Riding on Pacquiaos' Current Predicament

Last night was a rare occurrence when we as siblings were seated in our living room. There was my eldest sister and her three kids, my eldest brother, me and my Bojo, Jay-Ar and Ejay. Ave was not there since she was living with our Aunt and Lola in a separate house. Mom and Dad were out for their praying meeting with their co-Couples for Christ.

Though we were gathered altogether we were all pre-occupied of our different activities ~ Ate was attending to her kids, Kuya was watching the news, I was playing with Bojo, Jay-Ar was busy texting someone and Ejay was taking his early dinner. At one point though we had a unified glance in our television set ~ the news was about the alleged transfer of Manny Pacquiao to ABS-CBN from GMA 7. Mel Tiangco was anchoring the statement of GMA 7 on this alleged transfer.

Immediately after the news, my eldest bro said “Hala, lagot ka Pacquiao!”. I replied on his statement saying that “Yes, lagot si Pacquiao. Call it mean, but I want him to lose his fight with Hatton ~ I don’t want to give him a graceful exit in the boxing world with all these things that’s going on with him” (I actually just repeated my earlier statements to my team members in the office and my dear friend Yeth in our dinner date).

My statement is harsh I know but I thought this is better said (or written). I don’t have anything against Pacquiao. I am actually a fan; I regularly watch his fights cheering for him and I believe that he has brought so much pride to our country in winning all his bouts. I love his success story as a poor guy who earned his niche in the sports he is very talented of. However, I can’t hide my dismay as to how his winnings, his much-enjoyed fame and his countless moneys have changed his and his family’s lifestyle and habits. I kept on shaking my head when the 1M -worth baptism of his youngest child was covered by media, complete with all the personalities from showbiz and politics worlds as the child’s godparents (How many were they in total? Sorry, I forgot). I can’t help but utter my “tsk tsk” when his wife was interviewed about her shopping experience in Hollywood and it even came to a point that all her outfits were priced. Double the “tsk tsk” when she broadcasted her plastic surgeries done by the most controversial beauty surgeon in the country (need not mention, you know who she is!).

I know that there’s nothing wrong in reaping the fruits of your hard works ~ and I am clearly an advocate of this maxim. However, I also believe that we must always put limitations in all our splurges and we must always be on-the-guard of the possible downfalls and opportunists that may take advantage. Take Pacquiao’s case. How sure are we that his politician supporters are there to just support him in getting honors for the country and will not take advantage of his popularity in their own political campaigns? Some of them even convinced Manny to run in a congressional seat in his province (and willingly gave their unsolicited support). How sure are we that his allies from showbiz aren’t just riding to his mass appeal to gain TV ratings? Okay okay, Manny is in Totoy Bato, my current favorite show (because of Regine Velasquez, of course!) but his only exposure was during the first week of the show’s airing. His short exposure didn’t help in the rating game!

This may sound bias since I am a GMA 7 fan… but his decision to transfer to ABS-CBN was really unethical. There were reports that Manny decided to re-join ABS because of the station’s offer of full-media coverage on his congressional candidacy by 2010. The same journalist also mentioned that Manny favored ABS because of its TV dominance in Saranggani (Manny’s hometown) and the opportunity for more exposure since ABS has international media partners and reporters. But as GMA 7 said, they are trying their best to offer the best deals for Manny ~ boxing clinics all over the country, two television shows on top of his current two, concerts in the US and in Canada ~ as soon as his schedule allows (again, as soon as his schedule allows!). It was clearly disappointing that because of an offer to provide exposure for a sure win in his political ambition, Manny has ditched his ties with GMA 7 as easy as that. Good that the network will not take this down sitting ~ they have plans of enforcing the stipulations of Manny’s exclusive contract with them should he not recall his decision to transfer to ABS. Not to mention that his contract with Solar Sports to cover his fight with Hatton and his future bouts till 2011 also exists. Ayan, lagot na nga si Pacquiao!

My next question and again sorry for being harsh ~ this isn’t the first time that Manny will face a suit on non-conformance to his contracts. He previously had problems with his boxing fight promoters. Now tell me, how would you elect someone to be a lawmaker who to me, doesn’t even understand his own contracts’ stipulations? Were has his politician advisers, ninongs and padrinos been? Can you not explain to Manny the repercussions of his thoughts and decisions? Or maybe again, I’m calling on the wrong persons… again, they were just after the “ride” to the People Champ’s popularity.

Now to Manny, there is still time to ponder. I know you’re good and are working hard to give your family a better life and your county more honors. Think about your next moves... weigh the risks… know your limitations… for sure, you’re wise enough to figure this out. You are already our hero. And the Philippines will surely honor you more if you’ll just be the Manny Pacquiao we admired from before ~ simple but brave, tenacious and a fighter with a big heart!