PACQUIAO CONGRATULATES NEW MISS UNIVERSE PIA WURZTBACH; DEDICATES HIS NEXT FIGHT TO HER
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 22 Dec 2015
For displaying utmost courage, composure, poise, humility and patriotism -- traits which he said are very Filipino -- international boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao yesterday paid tribute to compatriot Pia Alonzo Wurztbach for crowning herself the most beautiful woman in the world.
"Courage is grace under pressure -- this is what Pia showed in the middle of the confusion and controversy that marked her coronation as the new Miss Universe," Pacquiao said in reference to paux pas that was committed by show host Steve Harvey in first announcing that it was Miss Colombia who won the much-coveted crown with the Cagayan de Oro native as runner up.
"Miss Wurztbach, likewise, displayed extraordinary poise and composure when the initial announcement was corrected. Humility when she was, with finality, adjudged as the official winner. She even apologized to Miss Colombia for the fiasco that happened," the father of five children with wife, Sarangani Vice Gov. Jinkee, remarked.
"Itong mga ipinakita ni Pia na ito ay karakter at kaugaliang napaka-Pilipino na sinabi po ng ating mga ninuno kung saan ay hinangaan tayo at iginalang ng buong mundo," he stressed.
But Pacquiao said he admires the new Miss Universe more for her love of country, which Wurztbach pronounced after he lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in their "Fight of the Century" encounter last May, also in Las Vegas.
"Remember when I lost to Floyd last May, she made a promise to all of us Filipinos that she will avenge that defeat comes the Miss Universe pageant which she just has fulfilled," Pacquiao recalled.
"Ipinangako niya yun at tinupad niya. Ang masabi ko lang ay tatandaan ko ang mga yun which I intend to use as an inspiration and additional motivavtion for me in my next fight," he declared.
Kung kaya nga't ipinanganga ko rin sa kaniya na iniaalay ko sa kanya at sa mga kababayan natin ang susunod kong laban at pipilitin ko ring ipanalo alang-alang sa bayan," Pacquiao vowed.
Pacquiao has yet to decide though who among his probable opponents -- Terence Crawford, Tim Bradley and Amir Kahn he will be fighting on April 9, the day he plans to hang his gloves to dedicate himself to government service.
A Congressman representing the Province of Sarangani in the Lower House, Pacquiao is running for senator in next elections.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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