Casual Talk from Hollywood, California – If only Nonito ‘Jun-jun’ Donaire, Jr. being childless at 28 knows how it feels to be a father in all humility of a repentant prodigal son, perhaps he could be bigger than Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Dapidran Pacquiao.
Manny, regarded as the one of the greatest boxers of all time and recently elected as a representative for the 15th Congress of the Philippines by the lone district of Sarangani, is someone that Jun-jun would like to emulate.
Jun-jun has the requisite of a good speaker. Other than being so articulate, he has great theatrical skills as well. Though he can be sometimes a bit over-playful just as what he did when Elie Seckbach got hold of him for an interview at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles during the press conference whereby he was imitating Seckbach’s style of interviewing in a less appealing manner and possibly offensive to one’s modest sensibility, he is by far very personable. And he seems to enjoy speaking to the public, especially before the camera. He is charismatic and academically intelligent, in fact.
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But, of course, he still needs a good speech mentor, that if he is serious about marketing himself effectively outside of boxing. He has shown signs of interest to get into politics, if not in the Hollywood entertainment.
Let me tell you this: One cannot miss to talk about Jun-jun’s traits and character outside of the ring without somehow giving glory to Manny, whom he claims his idol. Unlike Jun-jun, Manny’s image is almost universal. In fact, Manny never harbors hatred toward his father; His father left home and denied responsible parenthood at Manny’s early age. In fact, Manny became a catalyst for forgivenesss, even now. And more, he does not uphold himself faultless, nor has he estranged his father when he reaches the pedestal of his career.By the way, Manny even acknowledges his detractors and his mistakes but continues to rise above the clouds of criticisms.
As for Jun-jun’s father, he only left his children to venture and to earn a living by gambling his own life in the firing lines. He was a soldier and a husband of a public school teacher. Both truly dedicated their lives nurturing their kids by keeping them intact and not depriving them basically of food on the table. Whatever expos? Anthony Andales had about Jun-jun’s family issues, one thing is certain is that Jun-jun may have misrepresented the true economic condition of his family in his days of youth.
Contrary to Jun-jun’s claim, Nonito Donaire, Sr.’s family was not really that poor. They had more than enough. His rags-to-riches story prematurely won’t sell at all to the public in general and to the media in particular .
With all due respect, Jun-jun’s anger toward his father and family should not last longer. If indeed his family has slighted him, now is the time for him to start defining forgiveness. Forgiveness gives up revenge and the desire for his father to be punished. And forgiveness empowers his will to succeed even more.
His father, whom I see as a silent praying warrior even in the midnight cry, is ready to accept him back into harmonious relationship in spite of injury.
Of course, Jun-jun can easily brush off an injury from a stranger rather quickly. It’s the injuries from those of his family members whom he cares about that really hurt. I still think that anger is really not bad. It is not, really. In fact, God has given man with the capacity to experience anger because anger , when it’s handled properly, motivates him to intervene to prevent abuse. What’s bad is losing one’s temper, lashing out, throwing a fit through other individuals.
I just hope Jun-jun would do himself a favor…breaking up toxic emotions that are destroying him, especially defining his aura through which his image is priced before the public eye.
Yes, I agree Jun-jun has more variety of skills and better intelligence and rather more entertaining style in the ring than Manny.
But, Manny has divine quality and fearlessness to do what is right for his parents that which Jun-jun could still have by repentance.
Though Jun-jun is stewing over a rather self-conceived emotional injury, I just hope in due time forgiveness will come.
One thing is certain, Jun-jun will not be charging, barking, snapping, and growling for injury once more. I am certain as well boxing fans and the affected ones will not back off from their expectations beyond ring performance and some may have the same reflections. Afterall, it is the persistence of one honoring his parents which makes his winning personality and divine fortitude necessary.
The Scripture from the book of Deuteronomy 5:16 says, “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you”.
Like his idol, let Jun-jun fight a good fight of faith. Of course, he can never equal the pattern. But, he can be brighter.
And let the healing begin.
