ZAMBOANGA CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 23 Jan) A grandmother who is a diehard fan of Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao landed in hospital after she suffered from a heart attack and hypertension while cheering for her star in front of television in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.
In Cebu province in central Philippines, a policeman, Nelson Butiduan, was also rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack while watching the boxing bout on television with his wife. Butiduan, a fan of Pacquiao, was jumping in joy while watching television Sunday when he collapsed. He is in serious condition.
Ceferina Francisco, now in his late 60s, is confined at the Zamboanga hospital's intensive care unit where doctors are monitoring her serious condition, her nephew Jerry Felix said.
"She was really so excited about the rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales that she forgot to drink her medicines. She was screaming on top of her lungs...'fight Manny fight, you can beat him,' until she collapsed -- even ahead of Morales -- in front of our television set in the house," Felix said on Monday.
Felix said the old woman was an avid fan of Pacquiao and had been waiting for the rematch since Sunday morning. "I don't know, but she really loves Manny Pacquiao so much, and we only pray that she survives her own fight," he said.
Pacquiao won Sunday afternoon over three-time Mexican champion Erik Morales after knocking him down on the 10th of the 12-round super featherweight bout in Las Vegas, Nevada.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the national jubilation of the Filipino people over the sensational victory of Pacquiao. She congratulated Pacquiao on his sensational win minutes after the Filipino boxing legend demolished the Mexican favorite.
"May this serve as an inspiration and constant reminder to all our countrymen that the Filipino can be the best in any endeavor when he puts his heart to it," she said, adding, Pacquiao served as an example that Filipinos can compete at the international level.
Pacquiao thanked the President for "your prayers and the prayers of all Filipinos" for his victory.
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