The Pacquiao Phenomenon in the Philippines - Research Paper Example

9 May The Pacquiao Phenomenon in the Philippines Introduction The whole country is abuzz talking about what they consider as the big fight, even months before the big day itself. Big named politicians, wealthy scions and socialites scramble just to get live seats for every bout that he is engaged in. Everyday, you can see children in the streets, imitating his powerful jabs, while the adults would never have nothing to say when the topic is about him. Newspapers, magazines, and the television, both local and international, would frequently be filled with stories about him, ranging from daily news regarding his training to his very public personal life. The military even once announced a ceasefire against a rebel group just so they could watch a fight of his. Also, it has already been a running joke among the locals that no crime is committed during the day of his fight since all the crooks and thieves would be watching as well. This is quite true in a way because during every match of his, the crime rate for that day drops enormously. Furthermore, he is very much loved and revered in the Philippines, to the point that a movie was even made about his life. On the day of each fight, people who would not have the opportunity to watch him live would either flock into the cinemas, restaurants, and bars just to catch a glimpse of his boxing prowess. Even public gyms and halls in all towns and cities are turned to theatre cinemas, the government obviously making sure that everyone would not miss such a monumental event. While the fight is ongoing, the streets would closely resemble a ghost town since everyone is basically glued to a computer, television, theatre, or white screen, watching and scrutinizing every move that he makes inside the ring. In the country, every punch that he connects against the opponent is greeted with wild shrieks and shouts of approval from his countrymen. And when the fight is won, the country would be in a very festive mood, talking about the match, even weeks after it has happened. Every time he arrives home to his beloved Philippines after a fight, he is greeted with a heroes welcome. Even the President has to have a photo-op with him. He would parade around towns and cities, and his presence would be greeted with resounding approval from each and every citizen. Back at his hometown, people would flock outside his mansion, waiting for “balato” or money from his earnings. Being a kind hearted and generous person, he would gladly give to his fellow countrymen (Torre, “Political Punch”). Every person definitely wants to have a piece of him. This proud Filipino and future boxing hall of famer has graced numerous magazine covers, advertised foreign and local products, gained accolades for his remarkable boxing talent, and is currently holding the position of congressman in the Philippine legislature. This contemporary phenomenon is no other than Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. Pacquiao: The Life of a Champion Boxing is not a career that people would normally take in the Philippines because in the country, boxers would normally start poor, gain money and fame, and exit in the same condition as they started. Manny was born in a life that was mired in poverty. His father having abandoned them, his mother had to singlehandedly support the whole family, taking on odd jobs, which barely amounted to enough money to support all the Pacquiao siblings. At an early age, Manny had to take on jobs, selling food and bread on the streets while studying, just to help in the household expenses. At the age of 14, he secretly left General Santos, his hometown, for Manila, the capital of the Philippines. In Manila, he continued working and eventually started his boxing career (Chua-Eoan and Tharoor, “The Meaning and Mythos of Manny Pacquiao”). That was way back. He currently holds eight tittles in different divisions. Nowadays, Manny is considered as one of the wealthiest and most influential people in the world, even making it to the Forbes Magazine Top 500 list, Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, and hailed as Fighter of the Decade by the Boxing Writers Association of America. He is also quite the politician being the current congressional representative of Sarangani. Despite all the success, he never failed to acknowledge the relevance of his mother and family as those who very much influenced and molded him to who he is today. A very prayerful and God-fearing individual, Manny would never fail to recognize and thank God for all the success that he has, and is still accomplishing. Manny Pacquiao: Phenomenon to the Filipino Public Manny Pacquiao has a power that few people, if any throughout the world, possess. When the Filipino fights, men in the Philippines stop fighting (Samuelson, “Pacquiao’s Fights Provide Peace in Philippines”). This is not an exaggerated statement at all. On the day of his match, every Filipino around the world will just drop everything and glue their gaze towards the television. In the Philippines, the atmosphere changes dramatically and suddenly from its usual and ordinary days. Normally in Manila, the capital and largest city of the Philippines, traffic jams and vehicle-congested roads are some of the common nuisances that most average Filipinos get by everyday with either apathy or annoyance, sometimes with the occasional road accidents. Also, crime is rampant in almost every corner of the city in a nearly daily basis. This can be as little as pick pocketing to as severe as drug trafficking or even murder, with the police sometimes being a little too rough than needed. Of course, there is also a never ending stream of political problems being tossed around left and right, up and down, as new cases of political corruption and fraud are aired on the local news media. Sometimes, opposition groups would protest to the streets expressing their frustrations to a government they feel has been dysfunctional. Then, to some distant province either in the northern mountains and central plains of Luzon, and the southern islands of Mindanao, the country must deal with rebel guerilla elements battling for their own political agendas. On the northern mountains and central plains of Luzon are the communist rebels, and at the southern island of Mindanao are the Muslim separatist guerillas in which the government forces have been dealing with for decades. However, whenever the day comes for the Manny Pacquiao fight, the normal and usual life all over the Philippines just flips over. Terrible road traffics virtually become non-existent, crime rates drop to nearly no activity on the day of the fight, and conflict between government forces and rebel groups just literally and immediately ceases. “I told them that if that can be the reason the guns will be silent in my country, I can fight every day — just for them,” said Pacquiao, who has been told by high-ranking military officials that during his boxing matches hostile guerillas and the army call a truce (Samuelson). It is the charisma and simple goodness of heart that Manny Pacquiao expresses and shares that has really grabbed the attention of the Filipino people and polarized a nation’s attention to him and his fights. They forget their hardships; forget their struggles among each other in just that one day. They want to cheer for their hero, who is not just fighting for his family and the pride of boxing, but also for their peaceful welfare. “People love Manny, they just want to be close to him,” says Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach. “Just to touch him, makes their day” (Samuelson). Millions of Filipinos want to reach out to him because he understands what many of them are going through, which is poverty. Manny Pacquiao is a hero to them because he climbed his way up through sheer warrior-like determination, hard work, and yet still is the humblest guy around. The average Filipino can relate to Manny Pacquiao in many things. For one, Manny Pacquiao is a man of prayer, who normally prays before every match in his corner. Majority of the Filipino people are Roman Catholic or Protestant Christians, and it is for many of them to see that their champion still takes some time to pray to the same God they pray to as well. He not only gets the respect of his people, but even their prayers. Even the Filipino Muslims from southern islands of Mindanao have great admiration for Manny Pacquiao. This of course, leads to such temporary yet significant ceasefires. Both Catholics and Muslims are Pac-Man fans. When he fights, the streets empty, the crime rate plummets and the government grinds to a halt (Torre). The average Filipino can also relate to Manny Pacquiao because of his back story. Basically, having started out from the hardships of poverty is a life majority of Filipinos in the Philippines are all too familiar with. Most of the people living in the Philippines live barely within the minimum wage standards. Manny Pacquiao was from that way of life many years back. As Bob Arum puts it, "He came from an impoverished background. He experienced hunger and poverty on the streets of Manila so he has seen it all (Samuelson). And then he rose above poverty, but he never ever forgot that part of his life. He never closed his home to people less fortunate from him in his hometown of General Santos, and he does not give a blind eye when his countrymen were in trouble. It was said that he offers up other charities, spending hours at a time passing out food and money in front of his mansion to strangers he's never met (Samuelson). Another effect Manny Pacquio has to the Philippines is the political impact he has on the country. Now, as the current congressional representative of his home district of General Santos, Manny Pacquiao has been stepping as a model for selfless leadership and character towards his countrymen, which is a sort of character not found commonly in Philippine politics these days. At first bid for the congress, he did not make it because the lack of votes and support. But, unlike other unsuccessful candidates who never got the position by the same cause, Manny Pacquiao’s first political setback was with good intention. Normally, the majority of Filipino voters would vote on a candidate who is influential, popular or rich, yet at the same time knowing that Philippine politics is such an ethically dirty practice. Ramon Casiple, a prominent political analyst and reform advocate, says Filipinos know that model too well to want it from their hero. "They don't want him to run, to dirty himself and open himself to charges of corruption" (Chua-Eoan and Tharoor). This is not the typical habit of Filipino voters, as most of the time they are not mindful on the results of their candidates’ victory or loss. However, Manny Pacquiao did eventually win and become a congressman, which he tries his best to show that true leadership is by selfless example, not merely by the typical political trend in the Philippines through patronage, power-playing or corruption. Conclusion As Manny Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, points out, "Manny is one of the few athletes who have raised themselves up and made a success and yet not run away from the poverty but have embraced it and tried to help others. That's why he is such a compelling figure." (Samuelson). Manny Pacquiao is an inspiration to Filipinos everywhere. Even some of his foes respect his good sportsmanship and humble character. Some people believe he could be the model leader for change someday in the future of the Philippines. With iron-will determination, a humble heart, and a selfless spirit, perhaps this “Fighting Congressman” may be the polarizing change maker the Filipinos need. Works Cited Chua-Eoan, Howard and Tharoor, Ishaan. “The Meaning and Mythos of Manny Pacquiao.” . Illinois U, Time Inc., 16 Nov. 2009. Web. 6 May 2011. Samuelson, Andy. “Pacquiao’s Fights Provide Peace in Philippines.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun, 2 May 2009. Web. 6 May 2011. Torre, Pablo S. “Political Punch.” . Illinois U, Sports Illustrated, 8 Dec. 2008. Web. 6 May 2011. Read More