Mt. Hollywood Hiking Trail at Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA – The sun was about 45 degrees teasing the deep ridge by Hollywood sign with the less hazy skies right above across the hills. At least, that’s what I saw where I made my visit this 8:30 a.m. And no thickening clouds were seen, not even a transient sweeping trace of atmospheric smog, perfecting 65 degrees fahrenheit, at least for now. And the familiar whistle of blue jays that penetrated the thin air somewhere around was such the welcoming one just when I arrived at the parking lot of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, about four miles from my residence. And I felt refreshed by the Spring breeze and familiar perfumes from the flower beds and Eucalyptus trees.What was more familiar was the usual throng there that unfailingly always gave Manny Pacquiao, the most influential pugilist of the earth today, the warm reception and admiration he needs of his most challenging segment of preparation for this June 9 encounter against undefeated light welterweight champion, Timothy Bradley, who is currently deep in his training up in Indio, about 75 miles away from Pacquiao’s rallying point, the Charles Turner’s landmark of Hollywood.
Nonetheless, another mark of old that still lingered was the usual goffing around by some of the rambunctious, less informed disciples and sycophants, otherwise known as the L.A. Boys who are Filipinos but non-Cebuano-speaking ones, even in the midst of interviews seemingly disturbing and somewhat exhibiting classic hangover behavior, and, worse, with cheap shots of boisterous jokes, as if suffering with attention deficit disorder.
But, it’s calming, in fact, seeing same faces from Team Pacquiao, except a new one, though unconfirmed as I was only told, who is Pacquiao’s brother-in-law. Pacquiao had just finished his morning jog. My good friend, Chino Trinidad of GMA-7 from the Philippines has just started his live interview with Pacquiao, in his white sweat shirt printed with green letters that read “FIGHT FOR A BETTER WORLD”, and red short pants (both of which with MP sign), by Team Pacquiao’s SUV, while my wife, Mary Jane, was also filming the same scene, just for fun, at a considerable distance, not intending to disrupt what’s taking place at such moment. Behind the crowd, I got hold of Pacquiao’s friend, Brian Livingston, the Manager of Nike Outlet here in Los Angeles, who was with Pacquiao in Baguio City serving voluntarily as Pacquiao’s jogging partner.
Livingston, a professional marathoner and a philosopher in his own right, said how amazed he is at what’s going on with Pacquiao.
Asked about his assessment of his recent journey to the Philippines, Livingston said: “Journey is a great word. It was 21 days in the Philippines. It was a great training camp, in that not only we were able to get Manny started but it was just great personally for me because I was able to meet so many new people. And even I got stronger connection to boxing myself by training there and starting my own little regimen.”
Livingston spent longer runs with Pacquiao every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and shorter ones on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays just to loosen up – days when Pacquiao would have his sparring sessions dealt.
Livingston thought Baguio a little bit cooler obviously than in Los Angeles this time because of the elevation. The air is also cleaner and really pretty nice and it was pretty nice because we went up there very early in the morning, he added.
Livingston said, “There were a few times where he cramped up. But, we’ve been trying some new things such as trigger-point device, massage and rolling out using the same trigger-point device, which all seem to help.”
“Manny is also a little bit more mature in the way he’s approaching his training, progressively working into a run, rather than starting out really fast and cramping.”
Livington continued: “There might be a nutritional element and that’s probably be the last frontier that needs to be approach. And, then, I think there’s a mental aspect as well that needs to be explored. I think when you get into your head that you will have cramps, that you gonna get tired. And it comes to your senses often. It makes it that much easier every subsequent time when its gets even worse. So, I think there’s that mental aspect. God willing, Manny didn’t cramp today. The less that happens, the more confident he becomes in his training. I think we can the issue of cramps to rest.”
“I think he said it best that he wants to have a strong spirit in connection to his strong body. He’s really focused on his biblical study, to really feed and to really nourish his spirit. That’s the biggest change I’ve seen when it comes to his enthusiasm. He’s really tying his spiritual growth to the spiritual growth of his performance.”
Livingston, who claims himself a Christian, says he participates in bible studies with Manny and would still love to do it, mostly because he is interested how that translates into performance.
“I think it’s ureally important that you have that time to medidate and really get connected to yourself that is authentic to you,” said Livingston.
Livingston said he believes what Pacquiao said to everyone: “It’s not about church, it’s not about religion. It’s about your connection to Jesus Christ.”
“And that’s what my mission is in all my bible studies,” Livingston added.
“You cannot win a fight just by your body; you need the spirit.”
Livingston said he sees further the much deeper dimension of Pacquiao: “He does not jog with the headphones anymore and just shut the world around him. He is more receptive.He communes with nature. He is genuinely charismatic.”
