Totally Cebu

Pacquiao-Barrera II: A Cebuano's view

Here we are again. The awaited showdown of two of the strongest and finest boxers today is set to trade blows this coming October 6, 2007 (Oct. 7 in Philippine-time) at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for the WBC International Super Featherweight Title. People in the Philippines are also geared up to watch these two brawlers go all-out on the ring via live and delayed telecast on home television or the big screen.

The Pacquiao-Barrera II has been in the works for quite some time now and it’s quite relieving that the fight is finally here in just a little less than 48 hours. And I’m pretty sure that the Filipinos, especially the Cebuanos, are going to stay glued to their TVs in Sunday morning. This day has always been considered as family day for the Filipinos and it’s starting to become a tradition whenever Manny Pacquiao’s fight is aired. Many have considered Manny Pacquiao as today’s modern hero since he’s actually the only guy out there who brings the whole Filipino specie into unison. Quite charming and it indeed feels really good.

A phenomenon

I’ve always notice how Cebuanos provide such ample time to watch Manny Pacquiao’s fight. Back during the Pacquiao-Morales trilogy classic, me and my friends actually searched for a live telecast and what we found was that, the streets were almost empty. Few cars, jeepneys and taxis ply the Cebu streets and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this situation occur again this coming Sunday. For us Cebuanos, and the entire Philippines, it has become a national phenomenon to stay at home and watch the fight with the entire family, friends and even the whole community.

One of the most common occurrences during a Pacquiao fight is that there are those people who can’t seem to work out those silly moves of theirs. This one time, 4-5 people sent me a message that Pacquiao won in the 6^th round via TKO over Erik Morales while 1-2 people texted me Morales won via a unanimous decision. The same thing happened to my friends because they have relatives in the US informing them about the fight. I was like, "I don’t wanna hear that. I want to know the outcome of the fight myself whether it’s win or lose for Manny."

How silly indeed. Now I’m just going to turn my cellular phone off and just watch the fight in total isolation.

Predictions

Oh well, what’s a fight gonna be without predictions coming from several boxing icons, experts, ex-boxers and fans. We always have something to say and I did a little bit of research along the Cebu streets and asked my fellow Cebuanos who, they think, is going to win this Sunday.

"Barrera in Round 7. I’m not really confident about that but I just have this feeling." –Adrian Roy Vilbar, graphic artist

"Manny Pacquiao because I’m a Filipino."- Albert Payner, driver

"Pacman in Round 2 because he will never lose to a bum like Barrera.- Flynn Bojos, freelancer

"Draw."- Elena Carsas, siomai vendor

"I’m not fond of making predictions but I would like to see Pacquiao win via KO."- Tarciano Jaca, call center agent

"I’m with Pacquiao because he can sing."- Reynante Dumog, balut vendor

Well, there they are, just some of the predictions and views that several Cebuanos are pondering right now. The real thing happens this Sunday and I do believe that it’s going to be a knockout.

Popularity: 5% [?]