L.A. AREA PINOYS IN FULL SUPPORT OF PACQUIAO
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 27 Nov 2008
Los Angeles, CA:- Hey folks, its Wednesday again and time for my weekly report from the Team Pacquiao camp.
In spite of the first rains for the fall season, before proceeding to the gym, I thought I would run my errands and at the same time find materials for this piece other than those I usually get at the gym.
I went to three places and there I decided to talk to people, Pinoys particularly to get their feel of the Dream Match.
Mind you though, this quasi survey on how Pinoys feel about the Dream Match is far from being a scientific survey to get the actual opinion of the majority, but its for fun and that?s all that counts.
I wore a custom made Pacquiao T-shirt made by one of my patients using a photo I took of Pacquiao at the Wildcard Gym. This made it easy for me to approach Pinoys I don?t even know.
I was out at the Costco store at West Hills. I approached and spoke to a nice gentleman who was there shopping with his wife. ? Hi,? he said, ?I am Jhun Parungao and this is my wife Loida. We are from Woodland Hills. Of course we are for Pacquiao because we know he will win for all of us?, he added. Then he said, ?Where did you get your shirt??
I also talked to a fellow who said he is from the Simi Valley in Ventura County. Staring at my shirt he said- ?Hey, you must be a big Pacquiao supporter. I am too. I have a house in Vegas and I plan to get the PPV to entertain my friends there on December 6th?. Oh my name is Willie Gedang and I am glad to meet you.
Wow, I am sure HBO will appreciate that!
Then at the Topanga Plaza I bumped into old friends, Orlie and Corina Cagatao. ?I see you are proudly supporting Pacquiao. You know, we do too but we have concerns about Oscar?s size. However we know Pacquiao can handle him?, Orlie stated.
From Topanga, I went over to Fry?s Electronics to check out new compact flash cards to use with my camera during the fight. Predictably, I met some Pinoys who were shopping as well.
I asked the first one I met what he thinks about the fight? The guy seemed to be a nerd with his thick rim glasses and clean cut look. ? Oh, there?s a fight? I didn?t know that? he said. I just smiled at him and thank him for at least acknowledging my question.
Then there was this elder man with his young adolescent companion who I assumed was his grand son. When he saw my shirt, he gave a big smile and said, ? Filipino ka ano? Kasi ako Filipino din at kay Pacquiao ako. Tiyak na panalo yan?
The fellow attending to me at Fry?s happen to be a Filipino American. He mentioned that he is leaning on putting his money on Pacquiao because Oscar is ?now past his prime and he will have lots of trouble with the very fast Pacquiao.?
His partner, a Latino had a different opinion. He said, ?Oscar is old but he is still dangerous and I am sure he would not like to lose to a smaller guy.?
So there you go folks .Seven out of nine. That?s not too bad at all, isn?t it? As I mentioned, it was a rough survey but it gave me a feel how Pinoys feel about the fight.
Back at the gym, it was nice to note that almost all of the Pinoy scribes are now in town. People like Giongco of the Bulletin, Cordero of the Phil Star, Ochoa of the Inquirer and even the folks from GMA. Hermie Rivera, the veritable scribe from up north was there as well. With those folks plus Lagumbay, Secuya and Ligas of PhilBoxing, I am sure every iota of anything Pacman will be reported.
Nothing could be nicer than that!
Pacquiao did his usual routine with Freddie Roach holding the mitts. Pacquiao seems to be peeking. His punches are harder and as usual, he did not miss a beat through out the more than 3 hours of training.
Oh. during dinner at the Thai Restaurant next door to the gym, Pacquiao called out Dong Secuya for a chess game. ?Punta ka sa condo. Chess tayo at babawi ako?, he said.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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