After his 4th round demolition of Mexican challenger Gabriel Mira to successfully defend his WBC Flyweight Title before his countrymen in early 1999, “Manny Pacquiao” became a by-word even to non-boxing buffs and the young.
The host of a local TV programs asked his guests, a couple who brought with them their pre-teen son, about some important personality. To their discomfiture their son butted in to volunteer his unsolicited reply – “Manny Pacquiao!”
Today, when People’s, Ringside Magazine and Ringside Report ranked number one is involved in a fight, millions around the globe watch.
With his success, what does Manny Pacquiao mean to the Filipino, his country, and the sport of boxing?
? To the Filipino
Manny’s heroics provided an excellent example, a source of joy and patriotic pride, among others, to his countrymen.
“It means a lot to me! parang lagi kong gustong isigaw na ako’y Pilipino (It seems I want to always shout that I am a Filipino) every time Manny fights! Kahit na naka draw lang siya kay Marquez (even if he only drew with Marquez), I’m still proud of him! He’s our role model now! Hindi handlang ang kahirapan basta may pagsisikap! (Poverty is not a hindrance with diligence!) I hope his rags to riches story will uplift every Filipino to strive harder in order to seek personal glory and make our country progressive!” – eufsangels
“Na merong pag asa kahit ano pa man ang katatayuan natin sa buhay (That there is hope whatever may be our state in life). Let’s do our best with whatever talent we have.”- ben777
“?it’s a motivation . . . it’s an inspiration . . . our national pride.”- pso_junior
“Example siya na kayang-kaya maging World-Class ang Pinoy!” (He is an example that the Filipino could become world class) – putiman
“Pacman being a role model really means a lot. I only hope that Filipino boxing fans will not just not see him fight but also think that we Filipinos can excel in whatever endeavor we choose. We must believe in ourselves that we can excel.” – thony818
“Manny’s success in boxing symbolizes courage, pride and hope for the Filipino. His success can be a rallying point for us all. If Manny can, we too can make a difference.” – Engr. Samson R. Tiukinhoy
? To his country
Manny’s evident pride and love of country showed when he fought Agapito Sanchez and Jorge Eliezer Julio. In the Sanchez fight Manny’s trunks bore the Philippine colors every Filipino could identify as the Philippine Flag. When he fought Julio, his robe likewise had the look of the Philippine Flag. After stopping Julio in the 2nd round, a real Philippine Flag was wrapped over his shoulders and back.
When his hands were raised in victory over Julio, one of his handlers yelled “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!” (Long live the Philippines!). And as the ring announcer proclaimed him winner, Manny enthusiastically chorused with his patriotic declaration to the world over, “I love you Philippines!”
The Philippines loved him even more. For the sense of pride he has given the country, the past and present Presidents have welcomed him often at the Malaca?ang Palace. The Philippine Congress rewarded him with a Congressional Certificate of Achievement, the first I’ve heard of in recent times. Manila has given him the symbolic key to the city as an adopted son.
Manny is simply his country’s modern inspiring hero?
“For the country like our beloved Philippines where poverty, unemployment, drug addiction, hopelessness, rebellion in the countryside, and where the youth are recruited to fight government forces, Manny Pacquiao’s boxing fame is really something to inspire the youth. You need an idol figure to stay out of drugs; something like from rags to riches story or from poor to rich and famous kind of thing; a hero figure or something to look up to.” – big_punch
“Boxing is a popular sport and gets a lot of attention. Kaya kung sikat kang boxer sa Mundo (So if you are a world renown boxer) and you represent your country, they will see you as their hero. Manny is my hero!!” – Sphinx
Pacquiao’s determination, hard work, spirit, and love for his country will inspire a lot of us Filipinos to do better at everything. – Manny_P
who is continuously projecting to the world his country’s positive image.
“His triumphs in the ring are a big boost to the Filipino nation.” – Ursulo Poricallan, COA auditor
“Manny’s success seems the only bright spot left of how the rest of the world sees of what Filipinos are best if not good at.” – Gilbert L. Nunag, bank controller
“He has shown guts and tremendous courage in defeating the likes of Barrera, Mira and others. His popularity around the world somewhat diluted the bad publicity we have here and abroad.” – Engr. Samson R. Tiukinhoy
? To the sport of boxing
He is one of the few who have given the sport a higher dimension of being a champion.
“I like the fact that Manny sets his mind to be a World Champion and never give up. He just keeps working hard. Now he’s a champ. And Manny is the type of Champion that doesn’t even need a belt to prove he’s a champ. Everyone knows he’s the champ.” – Manny_P
Manny revived the sagging interest in boxing by his style of fighting which leaves no space for any dull moment. “He can punch and he can take a punch”, observes a TV boxing commentator in his fight against Julio.
In one of his subsequent fights another commentator guaranteed that when Manny fights, “he gives you back all your money’s worth”. How much interest this assurance generated for boxing would be difficult to quantify.
Within boxing, Manny helped elevate the lower weight divisions to the level of the heavyweights in terms of interest.
“He is fun to watch”, says Larry Merchant after Manny’s devastating dethronement of Lehlonoholo Ledwaba as the IBF Super-bantamweight champion in June 2001. “I have never seen him, and frankly I have never heard of him. But I’ve seen and heard of him now. And I want to see him again,” Larry declared. His co-host added, “Now let’s see Pacquiao again”.
Ever since, the world saw Manny and will see him again and again.
The name, “Pakyaw” ( native version of “Pacquiao” similarly pronounced), says it
In the Philippines, it is said that after haggling with a market vendor and the buyer ends up buying the whole bunch of goods subject matter of the haggling for a better price, the purchase is referred to as having been made on a “pakyaw” basis. When a passenger pays for all or the last few remaining seats in a boat just so it would leave port at once, the deal is likewise said to have been consummated on a “pakyaw” basis.
Manny’s impact seems everywhere and in every walk of life. He is also a movie actor in between fights. He endorses products like a gin, a pain killer and a pair of socks. A product has even been named “Pakyaw”.
At a time when the country hungered for world sports recognition, Manny provided one which prominently highlighted the country once again in the world of sports.
Pacquiao has lived up to his family name. He is practically in everything everywhere. His success in boxing has surely compensated for the failures in all others.
His country’s Ambassador of goodwill
Manny’s ready smile, friendliness and sportsmanship speaks well of himself and the country he well represents.
Manny Pacquiao, your countrymen whom you love also love you. You are today what the Filipino wants the world to know about the Filipino.
