MANILA, Philippines — These days, Manny Pacquiao finds it more difficult to earn votes than to land a punch.
But just like in his bouts, the people?s champ takes adversity in stride.
?Sport lang ako (I?m a good sport),? Pacquiao says, minutes after signing a manifesto for peaceful elections with Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, the boxing idol?s toughest competitor for the congressional seat of the General Santos City-South Cotabato district.
?Parang sa sports, kahit magkasakitan kami, pagkatapos okay na (In sports, we might hurt each other, but afterward we?re OK),? he adds.
Just like Pacquiao, professional basketball coach for the Red Bull Barako Yeng Guiao has brought in the same competitive mind-set on the electoral trail.
?What helps is the mentality that?s been cultivated in the realm of sports,? says Guiao, who?s running for reelection as vice governor of Pampanga.
?It trains you to handle situations in the political field. If you win, you win. If you lose, you lose. But there?s another time to get your act together, to strategize. You watch your opponents? strengths and weaknesses. It?s the same principle, only in a different field. It helps a lot, it?s an advantage,? he says.
Help the poor
Perhaps it is this reason that draws the likes of Pacquiao to momentarily trade in his shiny World Boxing Council International super featherweight belt for a plain, blue campaign vest.
?I like to help the poor in my province,? Pacquiao says.
Even Jerry Codi?era, named one of the 25 All-Time Best Players in the pro league, has joined the political fray as a nominee of Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), a party-list group that advocates sports development and the welfare of national athletes.
?Honestly, many politicians have invited me way back,? Codi?era says. ?But when a friend conceptualized putting up a party-list for athletes, I could not say no. I have relatives and friends who don?t like the idea. But it?s for the welfare of the athletes. I don?t want to think it?s [just for] politics.?
This early, Codi?era is reminded of the pressure of his numerous on-court championship battles.
?You have to deliver,? he says. ?The pressure to deliver is too much, just like in sports. As a player, you train with the best coach, get the best equipment and make use of what you have. Here, you also have to prepare, have the right logistics. And if you have limited budget, you work double time. ?
Adrenaline rush
Guiao agrees that the election period gives him an adrenaline rush.
?Playing for the championship and waiting for the results of the elections, it?s the same excitement and thrill,? he notes.
The campaign, though, can be physically demanding even for the fittest of athletes and coaches.
Just days after knocking out Mexican Jorge Solis in San Antonio, Texas last weekend, Pacquiao wasted no time pounding the pavement.
No timeout
Codi?era and Guiao, too, have taken no timeout from basketball.
?I practice with the team in the morning, then campaign in the afternoon,? says Codi?era, a member of the Air 21 coaching staff.
?We try to cover as many places as we can. It?s so taxing. We have a caucus or a rally and we tell people that we?re another option. Other party-lists may be redundant, but we?re an option exclusively for sports. We have to deliver the basic goods and services for the athletes. And I?m happy with the response. I?m surprised that people still recognize me,? he says.
Playing politics
Guiao also sees no problem dividing his time between his team and his constituents.
?My coaching staff has been a big help, they make my job a lot easier,? he says. ?The system is in place. The players also have a lot of respect for the coaching staff. I practice with the team in the morning, then from the gym I travel for over an hour to San Fernando.?
But for political rookies like Pacquiao and Codi?era, there?s more to worry about than just the physical stress.
?They question our abilities,? notes Codi?era. ?But look at Manny, you have to respect his wisdom in getting good people around him. I?m also not saying that I understand everything. But as an athlete, I know the primary concerns of our athletes and coaches.?
Leave it to faith
Pacquiao, too, has decided to roll with the punches every time people criticize him for entering the political arena.
?It?s the people who will decide and choose…the leader who can give progress to our district,? the charismatic 28-year-old hero says.
Like in their battles on the court and inside the ring, these athletes and coaches hold on to their faith.
As Pacquiao puts it: ?Dasal na lang sa Panginoon (Let?s just pray to God).?
