Senator Manny Pacquiao, the only boxer who became the 8 division world champion has been cheered by many Filipinos and foreigners all around the world.
However, when the ‘Pambansang Kamao’ entered politics and expressed his support to President Rodrigo Duterte, everything has changed, the people became divided and some of them even publicly ridiculed Pacquiao because of his beliefs.
In his latest victory against Lucas Matthysse, not all Filipinos celebrated on the success of Sen. Pacquiao, some mocked him and even sided with his opponent like ABS-CBN publicist Eric Salut who threw offensive words against Pacman after his win.
Because of this division among Filipinos, Dan Jimenez, a blogger, and UST alumnus couldn’t stop himself from writing a letter addressed to the critics of Senator Manny Pacquiao who seems forgot the honor that the Filipino boxer gave to the Philippines.
Mr. Dan Jimenez/Facebook
In his article, he noticed that the victory of Pacquiao against Mattyhsse had not received very well by the critics of the administration, especially when the Senator praised Duterte during his post-fight interview.
Jimenez pointed out that no Filipino has raised the pride of the country higher than the Senator.
He also highlighted that the Senator served the “laylayan” society by building houses and hospitals for the poor while the “opposition” who claimed that they’re the servant of the marginalized, quickly forgot their promises after they won the election.
The UST alumnus was saddened the Pacquiao became the victim of Philippine politics where even the people who really wanted to serve are being demonized and mocked by the people who are not aligned with their political beliefs.
According to Jimenez, despite the education, fame, and money gained by Pacquiao from boxing, the supporters of the opposition would still look at Pacman as a “boxer” who’s incompetent in serving the public.
He believes that Pacquiao whom he labeled as a “national treasure” doesn’t deserve to be ridiculed just because he supports President Duterte.
You can read his whole post below:
Pacquiao Proud
A splinter in one’s toe shoots pain all the way to the brain. Not only is it bothersome, it hurts. Much like the damning criticisms hurled against Paquiao because he praised Duterte right after his victory. The hate openly expressed in social media and the subtle “left hooks” by the traditional press make a true Filipino question: are we as a people really damned to be divided?
In the world stage of sports, no Filipino has raised the country higher than Pacquiao. With 11 titles in 8 weight divisions, no boxer will ever come close. Nobody. More than that, no Filipino prizefighter has helped more of his “kababayans” with money from his own pocket. He has built houses, schools and a hospital for those what the opposition romantically calls “laylayan” of society. Those who are only of use during elections but are quickly forgotten by the victors who promised heaven on earth. The marginalized are not only Pacquaio’s constituents, they are his genuine concern.
He was an unschooled runaway driven by poverty to boxing. He started fighting professionally even before it was legal for him to do so because he must eat and survive. He burst into the world stage like a whirlwind. Fast. Furious. Unfazed. Without fear. He was cheered by foreigners, even by his vanquished opponents. For Filipinos the world over, it was an honor to be identified as Pacquiao’s compatriot. It felt good.
Politics has a way of demonizing even the most well-intentioned. Philippine politics has fine-tuned it to a science, no one is immune. Even a national treasure like Pacquaio.
It was a weekend of champions. France won the World Cup, Djokovic won Wimbledon, Pacquiao won the WBA Welterweight Championship belt. Only Pacquiao was pilloried for his political pronouncement. Only Pacquiao was belittled for what he believes. Just be a boxer, one critic said. A comment that summarized the elitist attitude against one who will never belong no matter how rich or exalted Pacquiao becomes. He will always be the unschooled runaway driven by poverty to boxing. Just a boxer.
As the weekend fades and the grind turns to survival and living, the applause fades and the accolades get muted. Athletes put away their championships and prepare for the next tournament, the next fight. True Filipinos will look forward to when their champion will fight again while those with heartfelt concerns will wish he retires now. No dragons are left to slay for one who has done more than his share. Still, the voices of those who hate Pacquiao’s politics will not be subdued nor be tempered. As a Duterte supporter, he, too, must be destroyed. Being a national treasure notwithstanding.
There is more appreciation expressed by those who see Pacquiao as a personification of excellence, as the embodiment of triumph against all odds, as an inspiration bar none. He has accomplished what is not possible, do what can not be done. To the downtrodden, those who were born without hope nor the wherewithal to better themselves, he will remain the dream that can come true. That yes, nothing is impossible.
He will one day, fade away and generations after may never see another one like him. Still, those who knew him will always remember and appreciate what he did for the Filipino, for the ordinary human being.
Pacquiao proud!
For always!
Source: Dan Jimenez