THERE was something in that Manny Pacquiao fight that only my brother Ismael and I noticed. A die-hard pugilist fan since high school, he would hang around Flash Elorde?s gym in San Juan, where we grew up, to watch the legendary champion train. I think it was Ismael and an ex-beau of mine who dragged me to see Flash Elorde pummel and knock out a foreign boxer (Mexican, I think) at the Araneta Coliseum, or was it the Rizal Memorial? I have had a mental block since then so I don?t remember; Elorde won but it was nonetheless a frightful experience. Today, I can only watch snippets of this bloody sport on screen and through half-closed eyes. As always, Ismael has a way of saving in his memory file multitudinous details about Filipino champion fighters; he can rattle off titles defended and lost, weight and height, strengths and weaknesses, scores and records, even types of punches. That is why I was surprised that my brother had time to notice the only detail of the Pacquiao/Morales fight that to me was worth remembering.
Here it is: The enormous delegation of Filipino politicians, assorted businessmen, sports enthusiasts, media personalities were led by no less than the First Gentleman. They were at ring side, in full force, showering adulation on Manny Pacquiao who exuded confidence. Someone was rabid enough to paint “Pacman” on the Filipino flag, defacing the national symbol, in blatant violation of the Flag Law. All through the fight they were shouting MANNY, MANNY, MANNY. The Mexicans (also with their share of elected officials) were rooting for Erik “El Terrible” Morales. They cheered wildly and passionately in true latino style but, they were not hollering ERIK, ERIK, ERIK or MORALES, MORALES, MORALES. They were shouting MEXICO! MEXICO!! MEXICO!!! It did not occur to any Filipino, not to a single congressman, not even to the husband of the Philippine president to cheer FILIPINAS! FILIPINAS!! FILIPINAS!!! My brother Ismael concluded that we Filipinos have no sense of country; sadly, I think he is right.
Last Monday, I was at Mayor Oscar Rodriguez?s office in San Fernando, Pampanga so I asked him if he had seen the Manny Pacquiao fight. When he answered in the affirmative, I told him my “no sense of country” story. He was pensive for a few seconds after which he said I was right, we do lack a “sense of country.” I somehow connected the “no sense of country” to heritage conservation, as evidence of our weak national identity which can be strengthened by the preservation of our national patrimony. I had been invited to represent the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) at a city council committee hearing convened by Councilor B. Castro regarding the plan to demolish San Fernando?s famed landmark, the 85-yearold water pylon, now menacingly called the “leaning tower.” On the way to Pampanga, I fetched Architect R. Inovero of the National Historical Institute (NHI), at 6:30 in the morning somewhere in Quezon City. How could I face that formidable committee alone? Although I might be able explain why that water tower should not be demolished, only Architect Inovero can give the technical wherewithal of heritage and historical conservation. On a white board, he drew an eloquent sketch of how the “leaning tower” can be safely buttressed like similar cases in NHI?s list of achievements. I hope the barangay leaders adopt the Inovero proposal to give the community time to ponder on how important it is to awaken a “sense of country.”
