BEYOND WORDS
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 24 May 2012
Photo by: Manolo ?Chino? Trinidad
Los Angeles, CA ? There are a lot of great pictures in boxing. There are pictures that capture the sport?s brutality and athleticism. There are pictures that catch the sport?s ferocity and tenacity. These are photos that depict the action in and out of the ring of the brave warriors of this sport. Then there are photos that illustrate humanity in a sport as brutal as ours.
Such is this picture taken by veteran sports reporter Manolo ?Chino? Trinidad as he was covering current welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao train at the USC track field Tuesday morning. Pacquiao, who just finished his morning jog and plyometric exercises was approached by a frail 4 year old who like most of the people there, are eager to have a picture taken with him and their memorabilia signed by one of the most famous person in the world.
But four year old Andre Ilano is not your ordinary fan. No he is not your ordinary kid either. Andre is suffering from a rare form of childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma. A condition he was diagnosed with since he was three years old. A condition that has demanded so much of the young boy?s body and spirit as he undergo treatments to combat this disease.
Andre braved the rigors of chemotherapy and finished the series of treatments courageously according to his mom, Ella. He did not complain a bit as the effects of the treatment affected him. He was weak, he was limp but when he sees a glimpse of Pacquiao in the television, his spirits would soar. He would emulate Manny Pacquiao?s boxing move even in the middle of his treatment. It was Andre?s dream to meet his idol in person which the treatment prevented him.
Andre and his family drove from their residence in Las Vegas to Los Angeles to try their luck in meeting the famous athlete. They stand there amidst a throng of fans wanting to catch Pacquiao.
?Tuwang tuwa, gusto na nga niyang lapitan agad.? ( Andre was elated, he wanted to approach him right away.) said Mommy Ella.
?Kaya mainit nga ang ulo dahil kasi ayaw muna naming siyang palapitin kasi nga hindi pa tapos. (He was throwing tantrums because we told him not to approach Manny yet because he is not done training.) she narrated.
?Excited na excited. Nung pinalapit na siya ni Pastor Soriano, ayun tumahimik na.? (He was really excited. When Pastor Soriano asked him to approach Manny, he calmed down.) Mommy Ella said.
?Nung tapos na si Manny, bigla siyang lumapit. Nag hug na siya. (When Manny got done with his work, Andre approached him and hugged him right away.) she added.
Manny hugged the four year old tightly amidst the circle of fans clamoring for his attention. He hugged him for a long time despite the heat of the bright morning LA sun shining directly over them. Pacquiao did not only reciprocate that hug but also prayed over the little boy. It was a gesture that brought tears to Ella?s eyes.
It was that hug between fan and celebrity, between an athlete on his prime and a frail, young kid, between a one of the world?s most famous man and a regular 4 year old boy eager for his attention that Trinidad captured with his camera. It was a picture that displayed the genuine sincerity of that moment. It was a picture that is enough to convey the emotions both feel at that time.
They say that every picture tells a story. This one is beyond words.
(Note: I will be posting a second story about Andre?s story in the coming days in this site.)
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com for any reactions to this piece.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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