Accents
Victory for Pacquiao, victory for da Pinoy
The day before the most awaited Pacquiao-Cotto boxing match, I knew I would be writing either of two titles for my next column: Victory for Pacquiao, victory for the Pinoy or Defeat for Pacquiao, defeat for the Pinoy. Logical? Does it follow? How does victory or defeat impact on the Filipino or the whole country for that matter?
Manny Pacquiao has placed the Philippines in the forefront of the world’s boxing greats. Even before the fight, our speck of a country on the global map already caught world attention, and with his victory, media attention went into full blast, making Pinoy pride ever high. Right now, days after his win over Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico, kababayans are still soaked up in euphoria, as they are here in California where Filipino residents abound. And those bettors who placed their faith in him—with the odds of 1 against 3 in favor of Cotto—continue to boast how they were so right in betting thus, however much that choice was influenced by nationalistic bias. But of course.
Don’t we all feel high every time a Filipino makes it on the world scene. The pride of country we felt for the Pacquiao victory was the same pride we felt when Filipina beauties brought home the proverbial bacon in the beauty tilts. Gemma Cruz, Aurora Pijuan, Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran, Melanie Marquez—offhand I can recall only five among several other awardees of international titles who proved how the country could upstage other nations in both beauty and brains. And the latest, with muscles in the arena of boxing.
A week prior to the boxing bout, the hubby said Pacquiao is on the cover of TIME magazine. The TIME not available, we went to the Internet to see how the magazine portrayed what it dubbed as the “boxing phenom.” The photo, every inch of which exudes the strength of the boxer, augurs the promise of victory. TIME quoted Pacquiao thus: “It is a great honor for me to be the face of my people and to let everyone know we are a small but mighty country. I have great pride for all of the Filipinos living throughout the world and it is these people that I fight for each and every time I step into the ring.” Alay para sa bayan, well spoken coming from one fondly called by his countrymen the “People’s Champ.”
Wikipedia has Manny Pacquiao’s past honors down pat: “He is the former WBC lightweight world champion, WBC super featherweight world champion, IBF super bantamweight world champion, and WBC flyweight world champion.” Not having the slightest interest in boxing (the Pacquiao phenomena aroused but a flicker), I had to go find what WBC and IBF stand for. With a mouse click, I got World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation. I leave to the boxing aficionado how the two organizations differ in scope and jurisdiction.
The Pacquiao bio got interesting with a conclusion that Wikipedia didn’t elaborate: “Aside from being a boxer, Pacquiao has participated in politics, acting, filmmaking, and music recording.” Die-hard fans may vouch for his acting and singing talent (a term rather dubious to apply to the ring hero). I wonder how the Pacman would fare on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the class of a Martin Nievera (whose role it was to sing the Philippine National Anthem in the Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton match). Maybe a poll of sorts will be conducted as to the boxer’s singing and acting prowess. As to the heights his political ambition can reach, the Social Weather Station has work to do. Early on, he might get lost in the whirlpool of wheeling and dealing, so characteristic of Philippine politics and lose his sanity, if not the millions of dollars he has earned in the boxing arena. Or, a trudge on the malodorous political path might return his sanity, completely forego the dream of a Senate or House seat (or being a Malacanang occupant??? Did I hear why not? Or was it, heaven forbid?), and make filmmaking and music recording no more than a hobby.
Night of Nov. 14 there was a potluck party at my daughter Raileen’s residence, her husband Nixon having purchased a pay-per-view of the Pacquiao-Cotto fight. Pinoy friends were around and rousing cheer followed with every Pacquiao power punch. At the start, hopes for victory were already high. For a few times, the TV spotlighted Cotto’s wife and son. There was a shot of the wife covering her face, seated on her front a very innocent child watching his father being clobbered. I can’t understand why a child be brought where a traumatic experience is waiting, be it win or lose for the loved one. Labeling it blandly as sports cannot minimize the picture of a bloody face, violence and brutality that could surface in the mind of the child.
The Filipino and the Puerto Rican contenders are both Catholics, each a revered icon in his country. Both make the sign of the cross. Both kneel and pray for Divine intervention. Before the fight, I told the hubby, “I said a little prayer for Pacquiao.” The reply was trademark Rudy: “Do you want God to play favorites?” I didn’t want to go into philosophical perorations. Enough that it was going to be mettle against mettle. So, let the best man win. And the best man came out to be the Pinoy! Mabuhay, yes, long live Manny Pacquiao for country and people!
(Email: lagoc@hargray.com)
