Si Manny Pacquiao at ang Bibliya Niya

Si Manny Pacquiao at ang Bibliya Niya

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Hindi ito isyu ng kabaklaan o katomboyan, kundi tungkol sa lawak o kakitiran ng isip ng isang tao, lalo pa at nadadamay ang relihiyon na hindi dapat. Sa pinakahuling interview kay Manny Pacquiao sa isang radio station halatang hindi niya naiintindihan ang isyu na naglagay sa kanya sa alanganin, dahil paulit-ulit lang siya sa pagbanggit ng Diyos at Bibliya. Kung ganoon ang takbo ng kanyang isipan, sa halip na pumasok sa pulitika, nag-pastor na lang sana siya. Dapat isipin ni Pacquiao na hindi lahat ng Pilipino ay naniniwala sa Bibliya at katulad niyang Kristiyano. At bilang mambabatas, ang trabaho niya ay gumawa ng batas para sa ikabubuti ng LAHAT ng Pilipino, ano man ang relihiyon nila, AT HINDI ANG MAGYABANG NG KAALAMAN TUNGKOL SA BIBLIYA NA GINAGAMIT NILA SA KANILANG CHRISTIAN GROUP! Binara siya ng radio announcer nang banggitin niya ang Leviticus na pinagmulan daw ng sinabi niya tungkol sa “karumal-dumal” na ginagawa ng mga tomboy at bakla na ayaw niya. Ang nasabing chapter ng Bibliya ay maselan, at hindi lahat ng sinasabi dito ay angkop sa kasalukuyang panahon. Swak sa kanya ang kasabihang, “a little learning is a dangerous thing”.

 

Paulit-ulit na sinasabi ni Pacquiao na ayaw niya ang ginagawa ng mga bakla at tomboy sa isa’t isa dahil bawal daw sa Bibliya at binanggit pa ang Sodom at Gomorrah. Ano ang gusto niyang gawin ng mga bakla at tomboy na may mga ka-live in at nakatira sa ilalim ng iisang bubong?…magdasal minu-minuto at mag-ngitian? Kung uunawain niya ang isang tao, dapat ay unawain din niya ang buong pagkatao nito. Hindi ba niya alam kung ano ang ginagawa ng mga ito bilang paraan ng pagparaos? Napaka-ipokrito niya kung hindi niya ito alam. Kung totoo ang sinasabi niyang may mga kamag-anak siyang bakla, bakit hindi niya tanungin ang mga ito upang malaman niya? Mag-ingat siya dapat dahil may lahi silang bakla, at alalahanin niyang may dalawa siyang anak na lalaki, na sana ay hindi makitaan ng mga senyales. Si Rustom Padilla ay umaming may pusong babae at nagpakababae, hindi noong bata o tin-edyer pa lang siya, kundi nang siya ay may asawa na.

 

Nang tanungin si Manny kung bakit si Binay ay malakas magdasal pero nagnanakaw pa rin, kinausap na raw niya ito at nagsabi na hangga’t walang napapatunayan, ay inosente siya. Magkasama sila sa iisang partido. Ngayon ako naniniwala sa kasabihang, “birds of a feather flock together….”

 

Kung Bibliya ang pinagbabatayan niya ng sinabi niyang masahol pa sa hayop at karumal-dumal ang ginagawa ng mga taong pareho ang kasarian kaya ayaw niya, nakalimutan yata niyang sa libro ring ito nakasaad ang mga karumal-dumal na pakikipagtalik sa iba’t ibang babae, ng mga paborito ng Diyos na sina David at Solomon! Huwag niyang sabihing maka-Diyos ang ginawa ng mag-ama noong unang panahon sa pagkaroon ng harem na kinabibilangan din ng mga babaeng pagano na ayaw na ayaw ng Diyos.

 

Kung gusto niyang magbanggit ng kahayupan, bakit hindi niya banggiting masahol pa sa hayop ang mag-asawang babae at lalaki na maya’t maya ay nag-aaway dahil sa pera, o di kaya ay pabaya sa mga anak na tin-edyer pa lang ay adik na, o di kaya ay nagsabwatan upang maglaglag ng nabubuong sanggol sa sinapupunan, na basta na lang ipa-flush sa inuduro o itapon sa basurahan? Bakit hindi niya sabihing masahol pa sa hayop ang ibang mga “tunay” na babae at  lalaki na kung atakehin ng kalibugan ay masahol pa sa asong ulol, na kung tawagin ay sex maniac  at nympho maniac? Bakit hindi niya sabihing masahol pa sa hayop ang mga kapareho niyang mga pulitiko na nagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan ng perang dapat ay ginagastos para sa mga nagugutom? Bakit hindi niya kondenahin ang mga halos mamatay sa paghinagpis na mga “sports men” kuno na pilit nagpapakalaki ganoong pusong babae naman pala? Bakit hindi niya kondenahin ang mga taong sa kagustuhang kumita ay nambubugbog…tulad niya?

 

Kung hindi alam ni Pacquiao,  ayon sa siyensiya hindi nalalaman kung ang isang sanggol ay magiging tomboy o bakla. Sa kanilang paglaki at nagkaroon ng kaliwanagan, kaya ang may pera ay nagpapalit na lang ng kasarian na tutugma sa tunay nilang nararamdaman. Dapat ay malaman din niya na ang tao ay may DNA kung saan ay nakaimbak ang lahat tungkol sa kanyang pagkatao  at hindi niya ito kontrolado. Ang mga nakalagay sa DNA na ito ay BIGAY ng Diyos, hindi hiningi ng nabubuong sanggol sa sinapupunan ng kanyang nanay, at lalong hindi hiningi ng mag-asawang ibigay sa magiging anak nila na resulta ng kanilang pagpaparaos! Kaya, ibig sabihin ay dapat respetuhin at unawain ang isang tao kung ano mang uri siya dahil lahat ng bagay tungkol sa kanyang pagkatao ay BIGAY ng Diyos! Kung karamihan sa mga pari ay nananahimik na nga lang tungkol dito dahil ang iba ay guilty, at ang santo papa naman ay nagpapahiwatig ng pang-unawa, si Pacquiao naman ay nagyayabang sa pagsabing “….ayon sa Bibliya..”. Dapat pala ay nasa pulpito si Pacquiao na ngayon ay nangangampanya bilang senador!

 

Kung gusto niyang patunayang may sampalataya siya sa Diyos at Bibliya niya, bakit hindi siya magpatayo ng mga bahay sambahan sa iba’t ibang liblib na bahagi ng Pilipinas dahil ang mga tao dito ay naglalakad pa ng kung ilang kilometro makarating lang sa pinakamalapit na kapilya?

Ang tunay na pananampalataya ay hindi binabatay sa uri ng relihiyon at Bibliya. Ang tunay na pananampalataya sa Diyos ay nakaangkla sa pagmamahal at pang-unawa sa kapwa dahil kung hindi kayang gawin ito ng isang tao, lalabas na nagkukunwari lang siya sa pagsampalataya sa Diyos na hindi niya nakikita. Ang dalisay na pananampalataya sa Diyos ay umuusbong mula sa puso, hindi dinidikta ng Bibliya at ibang tao, lalo na ng mga ipokrito.  Ang isang taong masahol pa sa hayop ay yong nagkukunwari bilang Kristiyano dahil ginagamit nila si Hesus upang magyabang ng pananalig na ampaw – walang laman…at hanggang pakitang-tao lang.

 

Kawawa talaga ang Pilipinas dahil naglipana ang mga hayop sa lahat ng sulok, lalo na sa gobyerno – mga buwaya, buwitre, linta, aso, unggoy, ipis, langaw, at tungaw!!! Naalala ko tuloy ang mga mga pilosopong malibog kaya dumami ang mga anak, na sa Bible daw ay may utos na,  “go forth into the world and multiply”…yon lang. Hindi nila inuunawa ang kabuuhan ng utos. Maraming ganyan ngayon na nagmamarunong nang makahawak ng Bibliya, kaya akala nila sa sarili ay pantas na pagdating sa mga nilalaman nito. Ang pagiging maka-Diyos ay pinapakita sa gawa, hindi pinagyayabang sa pamamagitan ng pagsasalita!

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.

Despite the Failure, Manny Pacquiao is still an inspiration…a true Christian in heart and spirit!

Despite the Failure, Manny Pacquiao
is still an inspiration…a true Christian in heart and spirit!
by Apolinario Villalobos

They say that after the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, the luster of boxing as an exciting sport which many enthusiasts transposed into gambling will be gone. The sport could turn bloody and deadly which makes it exciting, as enthusiastic boxers exchange punches, each one hoping to land a decisive one to his opponent.

While many boxers find their way to the square platform ringed with rope for the money, Pacquiao uses nationalism and his love for the sport as his alibis. Despite those humble reasons, he clearly gained from his victories as he became a billionaire by Philippine standard. He made use of the fame from his victories to propel his way to the Philippine Congress. He was even respectfully accepted as a singer and a playing basketball coach, thanks to his eminence. And, from being a Catholic he was pulled to the fold of a Christian sect which of course became more popular. The people who are surrounding him became unquestionably rich, and undeniably, his company gave them popularity, too. In other words, Pacquiao gained but was pitifully used at the same time. After his latest fight with Mayweather, it is obvious that he is the loser all the way, a fact that not even his “humble” statements, albeit, betrayed sometimes by his defensive statements may not cover up a bit. Truth really hurts.

Pacquiao has only his too trusting own-self to blame for all that transpired in his bout with Mayweather. He was overconfident of his prowess, despite the shoulder injury that he incurred in the course of his training, and he also trusted his manager who did not declare the injury during the weigh-in. His honest admission of such injury during an interview after the fight hoping that it could justify his poor performance, cost him an immediately- filed class suit in Nevada, for a whooping damages of USD5M, with several more filed later.

Boxing fans all over the world felt cheated because Pacquiao did not deliver as expected, despite the excessively-priced tickets for the venue and pay per view on screen. They must have expected Pacquiao to maim Mayweather or turn him into a bloody pulp with his powerful right punch. And, the allegation that the information about his injury may have been leaked to the Mayweather camp, making the American boxer focus on the further weakening of his right shoulder by frequently hugging him followed by jabs to such particular part of his body, thereby, preventing him from delivering powerful right jabs… is another issue.

The enthusiastic quest of Pacquiao for fame has spelled his latest failure, for despite his physical inadequacy he went on with the fight. Many boxing enthusiasts are saying that he should have retired long time ago yet while he was perched on the pedestal of fame as the only boxer with many titles to his name, though with a few loses. He was lionized by sports magazines, admired even by Hollywood icons and equally famous boxers. He should have concentrated on his responsibilities as a Congressman to show that he is worthy of a higher post, or help budding boxers by putting up boxing gyms all over the country, or even put up chapels for his Christian congregation and pursue his spiritual advocacy.

Although there are gyms in Manila that bear his name on their signboards, some people doubt if he owns all of them, and if indeed he does, it is doubted if he visits them regularly. He neglected his duties as the Representative of Sarangani, one of the poor provinces, if not the poorest in the whole Philippines, and ironically, where he is also allegedly constructing the biggest and most luxurious resort in the country. His fellow congressmen justified his absences from sessions with “nationalism” as he was supposedly fighting for his countrymen and beloved country.

Unfortunately, his ventures seemingly show him as the kind of guy who wants to have everything in life all at once, a person without gratification. He spreads himself so thinly, that could dangerously crack his person, even beyond recovery. Sadly, if more legal cases against him will be filed in the United States and prosper to his disadvantage, many fans are concerned that the painfully- earned dollars from his boxing career may just be enough for the alleged damages and legal expenses. Will his “friends” help him, especially the opportunistic politicians who hover over him, hoping to be caught on cameras every time there are fights or interviews? I hope that his story will not be like those of other champion Filipino boxers who got intoxicated by fame that caused their painful fall with a loud thud.

Pacquiao has been perceived by his users as a fighting cock or a prized breed of dog that must be groomed well for competitions because of big amounts that they wager. Pacquiao did not feel this a bit as he got numbed by adulation. He was engrossed in the thought that he was being idolized and looked up to as inspiration of aspiring boxers which are really true. But he was blinded by his success so he failed to see the unfavorable side of his victorious streak. He also failed to comprehend the laws of life that say: a cup overflows as it can take just enough …and what goes up must come down. In other words, there is an end to everything in life as willed by God.

Honestly, I had been apprehensive about an injury that he will finally endure, but in his eardrum which was damaged during an earlier fight, and which will eventually affect his vision. Though I was right about the heavy damage, it happened in another part of his body – his right shoulder. The only persons who could authoritatively tell Pacquiao to stop his boxing career, in this regard, will be the surgeons who will perform the operation, but only if they find the damage in his right shoulder to be beyond repair. Will the family of Pacquiao pray for this as they want Manny to move around with still the same swagger, both shoulders moving in rhythm with his arms? For sure, if Pacquiao is assured of a total recovery in time by the surgeons, he will vehemently and stubbornly decide for a rematch to which Mayweather has already consented this early.

The damage being suffered by Pacquiao is too much that his fans should stop egging him to go on for a rematch with Mayweather. Waiting for him are legal suits filed in America which are more than enough to cause him sleepless nights. Besides, no boxer will ever expect a victory over a shrewd and “technically wise” fighter such as Mayweather with his evasive hugs, back steps and runs, unless a knock-out punch hits him clean and squarely.

Despite his latest failure, Pacquiao should be credited for his effort in showing how to fight decently by maintaining his utmost humility and clean style. Subtly, he softened Mayweather as shown by the absence of arrogance in the latter’s statements every time he was interviewed before and after the fight. If boxing historians will be fair enough to Pacquiao, they should acknowledge his restrained insistence to maintain sportsmanship which should be the essence of boxing. He has been setting instances on how to maintain a friendly mood after the physically straining and painful competition, by inviting his opponents to his hometown for a visit, with all expenses covered by him. If that is not a friendly gesture, I do not know what it should be called.

As a countryman and avid fan, I sincerely pray for the fast recovery of Manny Pacquiao. He may have been waylaid by his overly trusting attitude, kindness, and most especially his zealous desire to rise from his humble beginning. His unwavering endurance to fight poverty should inspire us to move on and hurdle the challenges along the way. For me, he is the same Manny Pacquiao with a tiger look, an innocent smile, hearty laugh and a husky voice like any other country singer around; the same guy who struggles with English to show that he is trying his best to recoup the lost time that should have been spent in classroom, but denied him due to utter poverty; and, the same guy who prays before and after a fight. He showed us how to love unconditionally, as besides showering his mother and family with it, he extended the same to his father who abandoned them while he and his siblings were young, leaving his mother to work night and day just to keep them alive. For me, he is a true Christian in heart and spirit, selflessly compassionate, and who does not harbor hate in his heart!

Mga Rebelasyon sa Pre-fight Press Conference ni Pacquiao at Mayweather…at ang oportunidad ng mga okasyong may media

Mga Rebelasyon sa Pre-fight Press Conference
Ni Pacquiao at Mayweather
…at ang oportunidad ng mga okasyong may media
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Impressive ang venue ng presscon nina Pacquiao at Mayweather para sa kanilang bakbakan. Marami rin ang mga rebelasyon. Si Pacquiao, ginawang magician ang Diyos nang sabihin niyang ginawa daw siya “from nothing into something”. Wala man lang nagbulong sa kanya na sana ay “from nobody into big somebody”. Lahat kasi ay natulala sa kabonggahan ng okasyon na animo ay pang- Grammy Awards…may red carpet pa! Si Mayweather ay talagang tuso, dahil hindi nagpatalo kay Pacquiao. Trying hard si Mayweather sa pagsalita na parang pastor, para bang gustong ipahiwatig na hindi man siya nagbabasa ng Bible o nagpi-preach tulad ni Pacquiao, pwede naman siyang umastang parang pastor at mas swabe pa ang epek kaysa kay Pacquiao dahil sa unbelievable na sobra niyang pagkamahinahon lalo na sa ginamit niyang mababang boses at mga piling salitang binitiwan.

Nagpasalamat si Pacquiao sa kanyang mga team na banyaga at Pilipino na umaalalay sa kanya. Hindi niya binanggit ang nanay niya, ganoong binigyan siya nito ng rosaryo kaya nananalo daw siya noon sa mga laban niya, pero hindi na niya ipinakita nang maging born-again Christian siya. Ang nanay naman niya bandang huli ay nagkasya na lamang sa pagbato ng mga incantations o dasal sa kanyang mga kalaban upang matalo niya. Malamang nakahanda na naman ang nanay niya para sa darating na laban nila Mayweather…baka mas matinding incantation ang inihanda niya…huwag lang sana niyang samahan ng pagsirko-sirko at pagsayaw. By the way, nanay niya ang nasa likod ng pagsuot niya milyong-halagang outfit sa presscon. Sabi ng nanay niya…”deserve mo yan, anak”. Ganyan dapat ang nanay!

Si Mayweather naman, abut-abot ang pasalamat sa kanyang tatay na naghirap upang maging batikan siyang boksingero. Hindi niya nabanggit ang Diyos. Dahil sa ginawa ni Mayweather, sana ay hindi masumbatan ni Mrs. Dionesia Pacquiao ang kanyang anak na hindi nagbanggit sa kanya. Sa kabuuhan, talagang parang maamong tupa si Mayweather kaya marami ang natuwa sa kanyang pagbabago. Hindi kaya nag-alala lang ito dahil ang mga Holywood celebrities ay kay Pacquiao nakapusta? Kaya kapag nagsalita siya ng laban kay Pacquiao, siguradong “maaayos” siya!

May mga okasyong talagang nakakapagpabago ng tao, kahit panandalian lamang. Sa isang okasyon nga ay may isang taong akala ng marami ay mahina lang ang loob kaya walang kibo kahit nilalait na sa media, subalit biglang naging mabalasik sa pagbato ng mga paninisi sa isa pang tao. Naging kampanti yata dahil ang mga umatend sa okasyon ay inakala niyang puro niya kakampi – mga piling bisita. Ang mga okasyong may media ay itinuturing din na magandang venue upang makapagyabang, kaya ginagamit ang mga ito nitong tao at kanyang mga tagapagsalita upang maipagyabang ang mga ginawa daw niya, na sa totoo lang ay puro kasinungalingan. Kilala na itong tao sa pabago-bago niyang mga sinasabi, at sa pagsandal sa mga kaibigan na akala niya ay matatalino at magagaling. Subalit parang pinagsisihan niya ang ginawa niyang pagbitaw sa isa dahil hindi na niya ito binabanggit kapag siya ay nanduduro ng paninisi sa isa pang tao!…ibig sabihin kasi ng “bff” ay “best friend FOREVER”!

Isang Sulyap Kay Manny Pacquiao Bilang Kongresista

Isang Sulyap Kay Manny Pacquiao
Bilang Kongresista
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Bilib ako kay Pacquiao – bilang boksingero, pero wala pa siyang napatunayan bilang kongresista. Ang pinakahuling pangarap niya bilang coach ng isang basketball team para sa PBA ay nalusaw nang ma-eliminate ang grupo. Hindi rin kinakagat ng publiko ang kanyang pagkanta, pati ang pag-host sa TV na hindi rin tumagal. Dapat maliwanagan si Pacquiao na ang bawa’t tao ay may nakalaang papel sa mundo, isang papel kung saan ang pagkatao niya ay talagang itinugma ng Diyos.

Dahil sa pinanggalingang kahirapan, parang gustong patunayan ni Pacquiao na lahat ay posible kung pagsisikapan. Tama siya. Subalit iba ang posibleng nagawa sa magagawang angkop na ayon sa inaasahan. Hindi yan nalalayo sa isang tao na gustong patunayang kaya niyang maipasa ang pagsusulit ng abogasya, na nagawa naman niya. Subalit hanggang doon lang siya, kung sa pagka-abogado niya ay hindi naman pala siya epektibo, dahil lahat ng hawakan niyang kaso ay puro talo.

Masigasig si Pacquiao at walang kapaguran kung mag-ensayo. Malakas siyang sumuntok at magaling ang mga istratehiya batay sa istratehiya ng mga kalaban. Ang mga ito ay katangian ng isang magaling na boksingero, kaya lumutang siya sa larangang ito. Subalit bilang kongresista ay wala pa siyang ginawa upang patunayan na epektibo siyang representative na dapat ay gumagawa ng lahat para sa ikauunlad ng kanyang mga kalalawigan dahil na rin sad alas ng kanyang pagliban. Madali sa kanya ang humugot ng pera mula sa kanyang bulsa kung kailangan. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit sinasabi ng ibang mahal niya ang kanyang mga kalalawigan. Subalit ito ay panandaliang konsuwelo lamang. Paano kung hindi na siya ang kongresista? Iba ang mga batas na naipasa at naitala nang panghabang buhay para sa kapakanan ng isang lalawigan.

Naging popular siya dahil sa kanyang pera…bilyonaryo siya, at sa kultura ng Pilipino, isa ito sa mga katangian upang makilala. Ang mga sinasabing batas daw na siya ang author ay hindi maikakailang gawa ng kanyang matitinik na mga tauhan sa opisina. May nagagamit siyang pera para kumuha ng magagaling na researchers at writers. Ganito naman ang mga kalakaran kahit saang opisina. May alam nga akong mga “kolumnista” sa magazines at diyaryo pero may mga “ghost writers” na ginagamit. Marami ring mga mambabatas na kahit simpleng talumpati ay pinapagawa pa sa mga “ghost writers”… panukala pa kaya? Kaya walang dapat pagtakhan kung may mga mambabatas na akala natin ay magaling subalit umaasa lang pala sa matitinik na ghost writers at researchers. Alam ko yan, dahil nadanasan ko ang ganyang trabaho.

Nagbitaw pa si Pacquiao ng paghanga kay Jejomar Binay na sa tingin niya ay karapat-dapat daw na maging presidente ng Pilipinas kaya siniguro niya ang kanyang suporta para dito sa 2016. Malinaw namang ginawa niya ito bunsod ng sama ng loob niya sa administrasyon dahil sa isyu ng tamang buwis na pilit pinababayaran sa kanya ng BIR. Alam ng mga Pilipino kung hanggang saan umabot ang ginawa ni Binay sa pagkamal ng salapi na kwestiyonable. Sa pinapahiwatig niyang suporta sa isang taong tingin ng mga Pilipino ay nangamkam ng pera ng bayan, pati ang kanyang reputasyon ay nalagay sa balag ng alinganin. Paano na ang pinipilit niyang pagpapakita ng isa pa niyang katauhan bilang “pastor”.

Bayani si Pacquiao dahil nagbigay siya ng karangalan sa Pilipinas ng hindi matawarang dangal, subalit sa larangan ng boksing lamang. Malaking kaibahan ang mga responsibilidad ng isang manlalaro sa isang mambabatas. Hindi rin magandang dahilan bilang pagsuporta sa kanya, na sabihing mabuti nga siya at ang kinita niyang limpak-limpak na pera ay galing sa boksing, hindi tulad ng sa maraming pulitiko na ninakaw sa kaban ng bayan. Hindi yan ang isyu…kundi ang tungkulin niya bilang kongresista na ang kaakibat ay tiwala ng mga kalalawigan niyang bumoto sa kanya. At nakadikit din dito ang reputasyon ng buong kamara na dapat ay inuupuan ng mga maaasahang mambatatas.

Matalino si Pacquiao at may pag-iisip ng isang negosyante. Naisip niyang sa pagboboksing ay malaking pera ang malilikom niya para sa mga darating pang mga araw lalo na kung magretiro na siya sa lahat ng pinagkakaabalahan niya. Sa puntong ito, kahit alam niyang may dapat siyang importanteng gampanan bilang kongresista ay pinipilit pa rin niyang paibabawin ang kanyang pagkaboksingero na maswete namang sinuportuhan ng mga kasama niya sa kamara, kahit kapalit nito ay mga pagliban niya. Ginagamit din kasi siya ng mga kaalyado niya dahil sa katanyagan niya.

Isang halimbawa si Pacquiao na pumasok sa pulitika gamit ang katanyagan. Kung ang iba ay ginamit ang pagka-artista, siya naman ay gumamit ng pagiging kampeon sa boksing. Samantalang ang iba naman ay ginamit ang pangalan ng angkan na nakalista sa kasaysayan ng bansa bilang mga tanyag na mambabatas. Ang mga Pilipino ay mahilig sa katanyagan. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit magulo ang pulitika sa Pilipinas, kaya hindi na dapat pang magtanong ang mga Pilipino kung bakit animo ay pusali ang kalagayan ng bansa dahil sa mga tiwaling nakaupo sa gobyerno. Pulitika ang dahilan kung bakit naghihirap ang Pilipinas at mga Pilipino noon pa man, lalo na ngayon. Kaya ang malaking katanungan ay….sino ang may kasalanan?

Sa isyu tungkol kay Pacquiao, dapat lang siyang mag-resign, o kung hindi man ay magbakasyon, at hindi lumiban lang, upang hindi lalabas na niloloko niya ang taong bayan na tuloy pa rin ang pasweldo sa kanya tuwing may workout o laban siya. Huwag siyang mag-alala dahil barya lang naman ang suweldo niya bilang kongresista kung ihambing sa mga kinikita niya sa boksing. Ang tawag sa gagawin niya kung sakaling maliwanagan siya ay….delikadesa, common sense, o sense of fairness.

Kung katanyagan ang pagbabatayan sa pagbigay ng espesyal na konsiderasyon sa isang Pilipino dahil namumukod-tangi siya, dapat ang mga nagbigay ng karangalan sa bansa na tulad ni Lea Salonga, Charise Pempengco, mga beauty title holders, at iba pa ay dapat libre sa buwis at bigyan din ng iba pang pribiliheyo.

Walang dapat alalahanin si Pacquiao dahil para sa mga Pilipino ay bayani talaga siya sa larangan ng palaro…pero, magbayad din siya ng tamang buwis upang masabi niyang nakikinabang ang bansa sa kanya. Subalit ang pinakamalungkot ay ang malinaw na paggamit sa kanyang katanyagan ng mga mapagsamantala sa gobyerno…isang hudyat na talagang mahihirapang makaahon ang Pilipinas sa pagkalugmok dahil sa kultura ng Pilipinong pagmamahal sa katanyagan!

Thanks to Manny Pacquiao, Philippine Day in Macau: November 24, 2013

 

Thanks to Manny Pacquiao

Philippine Day in Macau: November 24, 2013

 

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

 

Once again, we Filipinos, proved that we are a people worthy of significant consideration, thanks to Manny Pacquiao. When hecklers thought that Manny Pacquiao is done with his two consecutive defeats, hence, no longer deserving another curious glance, his bout with Rios in Macau on November 24, 2013, proved them wrong. The glitters of the venue in Macau, casino haven of Asia was enhanced by the presence of Pacquiao’s Hollywood fans and well known boxers who etched their own names in the historical records of this sport industry.

 

For the first time in boxing industry, a lone singer sang the national anthems of the two pugilists, one a US citizen, though a Mexican by ancestry, and the other one, a Filipino No less than the equally international singing sensation Jessica Sanchez rendered the two anthems. Incidentally, although, Jessica’ mother is a Filipina she also has a Mexican  blood.

 

Always a gentleman, Pacquiao never minced a single word of hatred against Rios. His statements are replete with his reminder that boxing is just a sport, profuse thanks to God for giving him strength, and heartfelt dedication of his quest to the “families and people who are victims of the typhoon Yolanda”. All these, he spiced with a promise to the victims that he will be with them soonest as he comes home.

 

This time, Pacquiao, though with still utmost humility, said that he considers himself as a blessing by God to the Pilippines and the Filipino people. He is right, with all the honors that he brought home. In all his fights, he always showed to the people that he owes everything to God and he emphasizes that he is proud to be a Filipino. How many Filipino athletes are doing that?

 

In his own way, Pacquiao has welded the Filipinos into one proud Asian race. Though not strongly spoken he is also trying to change the attitude of both the boxers and fans by advocating sportsmanship. How can then, hecklers conceive him as “corny” every time he pray before his fight and in diligently- learned English, express his desire for universal love and understanding?