Pacquiao a hero in Filipino communities ready to celebrate (The Associated Press)

Filipino communities are ready to celebrate Manny Pacquiao as he stars in the world’s most anticipated boxing match. Here in Las Vegas, home to one of the largest populations of Filipinos in the U.S., it’s a thrill to have the heavily promoted fight in their own backyard. ”It’s like watching the Super Bowl,” said Wilfredo ”Jing” Espiritu, a regional officer in Las Vegas for the National Federation of Filipino American Associations. Win or lose, Espiritu said he’s lobbying Las Vegas officials to proclaim an official Manny Pacquiao Day because of his importance to the local community.