Mayor Tomas Osme?a did right in rejecting a proposal to declare Manny Pacquiao an adopted son of Cebu City. The Glan (Sarangani) native has brought honor to the country and joy to all Filipinos, no doubt about it, but rules are rules. If Pacquiao does not meet the criteria to become an “adopted son,” so be it. Let’s show our appreciation for what he achieved some other way.
Osme?a says he will invite Pacquiao as guest of honor during the Cebu City Charter Day celebration. That would be appropriate especially if you consider that this province produced one of the country’s greatest boxing champions in Flash Elorde.
Already, comparisons are being made between Pacman and The Flash. One must remember though that cable television wasn’t born yet during Elorde’s era so his triumphs weren’t as publicized as Pacquiao’s. Note also that compared to Pacman’s flamboyance (cockfighting and a very expensive sports car), Elorde lived a very sedate life.
Of course, Pacquiao has every right to live it up. He earned it and the road was not easy. As Rep. Eduardo Gullas noted in his resolution commending the boxer, Pacquiao’s victory required no less than utmost discipline, hard work and uncompromising spirit.
A grateful nation awaits his return. In him, we found a hero, someone who mirrored our plight (to quote Osme?a) and our aspirations. He deserves every accolade that he is getting.
I cannot however agree to the proposal to declare as a special non-working holiday the day of Pacman’s arrival. We can show our appreciation without going overboard. The resolution in the House of Representatives commending Pacquiao should be enough. A “Pacquiao Day” would be outrageous.
I can understand why many people, mostly politicians, are falling over themselves in paying homage to Pacquiao. They want to cash in on his popularity. That also explains why people like JV Ejercito are sulking, accusing the government of wasting money in funding the trip of public officials to Las Vegas.
If it is true that people’s money was used to finance the trips, then it must be condemned although I would like to point out that in past administrations, including that of JV’s father, public funds were also spent for far less worthy endeavors.
JV isn’t alone, though. Yesterday, I received an e-mail from a reader in France, wondering why we should be so overjoyed by the result of a boxing match. Luc Baranger is a Frenchman married to a Filipina doctor from Samar and has been to this country a number of times.
“Getting united because of a game? Filipinos are surprising,” Luc wrote. “And isn’t boxing one of the sports blacklisted by the Vatican?” Luc also asked if Filipinos aren’t being childish.
Well, at least, here we don’t burn hundreds of cars for no apparent reason.
