Religious Manny
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 04 Oct 2011
BAGUIO CITY ? Her mother, Aling Dionisia, wanted him to be a priest, But Manny Pacquiao ended up a fighter instead, becoming the only man to win a world championship in eight weight divisions. But what Pacquiao is today, is what Aling Dionisia or ?Mommy D? as she is popularly known today, instilled in him.
Kneeling and prying in his corner before and after a fight is one of Pacquiao?s trademarks in his 16-year boxing career. Even in training, before he starts a segment in his regimen ? whether atop the ring punching with or sparring or punishing the heavy bag, working with double end ball or speed ball ? the Pacman always makes it a point to make the sign of the cross.
?My mother is a devout catholic. Very prayerful. When I was growing up with my other five siblings, she taught us what she knew about God,? Pacquiao told this writer and a few other visitors inside his Cooyeesan Hotel Room after a day?s work in the gym and before playing a game of basketball.
?Mama raised us praying,? he said. ?Before retiring to bed, Mama gathered us all to pray. Kung sino pa wala, we would wait till he or she arrived. And before doing anything when we woke up in the morning, like cleaning the house, doing the dishes, everything, we prayed.?
?When we were not doing anything, instead of playing in the backyard or elsewhere, she gathered us all and taught us why God created us. What is the purpose of our lives,? the World Boxing Organization welterweight champion recalled.
?Mama would always say we have to thank God for creating as us human beings and not animals, adding had God chose to make us animals, we would not have enjoyed what we are enjoying now,? he said.
?That?s why as I grew up, I realized how kind God is to me. I realized that God helps more those who are near him kasi madali ka niyang makita. . Pag malayo ka sa Diyos, hindi ka masyadong matutulungan. I may sound silly, but I feel it. ?
The 32-year-old said all his success in life as a boxer, he owes it to God. ?Ang mga tagum ay ko atop the ring and elsewhere, bigay ni Lord yun. Kaya naman lahat ng mga yun, iniaalay ko sa Kanya. I give it back to Him by way of helping others, especially those in dire need of help,? he philosophized.
?You know what, Mama, realizing perhaps that I have religiously absorbing all she was teaching me wanted me to be a priest?? the eight-division and pound-for-pound king said with glow in his eyes.
?Yes, she often told me, mabuti pa magpari ka na lang. But we didn?t have the money then to enroll me in a seminary. Kahit na nga sa elementary school hirap na hirap kami, eh s seminaryo pa,? he continued reminiscing. So, to help Mama raise all six of us, kung ano-anong trabaho ang pinasukan ko hanggang sa mag-boksing na ako.?
?All the things Mama taught me about God, about helping people, I followed to the letter,? he remarked. ?Now that I am in a position to help, I want as many people as I could na guminhawa at tumaas ang kalagayan sa buhay. ?
?But as the saying goes, charity begins at home. So I started with my family. Si Mama pinagpagawaan koi ng bahay. Si Papa (estranged father Rosalio), ganun din. Lahat ng kapatid ko (Isidra, the eldest), Bobby, Roel and siblings in
Aleng Dionisia?s second husband Lisa and Domngo me sariling tahanan at sasakyan,? he disclosed.
?All that was deprived of me because of poverty, education, maginhawang pamumuhay, etc. I provide to my wife Jinkee, and our children (Jimwell, 10, Michael, 9, Princess,5, and Queenie,3)? he said.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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