The most surprising thing about the story that revealed how Manny Pacquiao had literally saved a woman’s life with his words, was that it was not even that surprising.

Indonesia brushed aside last-minute appeals and executed eight people convicted of drug smuggling, although a Philippine woman was granted a stay of execution.

Eight drug-trafficking convicts from several countries were executed by an Indonesian firing squad shortly after midnight yesterday, media said, but a Filipina who was on death row with them was unexpectedly spared at the last minute.