
MANNY'S INSPIRATION AT LEYTE AND SAMAR
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Dec 2013

Leyte and Samar were graced by the presence of national boxing hero Congressman Manny Pacquiao who shared part of his income to the typhoon-ravaged people of Eastern Visayas. Allegedly borrowing money after his bank accounts and properties were garnished and frozen by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Manny spent time with the depressed places handing out relief goods, bibles and some cash.
Pacquiao gave inspiration to the devastated people citing that he was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez but was able to rise and win again. He would never skip the encouragement of asking the help of the Almighty in times of heavy trials such as the great calamity.
He even slept in a tent to get a taste of what it felt to be a typhoon victim living in a temporary shelter. Anywhere he went, the residents would line up to get a glimpse of their idol, others hoping they could get a share of his graces.
Tacloban City was grateful to the greatest Asian boxer who ever lived and once the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world for helping the victims of the greatest super typhoon to ever make landfall in the planet.
Pacquiao even made his presence during the city hall's Monday flag ceremony. He was accompanied by Mayor Alfred Romualdez, Congressman Martin Romualdez and businessman Philip Romualdez, who lent his helicopter for Pacquiao to take a sky view of the destruction.
He also went to Ormoc City where the Cebuano-speaking Leyte residents or "Kana" were predominant. He ended his Yolanda stint there and flew back home. Ormoc was also severely damaged but had fewer casualties at 34 because there was no storm surge there. He was warmly accommodated by Mayor Edward Codilla of this independent component city.
His mere presence already gave inspiration to the Great Yolanda Depression and his win over Brandon Rios ignited awesome stimulus to the "Warays" and "Kanas" alike. He is a gallant gift giving genius, the envy of some political enemies who are trying to pull him down but to no avail.
Distraction by the BIR and Destruction by Yolanda were the two major incidents which the "Pambansang Kamao" dealt at the moment. He set an example of not being out-punched by the two big disgusting events.
Manny is an epitome of dedicated public service which other public officials should emulate. Mabuhay ka Manny!
By the way, we were also in Tacloban and Ormoc yesterday handing out donations to the two city mayors. Our city was the first LGU to deliver relief goods to Ormoc in cooperation with the Gawad Kalinga three days after Yolanda hit the city. We also sent our rescue team to help in the retrieval operations of cadavers in Tacloban where they were able to retrieve 128 dead bodies and placed inside body bags. Another team was sent to Tacloban to assist DSWD in packing of the relief goods. We also let them borrow our water purifier machine and our fire truck. Though Maasin City received a Signal No. 4 warning, yet our city had a zero casualty.

Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco (left) and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez (right).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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