For openers? I lately talked to second cousin Gaudencio Calva of Cambayog, Compostela, the hilly neighbor of picturesque Cabadiangan valley. He insists that Dionisia, the mother of Manny Pacquiao, is his illegitimate daughter by Simplicia Librero. The latter who later married Crispin Bataluna, migrated to Polomolok, South Cotabato so many decades ago, along with then young girl Dionisia. By Dencio’s account, he is sure to have sired Dionisia who, by her looks on recent tv clip, has striking resemblance with him.
Such snippet of human interest story, whether true or not, never fails to tug the romantic hearts, just as Pacman’s “alibis” also invite some raised eyebrows…
Firstly, when he failed to lick Mexican Manuel Marquez, despite decking him thrice, Pacquiao blamed his socks resulting in a blistered foot, and a sprained left hand. Many took this claim as gospel facts from the lips of their unerring idol. To the objective observers and not fawning slaves of idolatry, the 12-round bout showed how Pacquiao got the receiving end of Marquez’ fists.
Secondly, in the fight with Erik “El Terible” Morales that Pacquiao lost by 115-113 unanimous decision, he attributed his loss to two other factors – the head-butt gash above his right eye that worsened into a purple tomato; the other was the Japanese gloves used, instead of the “Cleto Reyes” gloves.
And so, based on street talk or on boxing lingo, for his fans with blinders, Pacman was dealt in these two fights a double whammy; not just once, but a double jinx, or bad luck twice over. Also lately, he further griped that he was hungry at the eve of the fight to maintain his 130 pounds, plus mental problems, and capped by blood-sampling for lab-testing.
However, the world press has been uniform in their observations and impressions that, indeed, Morales controlled and dominated the fight fair and square. Even from the spontaneous post-fight admission of Pacquiao, he lost the fight to Morales, no ands, no buts, no ifs.
Let me risk a “lynching” by the Pacman fans? Manny talks too much, and often puts his fists in his mouth. If he were a singer, his lyrics and style of belting his songs sound very orotundous. He ought to have spoken with his fists, instead of boxing with his mouth. Even pro-boxer Barrera advised him to be a gracious loser.
Yes, the Filipino media, eager beavers for “pogi” points in the ratings game, over-exploited and squeezed the last sap of Pacquiao’s popularity. Even in Las Vegas before the bout, ABS-CBN over-exposed Pacquiao to its viewers. Pacquiao was too verbose in his assurance to bring home the bacon, etc. etc. The end result was cockiness or braggadocio that many say ?Humok kasuk-an sa Ginoo kay hambug ra kaayo?. And so, with the over-hyped billings of Pacquaio, Morales’ camp was prepared how the wily and expert mitt-slinger would frustrate Pacquiao’s ballyhooed power.
When it was evident that he could not kayo Morales, many frustrated ?kibitzers? watching the tv screen were heard to mutter aloud: ?Hain na man na Manny ang giburit nimong ‘Manila Ice’ nga imong ipakatuog ni Morales?”
Indeed, Morales proved to be Pacquaio’s master and ring mentor in every department. But unlike Pacquiao who’s still cocky now even in defeat, Morales was a humble winner with the magnanimity to praise Pacquaio as “very tough, very strong, and very fast. He’s a great fighter, he’s a very great fighter, but honestly – here’s the painful rub on Pacman – I wasn’t hurt by his punches”. If that be humbug or cockiness, at least, it was made in a manner along the seams of good taste.
