EXCLUSIVE from Hollywood, California – Christian music singer Helena Buscema has some great experiences to share about “inspiration” during her visits in the Philippines with boxer-actor-turned congressman, Manny Pacquaio. In her role as a vocal coach for Pacquiao, she had opportunities to closely observe the same “inspiration” with the Filipinos, especially in the remote villages of the southern part of the Philippines.
Question: What is your most memorable moment when you were in the Philippines?
Buscema’s testimony:
“I have been to the Philippines three times. I had a wonderful time observing and experiencing the culture of this beautiful place and met lovely people. In November of 2009 after Manny Pacquaio fought and won against Miguel Cotto, I had some vacation time to fill and Manny invited me to the Philippines. It was my first visit to the Philippines. Right off the plane we went to a press conference breakfast, luncheon, Manny sang at the Mall for television and there was a ?Victory Parade? through Manila. All of these activities were very animated and moving until we traveled to General Santos City.
During the ?Victory Parade? through the city. I was fortunate once again to travel in a car participating in the parade. One section of the parade route, hundreds of people poured out of their tin shingled roofed homes to greet their Hero. They were standing on the side of the road. Many motorcycles and jeepneys passed by my car extremely overloaded with passengers. People standing on top of truck and car hoods. As we passed through the city I noticed the extreme poverty but it didn’t matter at this moment to the people. They had exuberant spirits. Shouting how much they loved their Champion and congratulating him. They were filled with so much emotion! The smiles, tracks of tears on their faces and energies moved me to cry. My tears came from mixed moral sensitivities. Seeing all the poorness of this community and yet they were cheering and celebrating for this one person who brings them hope. It all became clear to me why Emmanuel D. Pacquiao is called ?The Peoples Champ!”
My most memorable moment was seeing a child carrying a poster. It was a campaign poster with a picture of Manny – with a slogan advertising “Pacman for Congress”. The thing was too big for him to carry. Yet he was running along the parade shouting Manny?s name, crying and smiling all the way. He had tripped and fallen at one point from the clumsiness of carrying the poster. His excitement picked him up and he continued his quest. I couldn?t contain my emotions watching him and cried even more.
This child represented the belief and hope in Manny Pacquiao the people of the Philippines possess. They trust he will make the changes needed to eliminate their poverty. Experiencing this helped me understand Manny’s quest to fight for his people and not just in the ring. He had his own struggles with being poor. Regarding his own poorness he once said in an article in the Sunday Times . “This is what drives me to be the champion I am for my people.? I truly believe him and glad I had that moment in my life.”
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