Pacquiao and the Diaspora
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 17 Mar 2008
TANZANIA -- There are more than two hundred Filipinos working here in Tanzania, with thousands more scattered throughout Africa and millions dispersed around the globe. Countless have grabbed the proverbial sharp end of a blade so they can feed their families and restore their self respect.
Pacquiao?s exploits as well as the victories of other boxers and athletes served as soothing opium, washing away our pain from watching and reading about the political turmoil engulfing our country. Stories of scandal on top of scandal. Our lawmakers were too busy with investigations in aid of legislation. Passing laws that benefit the masses have taken a backseat. Meanwhile, the diaspora continues.
Pacquiao has provided us with a regular quick fix. Like a bottle of whisky or a gram of cocaine. We forget he is just one man working in a profession where its practitioners come from the depths of poverty that our own government should have tried to alleviate.
Maybe we are a bit lucky compared to the Tanzanians. This country is one of the least developed countries in the world. It is ranked 151 out of 173 countries. They also have no international sports heroes right now. At least we Pinoys have Pacquiao.
But I still hang my head in shame every time a European or a North American asks me, ?What is happening in the Philippines??
I remember a passage written by one of our country?s greatest authors Nick Joaquin in his book A Question of Heroes: ?Our deepest impulse has ever been not to integrate but to disintegrate; we seem to have a fear of form, especially of great form.?
There were six of us Filipinos watching that bout cheering for our only hero. Thousands more throughout Africa witnessed the nail biting finish and many thought he lost before the verdict was announced. What if Pacquiao did lose? He also cannot keep on boxing forever. Will our disintegration continue? Our politicians will lose the only opium they can use to pacify the restless masses. Meanwhile, the exodus of our best and brightest minds continue.
Do our so called leaders examine themselves in the mirror? I often stare at my brown skin and wonder: Is there something underneath it that makes us great fighters? And is there something inside us that makes us want to tear each other apart?
Top photo: Manny Pacquiao (C) of Philippines is flanked by Philippine Vice-President Noli de Castro (L) and former Ilocos Governor Chavit Singson (R) as he celebrates winning his title fight against WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada March 15, 2008. Pacquiao won by split decision. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)
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