Arida, Donaire brought smiles to Filipinos

Ariella Arida and Nonito Donaire

MANILA – Malacañang on Sunday thanked beauty queen Ariella Arida and Filipino boxer Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire for bringing pride to the country during these trying times.

Speaking to radio dzRB on Sunday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte congratulated Arida and Donaire for their respective victories.

“We extend our congratulations to Ms. Arida and the Filipino Flash. We appreciate their efforts to bring a bit of smile to Filipinos who are going through so much,” she said.

Arida finished third runner-up in Miss Universe 2013, a feat she dedicated to her countrymen who were devastated by super typhoon "Yolanda" last Friday.

Donaire, on the other hand, won against Armenian boxer Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan in the ninth round of their 10-round featherweight showdown in Texas on Sunday.

“No doubt that Filipinos will rise again,” Valte said.

Tagged as the world's most powerful typhoon this year, Yolanda hit the Visayas last Friday leaving thousands of people dead.