Philippines, 05 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


LIKE JOSE RIZAL, MANNY PACQUIAO WILL BE REVERED AND REMEMBERED BY FILIPINOS 100 YEARS FROM NOW


PhilBoxing.com




(This column was posted Dec. 1, 2008. I am reposting it again for the benefit of those who were not able to read it.)

One hundred years from now when our faces will just be faint images in the memories of our great great grandchildren and our names will just be alphabetical inscriptions in our moss-covered tombstones, Filipinos will remember Manny Pacquiao just as our generation recall and glorify the heroism of Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado.

The Rizalists may exclaim: "Blasphemy!" They would have every right to complain if Manny Pacquiao were compared to Jose Rizal in the context of the national hero's ultimate sacrifice -- dying for the his country and people.

Indeed, they are two contrasting personas.

Rizal came from a rich family which showered him with love and support. Pacquiao was a street kid who was abandoned by his father as a young boy and who had to struggle to survive in the concrete jungles of the Big City.

Rizal was highly educated while Pacquiao is still struggling to earn a college degree. The hero was a literary genius whose writings in Spanish have been translated to many languages; the boxing icon has just written his first column in English and the experts are still trying to dissect his grammar.

The national hero sacrificed not because somebody was paying him or he was expecting anything in return. He did it out of his love for country. The boxing hero trains hard and fights because there are promoters who are willing to pay him millions of dollars.

In the face of these gaping differences, why am I saying that Manny Pacquiao will be remembered like Jose Rizal 100 years from now?

It is because of the impact of both men on the lives of the Filipino people and the country as a whole. It is because they came into being and lived during the most trying times of our country's history and somehow provided hope, comfort and inspiration to a suffering people.

Jose Rizal walked the earth and enlightened the minds of the Filipinos who were held in bondage and subservience by the Spaniards for 300 years. His death inspired a revolution that eventually gave birth to our nation.

Manny Pacquiao came into the public conciousness at a time when the Filipinos are looking down at themselves, even laughing at themselves. He came at a time when his countrymen seem hopeless in the face of massive corruption in public service and unprecedented degree of condescension and mistrust on government.

Pacquiao's public display of love and respect to a father who abandoned him as a young boy is a life drama that every Filipino would like to be replayed time and again. His obedience to his mother and concern for his siblings; his efforts to keep his family intact in spite of his publicly-known escapades; his humility and willingness to forgive those who have wronged him make every Filipino proud that he is a Filipino.

Pacquiao came at a time when the nation is fractious and with the magic of his fists, aptly called "Pambansang Kamao," unites Filipinos from all walks of life, from difrferent time zones and from divergent political persuasions.

(Even a lawyer of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a rebel group which has tagged me as their No. 1 enemy, shook my hand and told me: "We may be on different sides, but we are one with you in supporting Manny Pacquiao.")

Such is the magic of Manny Pacquiao that qualifies him to be a hero of this generation. Not only does he stand out now as the greatest, and richest, Filipino athlete of all time, he will be remembered as the street kid and a child abandoned who survived amidst the adversity to rise and become the best example of the indomitable spirit of the Filipino.

On Dec. 6, for Filipinos all over the world, time will stand still, as they once again will witness the most inspiring spectacle of their lifetime.

The result of the fight will not matter. Win or lose, Manny Pacquiao has already been raised in the pedestal of inspiration by the Filipino people.

From Las Vegas, Nevada to the four corners of the world, Filipinos will shout until their voice is hoarse: "P A C Q U I A O O O O! P A C Q U I A O O O O! P A C Q U I A O O O O!

That sound will reverberate in history and will still be heard by Filipinos 100 years from now.

Artwork by Pacland's Dung Markus.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Manny Piñol.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • WEIGHTS FROM MANCHESTER: CATTERALL - 146.5 LBS., EUBANK - 146.5 LBS.
    , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • Vincent Astrolabio in LA training alongside Manny Pacquiao
    By Ace Freeman, , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • Jason Sanchez Upsets Previously Undefeated Julian Gonzalez in Philly
    , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • Meatball Launches Boxing Career With Matchroom
    , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • The Queens of Philippine Boxing are Training in Cebu
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Raising the Game: Jean Henri Lhuillier’s Unmatched Impact on Philippine Tennis
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • GM Eugene Torre to grace the Asenso Ozamis Open Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • The Second Rise of Jesse Espinas
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Golden Age Comparison - Philippines and Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Kittipong, Magdalena, Kim, Kritiphak Claim Wins in Brico Santig's Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Kremlev, Crawford, Fury Launch IBA's Golden Era of International Boxing
    , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • International Master Angelo Young stays on course for GM norm
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Robby Gonzales and Yoseline Perez Progress to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Fireworks Ahead: Magsayo vs Mata in Prelims of Pacquiao vs Barrios
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Japan's Boxing Golden Age Remains Limited to the Lower Weights
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • No issues with fight ref
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Borromeo Leads Winners of the Philippine Speedcubing Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • What If Pacquiao Defeats Barrios?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Team USA Earns Three Wins on Day Two of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.