pac-yaw

note: i wrote this after pacquiao had his fight in manila with... i don't even remember who, and ages before he dipped his toe into politics which, as we all know, was one big reality check for the guy. never sent this one out coz i thought i would offend some of my friends who are pacquiao fans. but i guess i just have to post it here and wait for their reactions!!!

Some of you already know that I can't keep my mouth shut when I've got something. At the moment, it's about Pacquiao ---

I don't know, I just feel inundated lately with the Pacquiao brouhaha where his fans just couldn’t seem to get enough of him while on-lookers and by-standers like me wanted to get to the top of the tallest building in Ayala and shout ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!

Obviously Pacquiao fever in the Philippines is hotter and more prevalent this time compared to his previous fights in the US. Because this time around, more of his adoring fans got to see the action live rather than watch a sometimes hazy satellite transmission on a boob tube. That Araneta ticket is of course a knock out compared to a plane ticket to the US – something most of his fans simply couldn’t afford. It’s only the filthy rich and politicos who can join him in Vegas and get a hotel suite even bigger than what he gets.

And so bringing the fight home and making it accessible to thousands of his fans, plus winning it decisively, has fuelled the Pacquiao mania into a wilder, crazier frenzy. Everybody talks about him. His face is everywhere – Tv programs, magazines, broadsheets, billboards. You name it – his face is stamped on it. The five-peso bill? He’s on it. Well, at least an the jokes being tossed around via e-mails. And at least, for the meantime. But who knows, maybe not for long. Judging by his popularity, he could easily be sanctified by the bootlicking politicos and make that five-peso bill officially his. Though I would suspect Emilio Aguinaldo would be turning violently in his graves!

So, yes, I am not a big fan. No, not even a fan. As I said I’m just an on-looker. Happy and content seeing other Pinoys go gaga over the not-so-cute boxer from the South. Go, kabayans, enjoy the moment! Celebrate! Let’s forget about the continually plummeting economy of our beloved country. Let’s forget the political bickering that these politicos orchestrate themselves for their own personal motives. Just forget everything and soak up the moment. It’s one glorious moment we all have to bask upon, it comes just once in a while – that is, if he’s not losing or drawing the fight.

But don’t get me wrong. I don’t disdain the man. And in no way am I being contemptuous here. On the contrary, I only have nothing but respect for him. I may not be a fan, I don’t like boxing at all. But I salute him for what he has achieved. I wish there’s more of him to surface in such times that our country needs a shot of hope, honor and glory – no matter how fancy and sensational the source maybe.

It takes a lot to get to where he is standing right now. We all know his humble beginnings in an obscure town in GenSan. And of course we know how hard he trains. But do we really understand how hard it is? Can we honestly say that yes, Manny, I do understand the sacrifices you have to bear just to get to where you are now. And we do feel for you.

Nah, most of the people around him just love him for he is glowing with fame and fortune at the moment. Nobody gives a damn what he has gone through just to get that arm raised by the referee at the end of the fight.

He must have shed barrels and barrels of blood, sweat and tears – actually, not figuratively – not only in his fights but also during practice sessions. Instead of spending time with his family, he must have spent more hours training, skipping ropes, sit-ups, punching not just bags or sparring partners but even the air around him. He must have suffered and endured all the pain, bruises, broken bones and cuts anywhere within the boundaries of his typically small pinoy face and his typically small frame.

He must have blown his top many times when he can’t go anywhere he wants because he has a schedule to follow, a program to fulfill. He must have ranted in despair when he can’t have a portion of his favorite food because it will make him one gram heavier during weigh-in.

And what about wanting to get crazy just like the others, boozing and partying all night? It must be utterly frustrating to go to bed just to follow a ruthless schedule while others tiptoe out of the hotel room to go down to the bar and enjoy the adrenaline-pumping music, the dizzying lights, the heady smoke of cigarettes and the intoxicating liquor being poured by a scantily-clad waitress.

And what about the sex? Maybe his punches are more lethal because it is laced with anger and frustration for not having released his sexual urges the night before. I bet he does as most athletes do. Well, poor Pacquiao, the things he has to give up just to realize his dream.

But realize his dream he did! Here he is, arguably the most recognizable face in the Philippine islands and to the millions of Filipinos scattered all over the globe. Winning his fight, collecting millions of prize money, gathering more fans and sycophants alike. And of course, earning respect from people like me who sees through the man wearing a pair of boxing gloves and ad-studded pair of short pants.

The man realized he has a God-given talent. He harnessed it. He dreamed. And used that talent to reach glorious heights. What could be more respectable than that.

How many of us realized we have talents but never dared to develop it and use it to get to where we actually wanted to be? Admittedly, I am one of those. That’s why I respect Manny a lot. It takes courage, guts, raw determination and a whole lot of conviction to make your dreams come true. Sadly, we are lacking most of it. But not the boxer.

He dared to dream. Despite being physically average – with his typical Pinoy height and looks. He dreamed. Despite his lack of education – he can’t even come up with a simple, gramatically correct english sentence. He dreamed. Despite his being what the Manilenyos call “Bisaya” - he still speaks with a heavy accent and proud of it. He dreamed.

Now he’s reaping the rewards of dreaming and working hard. VIP’s, celebrities, businessmen and top politicos troop to see him and be near him. They listen to whatever he says, no matter how funny the heavily accented Tagalog is, or how absurd the english sentence he is trying to concoct.

He’s got the moolah - a big house, fancy cars, and millions-worth of properties. A beautiful wife who, if he was not a star pugilist, would be frowned upon by most people and asked “what the hell were you thinking marrying that guy?”

And don’t forget that controversial “other woman”. Who could knock a girl and give her a son, beamingly deny his guilt, get discovered by the entire nation and get away with all of it? Only the Pacman can do that. And I bet ya, more and more women are finding him attractive each day because he has proven just as lethal inside the ring as well as in bed. I’m sure that scandal did not even hurt his popularity one bit. In fact, it must have contributed more to his machismo, making him a real stud and proving his virility. Something women swoon about and men get jealously envious of.

But seriously, I just wish the youth of today takes inspiration from him. Not on the “studly” image but on his sport. Just like when Efren “Bata” Reyes won international competitions a few years ago. Millions of our young men (and women, for that matter) focused on billiards rather than gang wars, teenage pregnancies or drugs.

This time, I hope they will do the same and try to emulate Manny. Get into boxing where we, short and stout Pinoys can definitely excel. Not in basketball! That game is for the towering Westerners! When will we ever realize that, for goodness’ sake!

On second thought, it may not happen. Billiards might have gained tremendous popularity among the youth because it is a non-contact sport and can be easily turned into a gamble – something that appeals strongly to the young boys to skip their classes and use their lunch money as bets. But boxing? Maybe not.

It will deform their nose, cut their lips or forehead and leave scars on their faces. Their faces that they value most in their young life. Because they’d rather join male beauty contests or talent search and become a commercial model, tv actor or movie star. That’s a lot easier, more fashionable, hip and cool than being a boxer. Vanity seem to be more attractive than masculinity nowadays. I don’t know. The world must be turning queer by the day.

As for you Manny, I just hope you learn life’s lessons quickly enough like your lightning punches. If you don’t, it would be sad to see you 10 or 20 years from now turn into another Navarette.

But for now, go ahead and enjoy the shimmering laurels of fame and fortune. Live up to your name, afterall you’ve got it all. You know - fame, fortune and everything - PAKYAW, isn’t it?!