IN THE GRIP OF GREEN-EYED MONSTER
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 31 Oct 2014
SOME people are bashing world eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao for accepting the job as playing coach of KIA Sorento.
This is utterly unfair.
These critics do not know that Pacquiao did not apply for the job.
It was offered to him. KIA management believes in his talent and capability as a person.
People sent by the management to reach out to Pacquiao had witnessed during his April US training camp his kindness to members of Team Pacquiao, his hardwork, his discipline and his mind-boggling ability to endure pain.
They were convinced this is the type of person who can serve as good role model for members of the team. This is the type of athlete who can inspire and motivate the players to play hard and go for the crown.
As it was a wholesome offer, Pacquiao did not turn it down.
I believe Pacman is doing this not just for the heck of it, but to help save PBA?s fading glamour and glory.
For Pacman, this is more of a sacrifice than gain. It would surely be the league and the team which will benefit more from it, not him.
Pacman doesn?t need KIA or PBA anymore. He has everything to lose nothing to gain by joining in the league.
Basketball is a highly-physical game. He might sustain injury - God forbids ? while playing in the court.
But he?s a man on a mission. ?What would you gain having everything in life if you can?t help those who are in need?? Pacman said in one of his sermons.
Compared to boxing, he earns less as playing coach of KIA. But, he finds joy and self-fulfillment in helping others.
He stands to receive P600,000 monthly salary as playing coach of KIA. This amount is just a pittance compared to what he?s earning in boxing.
But there are things money can?t buy. One of them is self-fulfillment. If he finds self-fulfillment playing in the professional basketball league, then, let?s give him a chance.
This is his way of thanking the fans for their unwavering support all these years. This is his way of helping KIA and the PBA.
I learned that Pacquiao?s salary as playing coach of KIA Sorento is spent to pay for the salary of his players in MP Warriors, one of the teams in PBA D-League.
By accepting KIA?s offer, Pacquiao has created jobs for others. I don?t think being selfless is symbolic of what?s wrong with our country?
Obviously, he?s getting absolutely nothing by playing in the professional basketball, except self-fulfillment and sometimes jeers from some uncouth PBA fans.
Who are we to deny Pacquiao his dream, his happiness? Why stop this multi-talented sportsman from honing other facets of his talent?
You want your own life to be boring? Go ahead! Nobody cares! But to insult or begrudge Pacman for being hired as playing coach of Kia Sorento is, to my mind, smack of envy and utter hypocrisy.
Before hurling insults or hurting a man who have made invaluable contributions to the country and the whole world, why not ask ourselves first?
What have we done to help other people especially the masses? What have we done to help our country?
Pacquiao spent out of his own pocket around P6 million for relief operations to help the victims of Typhoon Pablo in December 2012.
Then in December 2013, in the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda, Pacquiao spent some P10 million for relief goods to help the victims in Leyte and Eastern Samar.
It?s a pity that even until now people who are in the grip of green-eyed monster galore in this hapless country.
We should stop flaunting our intellectual arrogance. We should stop pretending as solitary sage sitting on a mountain of knowledge.
Never ever underestimate a man?s level of intellect.
After all his selflessness and sacrifices for the country, Pacquiao deserves to be happy. It?s time for us to return the favor and give him the chance to enjoy life.
When asked for his comment on the insulting write-ups against him, Pacquiao said ?Never mind them. I?ll just pray for them.?
Top photo: World eight-division boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao lifted the spirits of the victims when he visited Salcedo, one of the HARDEST-HIT towns in Eastern Samar by super typhoon Yolanda.
World eight-division boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao was mobbed by the victims of super typhoon Yolanda when he visited Tolosa, one of the hardest-hit towns in Leyte. Pacquiao set aside P10 million out of his own pocket to help the victims and personally toured the devastated areas to encourage them to rise again.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
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