I am posting this as a salute to Philippines’ hope for an Olympic Medal. Mark Anthony Barriga is from Panabo City which is about 25minutes drive from my hometown. One of Davao del Norte’s pride. If I could have been in London this time, I am surely one of your supporters who will tirelessly wave the Philippine Flag and cheer for you! Mabuhay Ka!!
Repost from Yahoo News: Written by Patricia Hizon
Hope. It’s the reason we fight, it’s what fuels our charge, and it’s what gives us courage. Lone Filipino boxer, 19-year-old Mark Anthony Barriga, was like a dealer of hope. And the nation surely got its fix and was euphoric over his first victory in London.
Behind every punch was a country closely watching, analyzing, and holding their breath, not wanting to let this chance pass them by. It’s as if 90 million Filipinos crowded that boxing ring and were landing the punches. The red corner was elated with every blow.
Twitterverse again played a big role in echoing support for the Panabo, Davao del Norte native. ABAP executive director Ed Picson, though, is making sure he does not get distracted.
But still, tweets kept coming from all directions like Barriga’s punches on Italy’s Manuel Cappai.
Honed by years of watching Manny Pacquiao and other professional Filipino boxers, Pinoys easily turned into boxing analysts like @ralphsamoy who tweeted “Legit punching speed, (Barriga) displayed good defense and footwork. Looks like a knockout puncher too. Impressive.” A tweet from @joshtadena reads: Barriga’s left counter is crispy! He’s hard to get hit as well! Cappai was outclassed from the start! “Splendid display of speed, composure and skills”, exclaimed@iamnotGIBO.
Despite giving up 4 inches to his opponent, Barriga stood taller. @THEconqueror14 noted how Barriga is “small but terrible and a beast inside the ring!” @torchie82 shared “the size of a Pinoy’s heart cannot be contained in Barriga’s diminutive stature!” In short, like what @Kayoungelika said, “he proved that size doesn’t matter.”
He made people believe that an elusive medal is indeed possible. @jmdrumfreak explains “Mark is our only hope now. We smell gold”. Although @Ajfabilia says there’s “so much pressure for this young boxer”, people like @chaveeee tweets “despite carrying the Filipino people in his fists, there’s a lot of promise in this young kid!”
Read more >> here.
Reblogged this on On Chocolate Hill and commented:
And of course I’m reblogging this because yes, Barriga hailed from a town just 25min from my hometown.
Keep it up Barriga! Go for gold!
Congratulations!