Manny’s Got Class

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I have to admit,  for the longest time I wasn’t a Manny Pacquiao fan. Sure, as Pinoy I’ve always been proud of him for his boxing achievements. He is after all, the greatest pound for pound boxer in the WORLD. But my admiration for him stopped there. I didn’t like watching him on TV, and disapproved of his singing. I looked down at his first attempt at entering politics by running as Congressman for General Santos. When news of his affair with Krista Ranillo broke out, his star diminished in my eyes. 

But it really does seem that he deserves all the adulation he receives. 

Wall paper from http://uglybossmong22.deviantart.com/art/manny-pacquiao-wallpaper-crest-104551348

 

For one, he really sought to improve himself, and this is not just about being the best in his sport. When doors in showbusiness opened up for him, I felt like it was just the networks trying to be on his good side, riding on his coattails. But he really is serious about being a singer. He practices with his band almost as much as he trains for his fights. He sings from his heart too, just like how he fights. No doubt, if he releases another single/album, the people will buy it not because of his soothing voice, but because they have respect for him. And anyone who shows as much dedication to his chosen craft as he does deserves some respect. 

And how about all the jokes about his English? He didn’t use to speak the language well, and then there’s his distinct southern PH accent. Now, he can answer his post-fight interviews without the aid of interpreters, and even guests at American TV shows. He can hold his own – not only in fist fights, but word fights too. 🙂 

Then there’s being a public servant. I don’t know what preparations he’s done in the last two to three years since losing his first elections, but right now, he seems to be earning his keep. If he hasn’t proven yet that he deserved to have been voted, well then he is proving those who voted for him that he intends to make an impact in his days at the halls of Congress. Perhaps he is out to prove that not everyone who goes into politics becomes tainted. 

From Sunday’s fight, people have pointed out how classy Pacquiao was. He fought a hard fight, true. He was a better fighter, yes. But what got everyone’s attention was this: how he didn’t move in for the kill when he could have. He had all the conditions prepped for a knockout, but he chose to finish the fight without unnecessarily adding to the injuries that his opponent already suffered from the fight. I didn’t watch it, but even the boyfriend tells me how several times, Manny looked towards the referee expecting him to stop the fight. On Twitter, while the fight was broadcasted all over the world, people were waiting for the match to be halted. It didn’t happen. Margarito could have easily suffered more if it was a younger and more aggressive Pacquiao in that ring. In his victory, he was gracious. 

So. I gotta hand it to Manny P. He’s got class. 

By striving to be the best in everything that he does, and refusing to stop until he achieves his dreams, and then generously sharing his blessings, he’s become an inspiration to many. Earning what I believe is the best title he’s ever been bestowed: The People’s Champ. 

Now, my only wish is for him to remain faithful to his wife and family, never to stray again. 🙂 

Here’s a well written post on thoughts of the fight too: http://michaeldsellers.weearth.com/2010/11/14/pacquiao-margarito-what-we-can-learn-from-the-humility-empathy-and-grace-of-manny-pacquiao/