NOTHING really spectacular there.
I refer to fresh retirement talks about Manny Pacquiao?s boxing career.
It has come back, as in the eternal edict of a song?s old refrain, if not first love: It simply refuses to die down.
And one big reason for that now is the same one big reason as before: Mommy Dionisia.
And who is Mommy Dionisia again?
None other than Pacquiao?s mother ?dear, dear Mommy D to the world?s pound-for-pound king.
Mothers are always like that: Protective of their children?even when they?ve grown old, wiser to the so-called ways of the world.
My own mother (bless her soul) kept reminding me about the booby traps in politics.
?In this country, one adhering to truth at all times has no place in politics,? said my Mom, who was the unbeaten ?kapitana? in our barangay.
When political bigwigs asked her to tweak societal morals, she quit.
When Danding Cojuangco offered to help gun up my congressional bid in 1992, my Mom said to me, ?I guess my political dictum also applies to you.?
Bye, politics.
I?m glad Mommy Dionisia continues to wield an intense influence on her son, Manny.
?My mother has been begging for me to retire,? said Pacquiao upon his return from the US some two weeks after he toyed his way to a 12-round decision victory over Ghanaian Joshua Clottey in Arlington, Texas. ?I respect my parents and if they really want me to stop fighting, then I will retire.?
I guess he is sincere. He must have been touched, if not bothered, by Mommy Dionisia?s threat should Manny continue fighting.
?I know how tough it is for my mother to say she would kneel before me and ask me to retire,? said Pacquiao. ?I think I can retire anytime now.?
Didn?t Mommy D also threaten to walk on her knees on her way to a church altar if only to drive home her point?
At 31, Manny, a classic rags-to-riches story, is too young to retire. A certified billionaire, he can win more. Against Floyd Mayweather Jr., he could earn $30M.
But, seemingly, insofar as Mommy D is concerned, she will have nothing more of that. No mas. I can almost hear her say, ?My son?s health is my wealth.?
