INSIDE SPORTS: PACQUIAO IS ANTIDOTE TO PHILIPPINE POLITICAL CIRCUS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 11 Mar 2008
Thank God for Manny Pacquiao. At least this young man with the blinding speed and the awesome punching power will help take our minds off the mindless political circus currently being played out by presidential aspirants, a motley group of anti-government elements and a cluster of priests, nuns and brothers who apparently don't have anything better to do.
The ranks of the so-called faithful in the Catholic Church in our country continue to dwindle while those responsible for preaching the good news are busy raising clenched fists and generally striving to tear at the fabric of our daily lives. How terribly sad.
Whenever Pacquiao fights the nation comes to a halt. In him our people ? mostly the poor and the deprived see the flame of hope and a beacon of inspiration. For, despite the many faults attributed to him ? some rightfully and many wrongfully ? Manny Pacquiao has earned respect for our country throughout the world and redeemed the sense of pride of the Filipino. His consistent message has been a call for national unity but while many cheer him on and savor his victories, they refuse to heed his words.
He may not ? indeed he cannot ? compare with the late Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde who was a man of epic human dimensions ? who cared for his family, loved his one and only wife Laura, helped his countrymen who needed help, provided shelter and served as good shepherd to homeless young boys who dreamed of a better life through prizefighting. And he loved God in a totally consuming fashion.
But Manny Pacquiao has both the time and the will to see it happen even as his charming wife Jinkee stands by him and provides the love and the care that should convince him to change some of his wayward ways and emerge as a genuine hero and a role model because his influence is immeasurable.
As a ring gladiator he has no equal even though, aside from Elorde, the Philippines has been blessed with a long line of remarkable men who fought with both skill and indomitable courage such as Pancho Villa, Ceferino Garcia, Luisito Espinosa, Dodie Boy Penalosa, Pedro Adigue, Ben Villaflor, Erbito Salavarria, Rolando Navarette, Rene Barrientos and the ageless warrior Gerry Penalosa who at 35 remains a world champion.
When Pacquiao enters the ring at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino on Sunday morning Manila Time, the streets will be deserted, theaters will be full with screaming fans, our families and friends will gather in our homes and together enjoy the spectacle of an outstandingly talented and supremely courageous ring warrior take on the last Mexican standing ? Juan Manuel Marquez, the reigning WBC super featherweight champion and a superb boxer.
Millions of hearts will be beating fast both in the Philippines and Mexico and perhaps we should all whisper a prayer that neither fighter is hurt in what could well be a brutal battle.
Whatever the outcome we must give Manny Pacquiao all the credit in the world for lifting our spirits and filling our hearts with joy and pride through the years unlike many of our politicians and so-called leaders who bring us nothing but heartaches.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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