By Joel D. Pinaroc
From a lowly bakery boy to a bona fide world boxing champion and celebrity, the story of Manny Pacquiao‘s rise to global prominence is the stuff that legends are made of.
Who would have thought that an impoverished boy from an obscure town in General Santos City in the Philippines, with only his guts and fists, will take on the world stage and prove that perseverance, and unbelievable grit, really do pay. The rise of Pacquiao as a world-class boxer comes as a breath of fresh air to an ailing nation desperately in need of a hero.
Even in defeat, the Filipino people found in a Pacquiao an icon, a beacon telling them that with enough personal sacrifice, and with enough resolve, nothing is impossible.
Pacquiao’s tremendous fighting heart and fists, honed through the years, grabbed the imagination of not just Filipinos, but foreign fans as well. His pugilistic skills were once described by a prominent boxing scribe in the US as a “deadly blend of speed and power” that is not very often seen in boxing.
Sure, there have been Filipino boxers of Pacquiao’s caliber. Many of them, just like Pacquiao, had their share of glory on the world stage, and made the Philippines proud.
The difference however is that Pacquiao transcended boxing, which very few athletes were able to do. And why not, the boy from GenSan, fondly called “PacMan” to describe the way he gobbles up his opponents inside the ring, has the charisma and easy-going personality which made it even easier for him to achieve mainstream success.
Mainstream success, very often measured by the throngs of screaming fans, the billboards, and the endorsements, is really not unexpected for Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, it seems, is a “natural.” The everyday Joe, at least in the Philippines, would readily “relate” to Pacquiao’s story. Pacquiao’s well-documented bout with severe poverty, his decision to pack his bags and pursue the Spartan life of a boxer, without knowing what the future holds, mirrors the situation that most common folks face today. To the Filipino, Pacquiao personifies the mantra that defeat and hardships maybe inevitable in life, but success comes to those who can weather the storm.
And in the wake of his numerous victories, Pacquiao does not forget to tell the world that he is dedicating his win to his homeland. Pacquiao defies the stereotypical Filipino celebrity. His battle-scarred face, which easily breaks into an impish smile, and his confidence to speak his mind, particularly in interviews with the American press, and insisting on not using an interpreter, all add up to his now legendary story.
Pacquiao, often dressed in a simple polo shirt and jeans, have been feted by politicians, celebrities, the elite, the clergy, as well as millions of “commoners” lining up to congratulate the “PacMan” or catch a glimpse of their hero.
Whether fighting abroad or in his home country, Pacquiao carriers with him the pride of a whole nation. Never before in the Philippines’ colorful history, or in any other country, that a boxing match, with Pacquiao fighting, can put a temporary lid to criminality.
In his very few defeats, one can almost see a feeling of nationwide gloom, while a Pacquiao victory would almost certainly trigger a frenzy of celebrations.
Much has been said of what Pacquiao did to achieve worldwide fame and the fortune that comes with it. But Pacquiao’s story continues to inspire, his achievements likened to that of a national hero, his victories over foreign foes always putting Filipino pride in a moment of glory for the world to see, no matter how fleeting these moments are.
And the future is still bright for the pride of GenSan.
Tags: Manny Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao Bosing Champion, Manny Pacquiao Story, Philippine Boxing News
