MANNY DESERVES OLYMPIC HONOR, SAYS MONICO
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 08 Aug 2008
[Special to PhilBoxing.com] -- Never in the history of the Olympics has a professional boxer been accorded the honor of being the flag bearer for a country in the traditional inaugural parade to open the Summer Games.
So when WBC lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao leads the Philippine delegation in holding up the colors at the 91,000-seat National ?Bird?s Nest? Stadium in Beijing tonight, he will make history.
Pacquiao?s role was assigned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself and the announcement came after credentials had been finalized for Filipino athletes, officials and guests.
Chef de mission Rep. Monico Puentevella had to work backwards in arranging for Pacquiao?s accreditation which by luck, was facilitated by the late admission of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz as a wildcard entry. Diaz? addition as the country?s 15th athlete allowed for three more slots in the delegation.
Swimmer Miguel Molina was previously designated as the flag bearer but without hesitation, gave up the honor for Pacquiao.
Puentevella lauded Molina for his patriotic gesture of sacrifice.
?While Manny?s not a participant in the Olympics, he epitomizes the ultimate Pinoy athlete, having gained unprecedented records and success as a world champion,? said Puentevella yesterday in a text from Beijing .
?The flag bearer represents the best of any country plus the fact that any Juan de la Cruz identifies sports today with Manny. There is no greater once-in-a-lifetime honor our country can give than to make Manny walk beside Federer, Nadal, Kobe , LeBron and the others in the same arena. Manny deserves it.?
Pacquiao?s designation comes at a time when boxing is under fire as a dangerous sport in the Olympic calendar. While sports like basketball and tennis are now permitted to play pros in the Olympics, boxing will likely remain amateur because the disparity in competitive levels could lead to tragic consequences.
Filipino priest Fr. Marlon Beof, who celebrates Holy Mass in Pacquiao?s hotel room before and after every major fight, said the sight of the world champion holding the flag is a source of pride and inspiration to every Filipino athlete.
?I imagine that, as our Filipino athletes march on that grand opening Olympic parade, they will have a glimpse of Manny from time to time,? said Fr. Beof in an e-mail from his Augustinian Recollect Friars parish in Suffern , New York .
?This should make them aware of the presence and support of the most prestigious athlete in our land today. Even for a few moments, this should make them aware of his triumphs and achievements through hard work, dedication and faith in God while making them feel proud that he is at the frontline of the delegation and holds our national flag. Eventually, this will inspire them more as the competition starts. May we have a medal!?
Fr. Beof said on Pacquiao?s part, he will relish the honor of carrying the flag during the ceremonies.
?This should make Manny realize more the meaning and impact of a Manny Pacquiao to the Filipino athlete and to the Filipino people,? continued Fr. Beof. ?As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility.?
As Pacquiao?s spiritual adviser, Fr. Beof has become close to the fighter and was in his hotel suite playing chess before the call came to go to the arena for the David Diaz fight last June.
?Manny was so calm as we played chess while I was getting tense, surely not from playing chess,? said Fr. Beof. ?I was thinking, in a few moments, he will be fighting as a lightweight for the first time. But he was very calm, very focused. I joked him about his killer moves in chess, like his lethal combinations in the ring. He told me not to worry because checkmate was coming up. In a few minutes, Manny checkmated me just as his friend Edward (Lura) announced, ?Boss, it?s time to go.??
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SPORTS SHORTS 285: AMIR KHAN ACCEPTS OFFER FOR AN EXHIBITION MATCH WITH MANNY PACQUIAO
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 25 Nov 2024FOGOUM, TOSHIHIKO, KIM, RATTAWUT, RUF, CHUTINAN IN ACTION IN HIGHLAND’S EXCITING “SHOWDOWN” NOV 28 AT SPACEPLUS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Gil Robiego Co Elected New APPBRO President for 2025-2027
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Garma wins, climbs to 8th place
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Davao futsal scores 1st win
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024