It was a grueling 12th round as bitter rivals Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Juan Manuel “El dinamita” Marquez made a final onslaught for a shot at the WBO welterweight championship belt, last November 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Overwhelmed by 16,000 screaming fans – the bell finally sounded, bringing World War III to a halt.

And so the scorecards were announced: 114-114, 115-113, 116-112 – Pacquiao wins by majority decision – or did he?

Just like dropping a burning match on an oil spill – tweets, blogs and news articles, blazing with the same sentiment, set the virtual jungle afire.

The fight was definitely a worldwide topic! Watch this clip from a foreign news program, reporting on Pacquiao’s win

Did he really win the slugfest? Maybe. Maybe not.

But LBC saw things in a different light. The November 14 Philippine Star placement took on a bigger role as the message “Iba umagapay ang Pilipino” (loosely translated as “The exceptional Filipino camaraderie”) somehow explained why Manny won and why he will keep winning fights – on and off the boxing ring.

It’s because of the unwavering support of people like his best friend and trainer, Restituto “Buboy” Fernandez – who unashamedly carried Pacquiao amidst the booing Mexican crowd. It’s because of the millions of Filipinos who immediately searched for logical explanations to validate the controversial win. It’s because of the way he incited us to defend our pride as a nation.

Such reasons inspire LBC to continue championing the Filipino dream, regardless of what life may bring.

Marquez may have had Pacquiao’s numbers, but with Buboy and the Filipino people by his side, he still is the People’s Champ.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Print ad copy loosely translated:

“The exceptional Filipino camaraderie”

Since the beginning, one man stood by the People’s Champ through thick and thin – whose support and loyalty remained steadfast in victory or defeat.

Just like Restituto “Buboy” Fernandez, LBC believes in the greatness of the Filipinos’ spirit of camaraderie.

Long live Manny! Long live the Filipino!