The local government of Lanao del Sur on Sunday offered a free viewing of the boxing match between Senator Manny Pacquiao and Australian Jeff Horn to Marawi City residents displaced by continuing firefights.
Hundreds of evacuees flocked to the social hall of the provincial capitol to watch the fight. For a few hours, they forgot that they were caught in the middle of a war, even though Pacquiao lost to Horn.
“Kahit kaunting kaligayahan man lang mabigyan ng break ang kababayan natin sa Marawi, hindi puro kalungkutan na lang tinatamasa nila,” said Vice Governor Bombit Adiong Jr.
(We hope we can give a little happiness to our countrymen here in Marawi, so it’s not all sadness that they’re feeling)
“Sa kaunting oras naging masaya kami, dahil sa nangyari sa Marawi nawala sakit sa puso namin,” one Marawi resident said. (Even for a little while, we were happy. The pain in our hearts subsided for a few moments)
At Camp Ranao in Marawi, some soldiers who were on their rest day also watched the Pacquiao-Horn fight via a small projector set up at the cafeteria.
“Manalo, matalo, Pacquiao pa rin kami. Pahinga muna sa giyera,” said one soldier. (Win or lose, we still love Pacquiao. And we’ll take a break from fighting to watch)
War continues in Marawi, but some soldiers in Camp Ranao spent their rest day in watching Pacquiao-Horn fight.
Some boxing fans, however, insisted that Pacquiao should have won.
“Walang rounds na hindi nanalo ang atin, ang nangyari sa Australia hindi pwede paniwalaan,” one resident said.
(There were no rounds where our guy didn’t win, the results in Australia are hard to believe)
“Klarong klaro, basag-basag mukha [ni Horn], si Pacquiao dito lang. Bakit panalo iyun?” another soldier said, as he pointed to the cuts on Pacquiao’s head.
(I’ts clear that his face was smashed [Horn’s], while Pacquiao was only a little cut. How did he win?)
No end to violence
The WBO welterweight title match, however, did not put a halt to military offensives against Islamic State-linked terrorists in Marawi.
Gunshots and explosions continued to clatter throughout the lakeside town as Pacquiao faced Horn.
“Hindi tayo nagpapahinga, tuloy-tuloy ito dahil nasa atin na ang momentum,” said Lt. Col. Joar Herrera, spokesman of Joint Task Force Marawi.
(We’re not taking a break. We’re moving full speed ahead because we have the momentum)
A humanitarian group, meanwhile, delivered supplies donated by Davao City residents to the soldiers.
The supplies included basic hygiene kits, survival kits and food packs for the troops. The goods were bought by Davao residents from a mall stall through the Support our Troops campaign.
The group that delivered the supplies also gave soldiers a painting depicting their support for the mission to liberate Marawi from terrorists, as well as messages of support from Davao children.
“Though the government provides for our soldiers, this is in support of what they needed here,” said Hope Militante Ferndez, president and founder of Humanitarian Organization for Peace Engagements.
Herrera said the aid will help boost the morale of state forces.
“Ito ang nagpapalakas sa ating mga sundalo lalo na sa mga challenges dito sa araw-araw. Nakikita natin na ang lakas ng Armed Forces ay hindi lang nanggagaling sa baril kungdi nanggagaling din sa suporta ng taong bayan,” he said.
(This is what gives us the strength to be able to face the daily challenges of war. The strength of the Armed Forces doesn’t come from a gun but from the support of the entire nation)
Re-published from ABS-CBN News
