that Bacoleños rally behind Pacquiao because he is an adopted son of the city, a press release from the City Mayor's Office said.

Saying his triumph exemplifies the indomitable fighting spirit of a Filipino, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the Philippines in hailing Pacquiao's success, which is expected to go down in history as one of the greatest victories by any boxer from Asia.

"I join Filipinos from every corner of the Philippines and the world over in congratulating Manny Pacquiao on his very convincing victory," Arroyo said in a statement.

Appearing in tip-top shape, Pacquiao, an adopted son of Bacolod City, wore down and decked Morales for the first time in his career with a sweeping right hook in the 10th round, before finishing off the Mexican with a flurry of punches that prompted referee Ken Bayless to stop the fight at the 2:33 mark.

"Manny's triumph exemplifies the indomitable fighting spirit of the Filipino not just in the field of sports but also in every field of struggle for excellence," the President, who called up Pacquiao to congratulate him in the middle of an interview after the fight.

Pacquiao, in turn, thanked the President for her all-out support.

"May this serve as an inspiration and constant reminder to all our countrymen that the Filipino can be the best in any endeavor when he puts his heart into it," Arroyo further said.

Pacquiao's triumph is actually the second major sporting victory for the country constantly rocked by political turmoil in as many months, after the Philippines' historic overall championship in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games in December.

"Manny has unified a divided country and this is the way Filipinos should be. Taas noo, kahit kanino (Be proud to be a Filipino). This is the lesson Manny taught us with his victory," Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, who watched the fight at ringside and delivered a blow-by-blow account of the fight over Bombo Radyo, said in a text message.

Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon congratulated Pacquiao, adding that "Filipinos especially Negrenses, are very happy because their prayers were answered".

"His (Pacquiao) victory makes everyone in this country proud to be a Filipino. I wish him luck in the future. God is blessing him not only through his finances but also with his victories…maybe because he is a good steward of those blessings," Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson (Neg. Occ., 3rd district) said.

Negrense sports commissioner Ritchie Garcia said, every win in the field of sports, just like the SEA Games, serves as a unifying factor for the Philippines.

Philippine Volleyball Federation president Roger Banzuela said it was good that Pacquiao learned from his mistakes in his first match against Morales, won by the Mexican.

Meanwhile, Provincial Sports Development officer-in-charge Manuel de Oro said he hopes Pacquiao's win will encourage more young Negrenses to take up boxing as a sport.

"I hope that the win will also boost the boxing programs in the Philippines," he added.

Former Bacolod councilor Monju Guanzon, concurrent president of the Negros Amateur Boxing Association, said the victory of Pacquiao shows Filipino boxers could not be underestimated.

"This win not only secures Pacquiao's future but also fosters the future of other Filipino boxers," Guanzon, whose organization has produced many world-class amateur boxers, including Olympic silver medalist Mansueto Velasco and Roel Velasco. NABA vice-president Oscar "Dodong" Bascon said Pacquiao came ready for Morales. "If Morales was not knocked out, Pacquiao would have still won it by decision," Bascon said.

Bascon's observation was shared by female boxer Mitchel Martinez, a SEA Games gold medalist, who said she was happy because Pacquiao's determination and discipline bore fruit with the knockout victory.*CPT/CIT

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