From disbelief to pride: Celebs’ mixed reactions to Pacquiao loss

MANILA, Philippines – Shock. Sadness. Disbelief. Pride.

These were the overwhelming reactions of Manny Pacquiao’s celebrity fans online and offline after his shocking defeat in the hands of his long-time nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday, December 8 (Sunday, December 9 in Manila).

Many of Pacquiao’s celebrity friends and supporters, both foreign and local, expressed shock and disbelief when he hit the canvas during the 6th round of his fourth encounter with the Mexican pugilist at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics:

Feel like time has stopped still stunneddddd over this fight

— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) December 9, 2012

Model and TV personality Georgina Wilson

It was such a good fight and manny was fighting so well. I’m so shocked☹ my stomach is churning I feel nauseous☹ poor manny☹☹

— Georgina Wilson (@ilovegeorgina) December 9, 2012

Tourism Secretary Mon Jimenez

Shocking. Pero Pacquiao pa rin.

— Mon Jimenez (@Jimenez_Mon) December 9, 2012

Journalist Lisa Ling:

Pacman goes down.Wow.

— lisaling (@lisaling) December 9, 2012

Donita Rose

Am soooo sad. Manny got knocked out! It’s ok Manny…as long as you’re ok na. Good fight.

— Donita Rose (@RealDonitaRose) December 9, 2012

Lourd de Veyra

Here is where the story ends.

— Lourd de Veyra (@lourddv) December 9, 2012

Communications Sec. Ricky Carandang

I’m shocked.

— Ricky Carandang (@rickycarandang) December 9, 2012

Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado

Sad day for us Filipinos.Congrats to Juan Miguel Marquez.We still love you @mannypacqiao.Ikaw pa rin Ang Aming Pambansang Kamao.

— Lani Mercado Revilla (@lanimrevilla) December 9, 2012

Resilience, pride

Despite this, his fans, particularly his kababayans, said they are proud of what the 33-year-old boxing superstar has achieved.

“Manny trained hard and he fought hard in the ring. He has shown that he has the true heart of a champion and made us all proud to be Filipinos,” Vice President Jejomar Binay said in a statement.

“I am certain that Manny will rise from this adversity a better and stronger person with his faith in the Almighty even more unshakeable. We are proud of you, Manny,” he said.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, meanwhile, said his fellow Mindanaoan will rise up again, just like the victims of typhoon Pablo (Bopha).

“True champions are measured with how rise after defeat. We all witnessed Manny’s determination for this fight and at the same time how worried he was for his people in Sarangani and our fellow Mindanaoans affected by typhoon Pablo which devastated thousands of our kababayans,” Pimentel said in a statement.

“Filipinos are truly resilient and through bayanihan, we will rise again over Pablo and just like our true champion Manny Pacquiao, he will rise again and fight even harder. Mabuhay ka Manny!,” he added.

“Despite this surprising outcome, Manny Pacquiao is still an icon of perseverance, excellence and dedication not only to the soldiers of the AFP but to the millions of Filipinos who look up to him,” AFP spokesperson Col Arnulfo Burgos told ABS-CBN.

Here are more celebrity reactions on Twitter:

Ramon Bautista

Idol ka pa rin Manny!

— Ramon Bautista (@ramonbautista) December 9, 2012

Agot Isidro

You are our hero. And you’ve done so much for this country’s pride. But I think it’s time to hang up the gloves. We want you around.

— agot isidro (@agot_isidro) December 9, 2012

Former President Joseph Estrada

Weather-weather lang yan. We are still proud of you Manny #Pacquiao. #pacmarquez

— Joseph Estrada (@PresidentErap) December 9, 2012

Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder

Damn I had Pacman winning this one, glad he is ok after that knockdown! Congrats to Marquez! These boys always go at it!!

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) December 9, 2012

Marc Nelson

Manny fought like a 8x world champion, but more importantly he graciously accepted defeat like the true sportsman that he is #pacmanmarquez

— Marc Nelson (@QuickOffTheMarc) December 9, 2012

Rep. Emmeline Aglipay

@mannypacquiaoWe love you and we are so proud of you. Please have everything checked–to make sure everything’s okay. God bless you.

— Emmeline Aglipay (@EmAglipay) December 9, 2012

Jason Webb

Greatest filipino athlete of our generation. #mannypacquiao

— Jason Webb (@Jason_Webb_Phil) December 9, 2012

– Rappler.com