While waiting for my daughter's dismissal yesterday, I got hold of our local newspaper - Baguio Midland Courier, and ran across an article that has somehow touched my sensibility as a Filipino. Good thing, the article is also published on the net so I could easily access a copy of it coz I really can't help but post the article here. This could just be something petty for some, but then, petty as it may seem, I'm sure any Filipino would agree with the author (as I do) that there is nothing wrong in taking pride with whatever victory one Filipino has achieved. Indeed, "only if you are a Filipino" will you understand why Filipinos value so much every victory and recognition. I posted the article not because I am a fanatic of Pacquiao, but because I agree with the author's opinion and how he has touched the "pusong pinoy" in me.
by Guillermo Bandonill Jr.
Because of his sensational and spectacular victory over Miguel Cotto two weeks back, Manny Pacquiao was paraded in the major cities of the country. To further stress the recognition given to him by an adoring nation, he was conferred some of the highest government awards that only dignitaries can dream of. With this victory, he was practically immortalized.
I am not just about to make a rehash of Pacquiao’s win over the Puerto Rican champion. All of that had already been said and done. Truth is, over the past weeks or so following the fight, people had been talking about Pacquiao. Not only about his victory but all other sidelights and insights pertaining to his life, his wife and his other activities – if you know what I mean.
I chose to talk about Pacquiao in this column because of a painful comment I heard from a foreigner friend last Wednesday. I will not divulge his name though because, he may be indicted for libeling a national treasure and may be subjected to deportation proceedings. Said my friend from the comfort of his cellphone: “I cannot understand why the Filipinos give so much attention to an ordinary fighter who is expected to conquer his foe inside the ring?” He further added during our conversation that: “I am amazed at the accolade being conferred to a prized fighter, who, being paid by millions of dollars, is raised to the category of a hero.”
My friend may not have understood the import of his words and the impact it may have on the Filipino people. He was probably talking as an outsider—a man who does not appreciate the sport of boxing. Just for this reason, I have forgiven him. Yet, I must also acquit the emotions of majority of the Filipinos, including me, for praising and loving Pacquiao for what he has done. I owe it not only to myself but to all boxing patrons who believe that in boxing, Pacquiao has glorified the Philippines and given pride to all Filipinos.
First, Pacquiao is no ordinary fighter. He is considered as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today. Some experts even attest that Pacquiao may rank among the best fighters of all time. He has performed beyond what other boxers have achieved. Seven world titles in seven different weight divisions. This is not the achievement of an ordinary boxer.
Still, why will all of these achievements by a single man glorify and give hope to our country? You have to be a Filipino to understand.
Our people have been stereotyped by other nations as a country of slaves. At times, a country of domestic helpers and laborers. We cannot even rank highly in survey when it comes to our trustworthiness as a people. Our race and nationality have been maligned not only twice but several times in blogs.
How many times did our government need to interpose a formal diplomatic protest over foreign shows depicting our Maria Claras as worthless workers? It is even very painful to see our people being painted as prostitutes and mail order brides. The victory of Pacquiao over his foreign opponents has given us pride. It has removed our race from being branded as a second class or even third class people. With the victory of Pacquiao, we parade him and cheer for him because for a moment we feel superior over other races. For a time, we are proud that the stereotyping characteristic cast upon us by other people is not true. We jubilate over Pacquiao’s victories because it is the only time when we, Filipinos, can dream of dominating the world. That is why it means so much to us that Pacquiao wins his fights.
Indeed, one man makes a difference. Pacquiao does make a difference in our lives. He unites our country every time he fights. It is only during his fights that the country lives in a peaceful state. No crime, no criminal. There are only Filipinos cheering for a countryman who fights for his country and for his people. That is why we idolize him so much. It does not matter that he earns millions for himself. He deserves it. If the states of America parade their teams every time they win a major tournament, why can’t we parade a man who, in behalf of the Filipino, conquers the world every time he fights? My friend may have totally missed the analogy. I cannot blame him though because he is not a Filipino.
Only by being a Filipino can one understand the anxiety of waiting for Pacquiao and the indescribable joy of being a Filipino.
I am not just about to make a rehash of Pacquiao’s win over the Puerto Rican champion. All of that had already been said and done. Truth is, over the past weeks or so following the fight, people had been talking about Pacquiao. Not only about his victory but all other sidelights and insights pertaining to his life, his wife and his other activities – if you know what I mean.
I chose to talk about Pacquiao in this column because of a painful comment I heard from a foreigner friend last Wednesday. I will not divulge his name though because, he may be indicted for libeling a national treasure and may be subjected to deportation proceedings. Said my friend from the comfort of his cellphone: “I cannot understand why the Filipinos give so much attention to an ordinary fighter who is expected to conquer his foe inside the ring?” He further added during our conversation that: “I am amazed at the accolade being conferred to a prized fighter, who, being paid by millions of dollars, is raised to the category of a hero.”
My friend may not have understood the import of his words and the impact it may have on the Filipino people. He was probably talking as an outsider—a man who does not appreciate the sport of boxing. Just for this reason, I have forgiven him. Yet, I must also acquit the emotions of majority of the Filipinos, including me, for praising and loving Pacquiao for what he has done. I owe it not only to myself but to all boxing patrons who believe that in boxing, Pacquiao has glorified the Philippines and given pride to all Filipinos.
First, Pacquiao is no ordinary fighter. He is considered as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today. Some experts even attest that Pacquiao may rank among the best fighters of all time. He has performed beyond what other boxers have achieved. Seven world titles in seven different weight divisions. This is not the achievement of an ordinary boxer.
Still, why will all of these achievements by a single man glorify and give hope to our country? You have to be a Filipino to understand.
Our people have been stereotyped by other nations as a country of slaves. At times, a country of domestic helpers and laborers. We cannot even rank highly in survey when it comes to our trustworthiness as a people. Our race and nationality have been maligned not only twice but several times in blogs.
How many times did our government need to interpose a formal diplomatic protest over foreign shows depicting our Maria Claras as worthless workers? It is even very painful to see our people being painted as prostitutes and mail order brides. The victory of Pacquiao over his foreign opponents has given us pride. It has removed our race from being branded as a second class or even third class people. With the victory of Pacquiao, we parade him and cheer for him because for a moment we feel superior over other races. For a time, we are proud that the stereotyping characteristic cast upon us by other people is not true. We jubilate over Pacquiao’s victories because it is the only time when we, Filipinos, can dream of dominating the world. That is why it means so much to us that Pacquiao wins his fights.
Indeed, one man makes a difference. Pacquiao does make a difference in our lives. He unites our country every time he fights. It is only during his fights that the country lives in a peaceful state. No crime, no criminal. There are only Filipinos cheering for a countryman who fights for his country and for his people. That is why we idolize him so much. It does not matter that he earns millions for himself. He deserves it. If the states of America parade their teams every time they win a major tournament, why can’t we parade a man who, in behalf of the Filipino, conquers the world every time he fights? My friend may have totally missed the analogy. I cannot blame him though because he is not a Filipino.
Only by being a Filipino can one understand the anxiety of waiting for Pacquiao and the indescribable joy of being a Filipino.
(The article was published in Baguio Midland Courier dated November 29, 2009.)
2 comments:
good work dear i like the why ,, well take care bye
Nice to see, excellent layour and this post i very valuable,, thankz..
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