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

Rappler.com
Posted on 12/09/2012 3:06 PM  | Updated 12/09/2012 10:38 PM

THE WHOLE COUNTRY FELT PACQUIAO's FALL. Pinoys — including celebrities — were quick to express their sentiments on social media. Photo by AFPTHE WHOLE COUNTRY FELT PACQUIAO's FALL. Pinoys — including celebrities — were quick to express their sentiments on social media. Photo by AFP

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:

Model and TV personality Georgina Wilson

Tourism Secretary Mon Jimenez

Journalist Lisa Ling:

Donita Rose

Lourd de Veyra

Communications Sec. Ricky Carandang

Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado

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

Agot Isidro

Former President Joseph Estrada

Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder

Marc Nelson

Rep. Emmeline Aglipay

Jason Webb

- Rappler.com


This story makes people happy
How did this story make you feel?

EDITOR'S PICK



Who will inherit the throne?

Rappler takes you through the Miss Philippines Earth 2013 competition with these specials: