Empty Streets

There is practically no one in the streets right now--almost deserted. Why? Well, it is Sunday, so traffic would be lighter anyway, but traffic is even lighter than expected and I didn't see anyone walking. So something more is going on, and it is this: the boxing match between American Oscar de la Hoya and Filipino Manny Pacquiao is going on right now. This is a BIG match in general, but here in the Philippines it is THE BIG match. For weeks, even months, the hype has been building. People have been discussing who they think will win, with most Filipinos predicting "Pacy".

So, pretty much everyone is watching or listening to this match right now. There is even a loudspeaker outside the back of my hotel blasting the match out to the people who reside in the small slum back there (and probably others out there are listening as well--it's hard not to hear it).

News flash: "Pacy" has won the match, with a technical knockout in the eighth round. He apparently won each round, and de la Hoya finally gave up, refusing to re-enter the ring for the ninth round. And now traffic has noticably picked up!