Manny Pacquiao said,”The Filipino is the eighth wonder of the world.”
The congressman from Sarangani, Philippines, Manny Pacquiao, came home to a warrior’s welcome at the House of Representatives on Monday after becoming the first sitting congressman to win a boxing championship.
In a privilege speech before his fellow lawmakers, the congressman dedicated his triumph over Mexican Antonio Margarito to all Filipinos worldwide.
“The victory of the Filipino people in Texas, USA last November 14 is a testament that the Filipino race can rise above all odds and be the best in their chosen fields. Ang tagumpay na ito ay tagumpay nating lahat. Nagpapatunay na iba ang lahing Pinoy,” he said to rousing applause inside the plenary hall.
Pacquiao credited his Filipino supporters, including congressmen who flew to Nevada to watch the fight, for giving him the strength to overcome a challenger who was taller and heavier than him.
“My championship belt in the 8th weight division, the first in the history of boxing, shall forever cement the Filipino people as the eighth wonder of the world,” he added.
Pacquiao was awarded the Congressional Medal of Distinction by his own peers on Monday, which is the second time that he will receive the congressional award. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said the congressional medal is the highest award that can be bestowed by Congress.
“We are overjoyed and proud that we have a member like Manny Paquiao. We want to show that we are proud of him and he has done so much for our country and our people and this is one way that we can show it,” he said. Pacquiao first received the award in the 14th Congress when he was not yet congressman.
The People’s Champ remarked on how beautiful the medal was before thanking his colleagues for the honor.
“This is probably the warmest welcome I’ve ever had,” he told reporters.
After the ceremony, one congressman asked the Speaker to adjourn the session so that they could go straight to a private victory dinner with Pacquiao.
With reports from ABS CBN News
Please visit the Guestbook. Arch. Ronel Pabico of Cavinti, Laguna, stationed in Riyadh, K,S.A. posted this noteworthy article he read in a magazine, “What We Can Learn From the Humility, Empathy and Grace of Manny Pacquiao.” He thinks it is worth a read by every Filipino, hence this post.