Unity has always been an issue for us Filipinos.
In my Social Studies classes in elementary and high school, I learned how we evolved into a nation from various tribes occupying the many islands of the archipelago.
In the Sociology classes in college, we learned how regionalism affects society?s growth and in Marketing and Advertising, we learned how to deal with such in order to accomplish our goals.
So, what will unite the Filipino people? Was it the New Society during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos? Or maybe the People Power Revolution in EDSA that catapulted President Corazon Aquino to power in 1986?
How about the Philippines 2000 of President Fidel Ramos? Or the Erap Jokes that made us remember President Joseph Estrada before his impeachment? Is it EDSA 2 that put President Gloria Arroyo in power in 2001?
To those who can recall, maybe ?That?s Entertainment? did it during the 1980s or how about the popular telenovela ?Marimar? in the 1990s?
As far as I can recall, if there is an event that would suddenly make us feel as one nation, it has something to do with sports.
Maybe I look at the world from a different standpoint, but during times of sporting milestones, the Filipinos have been consistent in coming together and forgetting all political, economic, and religious boundaries to root for our heroes.
My most vivid memory would be how everything seems to have stopped while the whole nation held its breath to watch Mansueto ?Onyok? Velasco, Jr. lose in the final of his boxing match in the Atlanta Olympics.
We were together to celebrate the victories of pool champion Efren ?Bata? Reyes, boxing champion Luisito Espinosa, and even golf champion Jennifer Rosales.
Boxing hero Manny Pacquaio may not be owner of any world title belt as of the moment, but his exploits in foreign soil have been well-followed by the Filipinos.
On Sunday, many of us would probably not have much to eat or may have very little shelter to protect us. There will be those who might not have much cover on their backs, but one thing is for sure, we will all be proud as a nation if Pacquiao will win.
More than stopping Erik Morales, Pacquaio has a higher goal and that is to unite our nation once again. Maybe our government can learn from sports.
Well, now this explains why many of our congressmen and other politicians are in Las Vegas to watch the bout.
