A statue of Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, either at the Bacolod plaza or at the Bacolod City Government Center, is being proposed by Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella.
Puentevella yesterday said he had considered this idea when he was yet a congressman but Congress and the Senate did not see the wisdom of putting up one.
The Senate and Congress did not allocate money because probably, they did not realize the extent of the honor Pacquiao has given to his country, he said.
With the victory of Pacquiao against Timothy Bradley, it is but fitting to revive his idea of putting up a statue in honor of a great Filipino boxer who happens to be an adopted son of Bacolod, Puentevella said.
“I have covered 16 boxing matches of my pareng Manny and he deserves to be honored. For now, we will let Bacolod put up a statue in honor of him,? he said.
Puentevella said Pacquiao is the one of the most talented Filipinos who brought honor to Bacolod.
?He is the most famous Filipino today in the face of the earth,? he said adding that even the NBA superstars want to have their photos taken with him.
?So, while he is still alive, I want to put up a statue for this friend of mine. A statue that will commemorate his achievements in the field of boxing,? Puentevella said.
Puentevella said basketball star Michael Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, who is the main actor of the movie “Rocky,” have their own statues in America.
He has asked the artists to present their proposal since the city will fund the creation of a statue in honor of Manny Pacquaio, he said.
He will create a task force to hasten the realization of this proposal and to determine where to put the statue, Puentevella said. He wants it either placed at the government center or the Bacolod plaza, he said and that he will consult the matter with the National Historical Commission first.
?Vice President Jejomar Binay could have done this in Makati but no one answered the call. So let us start in Bacolod. The moment we start here, other cities will follow,? Puentevella added.
On the other hand, Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Mara?on Jr. said the victory of Pacquiao over Timothy Bradley shows that boxing is a sport Filipinos can excel in, that is why the Negros Occidental provincial government will continue to push its boxing program.
Pacquiao?s victory in Las Vegas was also a victory for the Filipino people, it showcased the resiliency of the Filipino, he said.
?Boxing is a sport Filipinos can excel in, we should not have ambitions for basketball that requires tall players,? Mara?on said.
In boxing what is required is strength, he said.
?We are pushing for the development of boxing,? Mara?on said, noting that many boxers have come from Bago, Candoni and La Carlota.
Meanwhile, there is however, something that may block Puentevella?s plan to gain the appreciation of Pacquiao. A Philippine law prohibits the building of memorials such as statues for people who are still alive.*CGS
