INQUIRER Sports

CABUYAO, Laguna, Philippines -- The live feed of the boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto drew at least 500 residents to a school gymnasium, as well as blood donations, on Sunday.

The screening was held at the gymnasium of the St. Vincent Academy in Barangay (village) Mamatid here and was sponsored by the school's owner Sim Chavez.

Chavez is also head of the Cabuyao Civilian Volunteer group.

He said it was the first time a blood-letting activity, in coordination with the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)-Laguna Chapter, was held here and they took the chance of sponsoring a free show of the boxing fight.

The blood-letting activity began as undercard bouts were shown on the screen and paused when the main fight began at noon.

Dr. Claire Reyta, PNRC Laguna physician, said there was a need to sustain the supply in blood banks, especially after the series of calamities that recently hit the province.

"Imagine, one hospital needs about 30 units (blood bags) a day," said Reyta.

She said Laguna blood banks have also been supplying hospitals in Batangas and Quezon.

In Laguna, blood banks are located in three private hospitals in San Pablo City, Pagsanjan and Biñan.

The PNRC Laguna is in Sta. Cruz, the provincial capitol.

Reyta believed that the boxing match was a big help in gathering people in one venue.

"It was easier since we wouldn't have to go around anymore and invite people to donate blood," she said.

She said it helped that most boxing aficionados were men, who usually qualified as blood donors.

Ideal blood donors should weigh at least 50 kilograms and must be between 18 and 60 years old.

Women may fail the minimum required weight while those having their monthly period are not advised to donate blood.

Victor Villano, 58, said he came here to see the live feed of the Pacquiao-Cotto fight and to donate blood, but could not do so because of his previous problem with his prostate.

"I already approached them earlier but they said I couldn't be a donor," he said.

At least 26 people successfully donated 450 cc each of blood here.

Reyta said this was relatively higher, when compared with their regular blood-letting activities.

She said another group of PNRC volunteers set up a blood-letting activity in a mall in Laguna, also on Sunday, but did not receive any donation.