Pacquiao's Web

Last week, the world had saw the fourth bout of Manny Pacquaio and Juan Manuel Marquez for WBO welterweight champion. The fight that had started great for the People's Champ, folded up with him as he was knock down by a punch led by El Dinamita in the sixth round. Many are shocked with the result. Not to mention, many cannot believe that a single punch thrown out by Marquez could end this boxing match. Many of my friends in Facebook had posted their disbelief with the result more than Pacquaio's last match with Bradley. His latest fight had cleared that that his opponent won than his fight with Bradley where many has perceived that it was already fixed.

Many people have ideas on who and what blame with Pacquaio's defeat. His mother, Mommy D blamed his defeat to the pastors who led Manny to switch of religion from being a Catholic and stealing the time for his training in exchange of bible study. Ever since his son has changed his religion, he lose with his fight, in 2 consecutives. Before his fights, Manny used to do the sign of the cross in the corner and used to carry a rosary with him. But not anymore. Mommy D is not alone with her 'theory'. Some took it that Pacquaio suffers the consequence of religion switching. But before we took it negatively, let us remember the moments before Pacquaio had made the switch. According to reports, he was into vices such as alcohols, going to night clubs and cock fighting. He was linked with girls, famously with Krista Ranillo. One day, he turned back all of them. He have changed to be close to the Lord. He invest his time in bible studying, rather than going to his vices that are proven to be self-destructive. It is a good news!

A friend of mine thinks that Pacquaio's defeat can be attributed to his lack of focus in boxing and the way he handles of his affairs. He is a politician, entertainer and product endorser. He have made boxing his part time job, I say. He was into public service as the congressman of the lone district of Saranggani for three years. He is the richest Congressman but he has one of the most number of absences in the Congress. No bills authored from him became laws. He was against RH Bill and voted NO during the second reading. However, his and the rest of legislators who are against it got knocked down by majority of those who favored. Aside from his political stint, Pacquaio is an entertainer. He has appears in numerous TV shows and got a sitcom and a variety show. He was starred at two movies in 2009 and 2010 which had suffered in the box office. Pacquaio is also a recording artist.

After his defeat, Canadian teen pop sensation Justin Bieber had posted mocked pictures against Pacquaio. One picture with him, lying down in the ring while a Disney character, Simba asked him to wake up. In one picture is a shot of the recent fight between Mayweather and Marquez where the former knock down the latter as if it is meant to say that Pacquaio has no chance against Mayweather. This prompts Filipino netizens anger that some of Justin's Filipino followers have unfollow him in his Twitter account. A hash tag was especially made for him, RespectthePhilippinesBieber. Just a while ago, I read a news that lawmakers had filed a resolution demanding Justin Bieber, an apology and declare him as "persona non-grata", stating that Pacquaio is "the source of our nation's pride". Personally, what the teen pop sensation has done is an insult to Pacquaio. It is like when a man is down, what the other man can do is mock him, instead of lifting him up. Comparing both credentials (Bieber and Pacquaio), there's no need to say that who is better regardless of their age. And even it matters, Bieber has a lot to do and prove more. The resolution filled by lawmakers, though some may like it, is mediocre even if it is to say that he should be taught a lesson for insulting the source of our nation's pride. They would waste time for someone like Justin Bieber that only did a concert once in the Philippines. Get real! There are more things to do than filing a resolution that demands Justin Bieber an apology to the People's Champ and banning him. These are the welfare of our countrymen. Besides, Pacquaio had ignored it. On the other hand, as it is perceivable by some people that Pacquaio is "the source of our nation's pride" proven by his winning streaks and people cheered on him, but the concept of our nation's pride (or source of our nation's pride) should not be rested in one person or handful of people who had made in the international scene. As what someone had said and what I think it is, that, us, ourselves is our nation's pride.

Manny Pacquaio turned 34 this year. His fight with Marquez, I'm sure, it is not the end of his boxing career even of his political and showbiz career. Even the best fall down sometimes. He have time to regain the lost, change what is needed and become victorious again. The real champions are not the ones who gain the title nor never defeated but they are the ones who chose to continue and rise up after they fall down!