Pacquiao’s political loss is the country’s gain
July 04, 2008 | 03:16PMSeeing how Manny Pacquiao can be completely devastating when he’s focused and free of distractions, I can’t help but wonder how long he can sustain it. He certainly has a lot on his plate: Aside from his professional boxing career he also co-hosts a show, has failed political aspirations he will certainly try to revive, and a kind of social responsibility to people looking for inspiration and some sort of relief. Not to mention making appearances on TV or entertaining countless political and showbiz visitors when he’s home. It takes a herculean effort to juggle all those and keep himself in perfect shape that it becomes impossible, really.
There’s no doubt that Pacquiao has matured and probably even realized that a really unique kind of boxing glory is within his grasp. I noticed that immediately after the fight and during the interviews. He seems, well, changed. And especially after this demolition of Diaz, there was collective agreement that he may very well be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and that what he achieved was monumental indeed.
But I’m worried, and perhaps will be a bit restrained in declaring how great he is and how he’s that Filipino sports hero I’ve been pining for. We’ll see in November then?
Paquiao has nothing more to prove to anyone. Whether he wins or loses the next fight, he’s achieved more than anyone of us can hope for and unselfishly helped others. So just be happy for the guy and do your share of helping others.
i agree. its best he trains abroad because of many distractions in the philippines. distractions like politicos riding on his popularity and want to cash in on it by encouraging him to run for office or even artistas that are so feeling close to him. let’s hope his trainers knock some sense into him esp if theres another fight coming along. because it will be too bad and lessen his greatness if he loses just because of those stupid distractions like politics. pacquiao is a good man for being helpful to others but maybe some of those he helps will help him also by not always expecting him to pour his attention to them. esp if those who need his aid are just freeloaders or those with vested interest.
To Pareng Manny, you can do whatever you want with your life and i’m
sure the filipino people will always be behind you in all your
endeavors. hwag mo lang kalimutan balato ko ha.