Man dies, traffic goes down as Cebuanos watch fight

Whenever he fights, People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao has that larger-than-life effect on Filipinos.

A 67-year-old resident of barangay Quiot, Cebu City died of a heart attack after seeing Pacquiao fall down in the 10th round of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) title bout against Sugar Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand Garden Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada yesterday.

But in Mandaue City which celebrated its annual fiesta yesterday Pacquiao’s eventual, if somewhat routinary victory, added more color to the festivities.

Otherwise, traffic went down as residents were glued to their TV and radio sets in their homes to monitor the fight.

Sonny Estremos was one of 50 people watching the Pacquiao-Mosley fight on pay-per-view at the home of his 27-year-old neighbor Dondon Murillio when he saw Pacquiao fall down the canvas after being pushed by Mosley.

The sight proved too much for the 67-year-old tailor’s heart.

“We heard that he has hypertension but it’s hard to tell because he seems to be in great shape,” Murillio told Cebu Daily News.

Quiet

Murillio said Estremos was a regular jogger and former Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member.

He said Estremos jogged and bought pork for his breakfast prior to watching the fight at his home.

Murillio said he noticed that Estremos was quiet even amid the cheering done by neighbors during the fight.

“We couldn’t confirm if he was included in the rounds of what we were drinking since there were a lot of people in the house watching,” he said.

Murillio didn’t get to finish the fight since he had to hail a taxi cab for Estremos to ride to Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).

“He must’ve been so excited when Manny fought back after he fell to the canvass on the 10th round,” he said.

At the CCMC, Estremos was being revived by doctors but he was not responsive.

Joan Estremos, the victim’s granddaughter, was at home when she was told about his death.

Almost zero traffic

Elsewhere, about 3,000 fans flocked to the gates of the Cebu City Sports Institute, formerly San Nicolas Sports Complex, to witness the fight between Pacquiao and Mosley.

A jubilant Cebu City Sports Commissioner Edward Hayco said he hopes that they can find another Pacquiao from among the crowd that watched the live fight yesterday.

The institute trains young, prospective boxers in barangays Pasil, Suba, Ermita, Duljo-Fatima, San Nicolas, Pahina San Nicolas and Sawang Calero, in Cebu City.

Hayco said these barangays can produce future champions due to their tough environment. “They are survivors and natural fighters,” he said.

Sylvan Jakosalem, Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) chairman, said there was a 70 percent drop in traffic volume due to the Pacquiao-Mosley fight yesterday.

Jakosalem was at the Radisson Hotel with the ALA fighters, who were honored by hotel management prior to the live telecast of the bout.

The Cebu City Mobile Patrol Group said they have zero alarm since 6 a.m. to 1 p.m since residents stayed at home to watch the fight.

Global figure

Msgr. Esteban Binghay, episcopal vicar of the Cebu Archdiocese, said he finished his 10 a.m. mass early because most parishioners wanted to watch the fight live.

Ben Tulda of the Cebu Coliseum said admission was down to 2,000 from last year’s 5,000 due to the presence of many venues offering the live screening of the Pacquiao-Mosley fight.

The University of Cebu (USC) gym, for example, offered pay per view telecast where Smart subscribers watched the bout for free.

On the other hand, Pacquiao’s Cebuano colleagues in Congress were profuse in congratulating the Saranggani lawmaker on his latest victory.

Rep. Eduardo Gullas of Cebu’s 1st district, who watched the match at a restaurant in barangay Lahug, Cebu City with his family yesterday, said Pacquiao is not just a national champion, but a “global figure.”

“We are proud that he traces his roots in Cebu. We are proud that he is a member of Congress. His winning against Mosley makes us proud and humble. It’s an epitome of humility and victory,” Gullas said.

Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of Cebu’s 4th district said Pacquiao holds the distinction of being the only congressman-boxer in the world.

“We must celebrate this victory as a nation,” Salimbangon said in a text message sent to Cebu Daily News. With Correspondents Carmel Loise Matus and Fatrick Tabada