Babe's Eye View article

I must admit that when Manny Pacquiao was thinking of getting into politics, I was one of those who expressed serious doubts about it mainly because I, like many others, did not want to see such a great boxer destroyed by the viciousness of politics in this country. But then again, politics is part of everyday life with Filipinos, and next to basketball and boxing, it is probably the most popular spectator sport in the country. After a couple of months in the Batasan Pambansa, one has to admit that the “People’s Champ” has not done so badly—seriously studying how to be a congressman, living up to his title and doing what he can to uplift the lives of his poor Sarangani constituents by pushing to provide jobs, education and healthcare.

Manny has in fact been known in his province as playing the role of “godfather”—not the “Don Corleone” type—but as an adviser and benefactor to his town mates who seek his guidance on many aspects of their lives with, of course, the usual financial assistance. The fact that he can well afford to give out financial help as a private individual has totally convinced the people of Sarangani that he can in fact be serious in his promise to fight corruption.

“Galing ako sa wala (I had nothing),” Pacquiao always said—and it is the hardships he went through as a poor young man that gives him empathy for those who have nothing in life. “I feel what they’re feeling because I’ve been there,” he had said many times, knowing what it’s like to go hungry and sleep on the streets with not even a blanket to shield him from the cold.

Perhaps no other Filipino success story today can be as compelling or as inspiring as the rags-to-riches story of the world’s most popular boxer. Here is a guy who wanted to escape the grinding poverty he was born in by doing something about it through sheer determination, hard work and discipline. To help feed his siblings, Pacquiao sold pan de sal while trying to make it as a boxer. He was the “padre de familia” after his father abandoned them at a young age.

If there’s anything, Pacman could very well represent the real champion that every Filipino could and should be. He’s proud to be a Filipino and deeply loves his country and its people. He generously shares his wealth and fame with the people he loves, very often to a fault that they fool him.

Manny had endured life’s painful punches, literally and figuratively, and emerged a champion not so much because he wanted the glory for himself but because he knew his family needed him—much like our overseas Filipino workers who endure all kinds of hardships and sacrifices so they could feed their families. Like Pacquiao who has to go through a lot of physical pain during training and on the ring itself, OFWs bear the pain of separation from their loved ones. They brave unfamiliar cultures to earn precious dollars that in fact have tremendously helped keep this country afloat. Like Pacquiao the iconic boxing champion, the saying “no guts, no glory” and “no pain, no gain” can very well apply to OFWs.

On the few occasions that I had a chance to meet Manny Pacquiao, I must say he truly radiates humility and a self-effacing charisma that immediately makes him such a likable fellow. Perhaps this is why his popularity has transcended age, race, gender, and social status. But one thing for sure, Manny is a pretty smart guy and he knows his limitations. He went out of his way to equip himself for the job of a congressman by taking a crash course on Development, Legislation and Governance at the Development Academy of the Philippines. While some may have initially underestimated him, people have a different perception of him now. Even in the United States, he has proven himself to have political clout after his successful endorsement of Senator Harry Reid who was certain to lose in Nevada had it not been for Manny. Former US President Bill Clinton even confirmed this at the Manila Hotel last Thursday when he said, “I’m sure my friend, Senator Reid, won because Manny Pacquiao campaigned for him.”

But more than his newfound political influence both here and abroad or his charisma or even his boxing prowess, perhaps the most remarkable trait that Manny Pacquiao has, and which many Filipinos share, is his unwavering faith in God. The well-known routine that this great boxer does is not at all a put-on when he drops on his knees before a fight, praying not so much for victory but that no one seriously gets hurt, humbly surrendering himself to God’s will. Manny says he is where he is today because God placed him there for a reason; he truly believes his mission is to help the poor. He generously gives money whenever possible, firmly believing that everything he owns came from God anyway—and that whatever he gives away will be replaced by more blessings so that he can give some more.

Whatever happens today with his fight against Antonio Margarito, the Filipino boxing champ has already won a hundred times over. He has already rewritten boxing history and has achieved so much more than anyone in his position can ever dream of in his lifetime. But more than that, he has taught many of us how to be humble, to be proud of our country, and has shown us the true Filipino character.