A prestigious Canadian magazine, in its 50th anniversary special edition, raised the possibility of Manny Pacquiao as being, perhaps “the world’s best athlete “.
At the same time some 13,000 kilometers away in Baguio city, an interview with the pound for pound king with a close friend unravels a not so remote reality of a Pacquiao presidency.
In its September cover story featuring the Filipino boxer, writer Blake Dillon said over past issues of their magazine (42.8 million readers and 10.2 million circulated copies to date) they have taken “some fairly in depth looks at the world of athletics.
Between our recurring Best athlete in the world segment and our
New! Bigger? Stronger? Section, Chill has plunged deep in to the sports underworld. The thing is, we’ve only looked at the general
makeup of athletes in respect to their sports..not specific names or faces “ Dillion wrote.
But he explained “and we haven’s really had reason to. But 32-year
old Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has given us the rationale to have a change of heart, as it can easily be argued that he FITS THE MOLD OF EARTH’S BEST ATHLETE “.
He based his observation on Manny’s fight record but reasoned out “ it is obvious that somewhere in his 5”6 frames rest the age-old genetic ingredient for athletic supremacy “.
Dillon described Manny’s rise to fame in the boxing world, first from poverty to being the super boxer of today who is “ generating
an excitement that has been relatively absent from the ring since the decline of Mike Tyson and the rise of UFC “.
A DEMIGOD ? Francisco Valcarcel, president of the World Boxing Organization or WBO in the same article was quoted as
saying “: when you talk about Manny, you’re talking about big crowds, huge money and a fighter that everybody wants to see”
Dillon also said in the Philippines “you’re talking about a demigod. An idol. An obsession. And perhaps having an entire country behind you is the drive that one needs to leap from good to great “.
BOXING’ SAVIOUR ? Valcarcel also said Manny keeps boxing alive “ but Dillon also offered a prediction that Pacquiao’s scheduled fight in November 12 against Mexican Juan Marquez
could be Manny’s “ last stand, so to speak, for the boxer to show the athletic world what he’s exactly made of and it could be the last chance for the athletic world to witness the marvel that is Manny Pacquiao “.
PRESIDENT PACQUIAO ? My long time friend Manny Pinol, former North Cotabato governor and veteran sportswriter (and who helped launched many Pacquiao’s career) said he sees a Pacquiao presidency on the horizon in the same way that Joseph Erap Estrada ascended to the top political post.
He joined Pacquiao last September 26 in Baguio city for an interview with the champ and to deliver his ward, the undefeated featherweight Lorenzo Villanueva to his new coach Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s famous trainer.
But the comparison stops there. A Pacquiao presidency, if it ever occurs, would be conservative and populist according to Pinol.
It’s an open secret that Pacman had given out millions to poor people..bancas or fishing boats to fishing families, carabaos to farmers, computers to schools and is currently building a hospital
In Sarangani province with the help of President P-noy but without
getting any loan. He is known to have spent even his own money in his own television show “Manny, Many Many prizes “ which truly reflects his pro-poor leaning and according to Pinol “his simple views on fiscal management “.
“Political pundits should start considering Pacquiao seriously. While no one in Philippine politics now could equal the mass support for Joseph Estrada in 1998 (when he handily won the presidency by a big margin), the great unshod may yet again show their rebellion against the elite and the establishment by voting one of their own “ said Pinol.
Because he is not qualified to run for the vice presidency in 2016,
Pinol concluded that the champion might wait for 2022 and retire from boxing and when this happens, Pacquiao “would certainly be a serious contender for the presidency in 2022 “.
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MILESTONES AND EVENTS: birthday greetings are in order for
September celebrants Carla Felix (sept.1), Lilet Felix (sept.19) and Charmaine Felix (Sept.29).
Emiline Cruz returns to the concert circuit after a hiatus of
several years. Titled “One More Time “her comeback performances will be held on October 28 at the Rembrandt banquet hall. Showtime starts at 7:30pm.
