After the devastating effects of Pablo on Mindanao...  we thought the bad news was over... but ... then we had this weekend... 

-------------------------------------------
I remember Coach Chot mentioned after the FIBA Asia Cup in Japan... he said that it is a different feeling/pressure altogether when the name printed on your chests is the country that you represent. Just like the victory is much sweeter... the weight of defeat would seem more crushing.  
--------------------------------------------

Azkals

The last time I watched them play was in the Final Game vs Taipei during the peace cup a couple of months back, and it was not as electric as last night, especially when it came to the number of fans on the stands on the cheers. But when the final whistle was blown, and the score was still 0-0, ofcourse everyone felt disappointed. 

But when I saw the Azkals take customary post-game walk around the stadium after the match, though we (the crowd) was somehow disappointed that it was a draw, we couldn't help but cheer in encouragement because you could really feel the disappointment radiating from them. Either it was because they couldn't score a goal in the match, or because they wanted to dedicate the game win the victims of Typhoon Pablo, the frustration was evident. 

I may have gone to see us make history... but seeing your faces as you walked around the stadium... faces that felt so dejected because you couldn't get a W infront of the thousands who came to Rizal Memorial Stadium to cheer you... so we cheer for you... you who sacrifice so much, just like your parents who connects you to us... you sacrifice so much for the Filipino people... and we thank you...

---------------------
after a couple of hours.... 
---------------------
I, unlike everyone else who was watching via PPV in bars, restaurants, and in other homes... I was just watching twitter during the fateful minutes that the world watched the PacquiaoMarquez4 Match. I was feeding off the emotions off the people around the world...

when Manny got KO in the 3rd round... and then when Marquez got caught in the 5th... and finally that punch in the 6th when it all ended... 

the shock... the tears... the surge of emotion... the expression of disbelief... and finally the feeling of resolve and saying... we still love you Manny... we stood with you in triumph... we will stand with you in defeat... 
------------------------

#FilipinoPride (top trending tweet worldwide)

In defeat, in emotional moments... we comfort each other... and we say that we still support them no matter what... 
As a nation, somehow we're used to getting the short end of the stick... we're used to losing... to being the ones to suffer... we've experienced it so much that we know how to cope... 

So that when it comes to our athletes... its ok for them to loose... as long as we see that they put your whole heart into the fight, holding nothing back...  

- for the Azkals.... just like your parent/s, we know that you will not only fight back, but you will succeed when you go battle in Singapore. Because somehow... when you are considerered the "underdogs" , that is when the HEART comes out and gives you the extra push to win it all. 
 
- for Manny.. even in defeat you demonstrate the class of true sportmanship... and that's the what gives us, the GLOBAL PINOY COMMUNITY, Pride in the midst of defeat... 


FINALLY... 

Azkals... as you go to SIngapore... take this memory with you... the Filipino Nation may be harsh at times, but even if you do not win... just knowing that you leave it all on the court is enough for us....  

CONGRESSMAN MANNY PACQUIAO... THANK YOU. Whatever you decide after this, we're standing behind you. You've taken us on your shoulders in the last decade and made the Philippines known to the world... our nation is in a much better place because of you.