Pacquiao fight to be broadcast in typhoon-struck Tacloban

TACLOBAN, Philippines // Hoping to lift the spirits of thousands of people left homeless by a deadly typhoon in the Philippines, cable operators on Saturday set up TV screens inside an astrodome, near a church and in other landmarks in the devastated region to broadcast live boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s comeback fight.

Officials said that rooting for Pacquaio in Tacloban and other places ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan two weeks ago would help inspire survivors as they struggle to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of the destruction that killed more than 5,000 people.

Cable inspector Allan Larano said he and other technicians from the country’s largest cable provider, Sky Cable, were setting up the screen at the Tacloban astrodome, around which the displaced have taken shelter in tents and inside ground-floor shops.

Much hope is pinned on Pacquiao in his homeland. He is returning to the ring to fight Brandon Rios in Macau on Sunday. It will be Pacquiao’s first fight since his knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez last year, following a defeat by decision to Timothy Bradley.

Boxing analyst Ronnie Nathanielz said that Pacquiao has always dedicated his fights to the Philippines, but Sunday’s bout “takes on a special significance because of the devastation.”

“His impressive performance will lift the spirit of the people, no matter what,” Nathanielz said.

Civil defence chief Eduardo del Rosario said that win or lose, Pacquiao’s performance is “a very, very welcome opportunity for us to relax and unite as a people.”

“At least we will see the Filipino spirit fighting for our country,” he said.

In Tacloban, Pacquiao fan Anatolio Cabalida eagerly awaited the fight.

“He’s my idol,” the 70 year old said.

Dioscoro Balano said he hoped to be able to watch the fight with a neighbor who has a generator.

“If he wins, it will be a big boost to the morale of the typhoon victims,” he said.

Army Cpl. Joseph Reyes looked forward to Pacquiao’s donating some of his winnings to the typhoon victims. Reyes is stationed at the seaside Tacloban airport whose terminal building was one of the buildings severely damaged by walls of water.

Larano said that two other cable TV teams were preparing smaller TV screens near a church and the Leyte provincial capitol.

Philippine broadcaster GMA television also will install large screens at the Tacloban city hall and at a park, said network Vice President Rikki Escudero.

“We are very excited that at least we are able to provide that service to the people,” Escudero said.

Fierce winds and tsunami-like storm surges turned much of the city into a mass of debris. More than 5,000 people were killed in the typhoon’s path, at least 1,700 from Tacloban, one of the most devastated cities. Officials expect the death toll to rise.

Tacloban is still in ruins, without electricity though some areas have received running water and shops and gas stations have started reopening.

Pacquiao, one of the world’s highest paid athletes, is the wealthiest member of the Philippine Congress. He represents his southern home province of Sarangani, where his wife, Jinkee is the vice governor. His province was not affected by the typhoon.

Pacquiao has promised to bring aid during a visit to the disaster sites after the fight.

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'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

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“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

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