Manny Pacquiao: The Hero of the Squared Circle
Crime rate must have plummeted again when the fight was happening. Most social media sites (like twitter and plurk) must have experienced a flood of Pacquiao statements. Masses at churches were half filled. A number of people spent a great deal amount of money to watch the match. There were politicians and celebrities who made the trip to the US just to see the fight. And a great deal more waited for the delayed telecast or were monitoring things on the Internet. And even my mother became a boxing analyst: Saying the virtues and strategems of Pacman.
Another Pacquiao Sunday here in the Philippines.
In Rome, the citizens were kept content by bread and circuses: food and entertainment. Is it the same case today. And would Pacquiao the Pugilist be the hero we need to entertain us and make us proud?
He does have a lot of admirers in and out of the country - Be they Filipinos or not.
Is Pacquiao the hero who brought glory to country and is deserving of a Triumph. In Ancient Rome a victorious General or Hero would be honored with a Triumph - a parade inside the city of Rome. An ancient ticker parade of sorts. With a difference usually the vanquished opponent is paraded and shamed also before being strangled. The spoils of war would also be on displayed.
In the case of Pacquiao would there be a Triumph of sorts? Most probably a ticker parade through the streets of Metro Manila and in his home province. But more important than that his skills in the squared circle had earned him the respect of his countrymen whatever side the political fence one may be or inclined to go to.
It is an admiration that people take to amidst the barren and salted field of politics. There is no politician the people can take to and admire. Well there maybe one or even two but not as distinct and easily recognized as Pacquiao, whose renown is earned because of his boxing skills.
A modern day Gladiator. A champion for our time. A Hero?
Perhaps … a boxing hero.
We need heroes. And in terms of skills and hardwork Pacquiao earned it.
Politics is another matter. Politics has a way of staining and even destroying the hero. Pacquiao the Boxer is different from Pacquiao the Politician.
