Pacquiao Has More to Risk than Bradley in their Third Clash

Pacquiao Has More to Risk than Bradley

In their Third Clash

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

As his usual self, Pacquiao made a surprising announcement to face Tim Bradley in a very crucial bout of his life, for he declared that this would be his “farewell fight”, after which he would finally, hang his gloves for good. But, he could have sounded convincing if his announcement was with an accompanying, “win or lose”. Pacquiao has been known to have a habit of breaking promises of retirement, which made his manager raise his hands in desperation, for he unabashedly declared that Manny may change his mind again.

 

Manny Pacquiao is unquestionably, a Filipino folk hero, having proved that poverty cannot stand in the way of a persevering person with a staunch ambition to succeed. He looks at himself as the inspiration of aspiring, especially, the impoverished Filipino boxers. The nationalistic complex in him expectedly made him declare again, that the fight with Bradley is his offering to the Filipinos, although, many skeptics are hoping that everything will turn out just right in his favor.

 

His first fight with Bradley was a controversial win of the latter, but Pacquiao drove his point as the rightful victorious during their second fight which he won clearly based on the score cards. But it seems that he was not still convinced by his prowess, as he lost to Marquez, not long afterward. The most probability was that, he could have retired, if he won the fight with Marquez. Clearly, that is what he would like to prove in his bout with Bradley – retire from the ring as a doubtless champion in his own right.

 

He is 37 and Bradley is 32, a difference of 5 years, which for boxers is insignificant. But, Pacquiao forgot that his health is not as sound today, as years ago when he could spritely move around the ring and deliver deadly jabs. His surprising knockout during an earlier fight was an indication that his brains could no longer bear jolts brought about by powerful punches. His shoulders that aided his wrists as he delivered his deadly punches were likewise no longer reliably strong and enduring. That is the reason why, his “soft” punches were very noticeable during his latest fight. The spectators were frustrated when Pacquiao failed to deliver his deadly punches.

 

If Pacquiao loses the fight against Bradley, he will be likened to fellow countryman, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde who refused to listen to his friends who had been urging him to retire while still holding on to his crown. His deaf ears brought him flat on his back in the middle of the ring when hit by a whooping jab.

 

As regards Pacquiao, what can prevent him from pursuing a return bout with Bradley if he loses, could just be the onset of the Philippine national 2016 election, during which he is aiming for a senatorial seat. Nevertheless, it is just hoped that his former ear injury will not cause any dreadful effect on his sight and sense of balance, that his brains will not be jolted much that could bring him to a comatose state, and that his once-injured shoulder will still be intact after the fight.

 

On the other hand, Bradley, has all the time to recover lost honor just in case luck will not be on his side. And as regards the financial gain?…obviously, it would be handed to him on a platter without much effort on his part. It should be noted that many boxers have been, practically wooing the camp of Pacquiao to pick them for a fight, while Bradley did not.

 

The Pacquiao-Bradley fight will definitely be the real fight of the century and not the disappointing Pacquiao-Mayweather bout in 2015, as all eyes will be on Pacquiao whose retirement from the ring will be a great loss to boxing (industry?)….if he keeps such promise. Also, if he wins in the Philippine senatorial race, he will go down the boxing history as the only senator-pugilist, as an answer to the feat of Arnold Scwarzenegger – the first body building legend to become Governor of California.

Sharing Need Not Be a “Big Time” Effort

Sharing Need Not Be a “Big Time” Effort

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

I ask from friends and collect myself, what others consider as “trash” – empty rice bags, used shopping plastic bags, brown paper bags, net bags, used tarpaulins, empty jars, lengths of straw rope, etc. – to be distributed among my friends who sell recyclable junks and vegetables by the pile on sidewalks. They are called “buraot” vendors and the “buraot” refers to the junks and wilting vegetables that they sell. Some of them keep the brown paper bags to be used by their children as book covers, and the sturdy plastic grocery bags as “school bags”. On the other hand, the rice bags have many uses, one of which is safekeeping of things in the absence of decent bags that are sold in department stores.

 

It takes me about two weeks to be able to collect a sizeable volume of these various “treasures”, classify the plastic bags according to size, carefully fold them and finally apportion them together with the rest of the items among the pre-identified recipients for easy distribution. I am most glad if I am able to collect big plastic cover of refs and washing machines because they can be used as extended roof for “kariton (pushcart) home” of my friends. I taught them to fold big plastic bags in such a way that they can be used as “rain coat”. I used to do that when I was in elementary during which I would scavenge the garbage dump of a bakery in our town for recyclable junks especially plastic bags.

 

One time, a friend in California, “Perla” sent plenty of blue tarps that went straight to sidewalk and “kariton” dwellers. But I told her to stop sending such kind of item because I met a couple who sell “tinseled” bags of condiments that when spread by slicing open the two sides can serve the purpose of a mat, as well as, protection against the rain – for just Php20.00 apiece.

 

Every time I come home from shopping, I see to it that the bags, both made of plastic and brown paper are properly folded and set aside instead of tossing them into the garbage basket. The brown bag can also be used in keeping extra portions of vegetables before storing them in the ref. Also, I am not ashamed in picking up lengths of straw ropes from the ground while shopping in outdoor shopping areas such as Baclaran and Quiapo, as they are also needed by my friends in tying things that they always bring along with them. As a recycling advocate, I had been doing this for more than thirty years now.

 

Every time I hit the road for my random acts of sharing my backpack is full of these “treasures”, aside from Skyflakes crackers and home-cooked pudding for sharing. I just want to show that sharing blessings need not be a “big time” effort that involves a lot of money. If I can do it, I am sure others can do it, too. Those interested to do the same can start with the plastic bags that can be collected and given to their favorite vendor in the market….by doing so, we also help Mother Nature as the plastic bags that we recycle are prevented from clogging esteros or canals.