The Filipinos literally stopped during that moment when Manny Pacquiao fell in the canvass. 

While most were shocked with the unexpected knockout, the nation silently prayed and called for Pacman to stand up, no, to wake up and show the world that our People’s Champ is still alive. 

While the Mexicans started their celebration, the Filipinos slowly accepted the defeat of their idol, the defeat the nation shared with the one who brought fame and glory for the Filipino people. 

Pacman cried, not for himself, but for the millions of people who expected his victory. He said in interviews that what pains him the most is the pain felt by his family and the whole nation who are not used to seeing him lost a bout. 

Pacman is slowly recovering from his failure to once and for all prove that he is the better fighter than the determined Juan Manuel Marquez, and so are the Filipinos. 

After that deciding fight, netizens poured their messages of support to Pacman, anchormen held their tears while interviewing the Pacquiao couple, politicians who flocked to Las Vegas expressed confidence that Pacman will overcome from this defeat, and even the ordinary Filipinos agreed with their champion that “Sometimes you win, sometimes, you lose.” 

For a decade, the nation rejoiced in Pacman’s victories that downed too many Mexican boxers. 

Now, while Mexicans savor their win, let us join our idol in his lowest moment and show the world, that despite KO, Pacquiao is still the Pinoy Pride.*