What if they had told Mr. Obama that...
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 30 Apr 2014
WOULD?VE it helped had US President Barack Obama been informed what the main course?red dotted lapu-lapu?during the Philippine state dinner in his honor was honestly all about?
Wouldn?t the American chief of state be doubly delighted to know that the delicious seafood course took its name after the fearless Lapu-Lapu, who killed invader Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan?
Remarked Mr. Obama: ?There is our mutual obsession with basketball. There is our mutual admiration for Manny Pacquiao, even if sometimes his fight against Americans doesn?t turn out the way we?d like.?
Was it, therefore, a result of honest oversight that Pacquiao, a member of the Philippine House of Representatives, was not among the guests that also included a former President who had been jailed for plunder, and a serial coup plotter, together with his shameless immediate master?
**
What stood out during Mr. Obama?s Philippine visit was his infectious stage presence.
The man is a sprightly performer, and two times a consummate speaker.
He?s a great stickler for details, offering to twist his tongue in order to come out with the correct pronunciation of his host?s name.
He amused by spicing his speeches with native terminology, like ?kalooban?; while affirming his delight over adodo and lumpia, thanks to the expertise of a Filipino chef at the White House.
Mr. Obama undoubtedly did his homework.
**
Naturally, he paid glowing tribute to the martyred Ninoy Aquino and People Power heroine Corazon Aquino, parents of his host, President Noynoy Aquino.
By the way, was Prsident Obama ever informed that President Aquino himself had been seriously wounded in one bloody coup attempt against his mother, the beloved President Cory?
There were many other tales of Filipino heroism that would?ve warmed the heart of the US President.
Take for example that of swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso, winner of the Philippines? first Olympic medal (bronze, Amsterdam 1928), who was wounded and who died in the Japanese war as an officer of the Philippine Scouts.
Yldefonso showed the world what genuine Filipino gallantry was all about when he refused safe passage (from wounded incarceration) by preferring to keep close to his comrade-in-arms before dying of war wounds.
**
As for true valor, it goes without saying President Aquino, maybe one of the hottest fighters among world leaders today, is engaged in a killing task on two fronts in his country: against corruption and poverty.
Wasn?t it President Aquino?s father, Ninoy, who said that, ?The Filipino is worth dying for??
Thanks to Ninoy Aquino, also to President Cory, now to President Noynoy.
President Obama has obviously realized in his brief visit here what they have been saying that, yes, the noble Filipino knows how to die.
Photo: US President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III in Manila.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez and Malachi Georges Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Five of World Boxing Championships
Tue, 09 Sep 2025GM candidate Ronald Dableo's squad rules Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso Inter-Barangay Chess Team Tournament, pockets P150,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Saggap, Manayon top Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Rizal Memorial Coliseum: The Arena That Endured War and Forged Generations of Filipino Greats
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 09 Sep 2025“The Homecoming” turned into Coronation for Marco Romero
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz Speaks After Pushing Eduardo Nunez to the Limit in Thrilling War – A Potential Fight of the Year
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Santisima Wins But Vicelles Loses; Suarez-Navarrete Rematch Hangs in the Balance?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Locked & loaded for Lewis Crocker rematch, Paddy Donovan has prepared to be crowned the new IBF Welterweight World Champion
Mon, 08 Sep 2025Robby Gonzales Advances to Round of 16 with Win Over Cuba
Mon, 08 Sep 2025James Padua rules Marikina rapid chess championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Remembering Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde: A Pilgrimage of Gratitude
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Hometown Triumph: Oscar Valdez Defeats Ricky Medina by Decision
Sun, 07 Sep 2025