A televised bout by living legend Manny Pacquiao is all it takes to hush the daily frenzy in Metro Manila. The recent battle with Puerto Rican pugilist Miguel Cotto stopped virtually everything: From the literally hole-in-the-wall barbershop to the magnificent halls of the powerful Congress. Daily household routines take a sidelight halt just so Filipinos—even busy mothers—could cheer their champion in the ring. And for what it’s worth, even criminality takes a step sideways just to give lane to Manny’s surefire victory. Thanks to Manny, there’s a day in the Filipino’s life were peace truly reigns supreme.

A lot has been written about this legendary Filipino pound-for-pound champ that to add to them may only prove insignificant, if not futile, in the long run. Today, the Pacquiaos enjoy limelight status, with mother Dionisia or “Mommy D” luxuriating under the praises and graces of Manila’s entertainment elite. Or perhaps, it’s the other way around, now that the Pacquiaos are multimillionaires. 

Advertising offers come from left and right, even movies to the presumably uninitiated and humble mother. Politicians swarm around Manny and his mother Dionisia like flies on candy, as though to be seen with the Pacquiaos would boost their political careers. Maybe. Maybe not. The Filipino electorate may be swayed by some manner or form of entertainment, but scarcely now would it vote out of popularity. There’s a thin line that separates popularity and destiny in Philippine politics, and with an electorate maturing as fast as we can say “Pacman”, one can rest assured of the public’s savvy in terms of who they want to sit in the Palace come 2010.

What has been such a breath of fresh air is Manny’s prayerful soul. From the very first day he stepped into the ring, Filipinos have yet to see the champion renege on that gesture of faith: Kneeling down in his corner, hands resting on the ropes, with eyes closed in silent supplication to God. It’s a gesture rarely displayed by some athletes, save Filipino boxers who oftentimes make the sign of the cross before engaging the opponent. But Manny is altogether different; he kneels on the canvas in humble praise of his Creator before every bout, a clear autograph of his undying faith. He knows from whom his strength comes from and belongs to, a kind of faith that recognizes the hand of the Almighty, however unseen.

No, Manny is a far cry from being a saint. But a good and faithful son he will always be, from the looks of things. Many who have criticized Manny because of his millions had all but to look intently on the assistance and help he has continually given to his family, specifically his mother, Dionisia. It’s a rare thing, success, and rarer still for one who has reached success to want his feet continually on the ground.

The word “poor” speak little of the poverty that had haunted the Pacquiaos for decades. Stories have been many, about Manny being a “nobody” in the past, a literal non-entity in the world of big-time boxing. He was said to have been a gym cleaner once just so he could practice his art for free, cleaning the boxing ring as payment thereafter with fellow boxers that were out to try their luck in the arena. 

Another story was that he was part of the labor crew that built the Elorde Sports Complex in Paranaque City, working with his hands—the very fists that had given the Filipino its sense of utmost pride—to make ends that rarely, if at all, meet. Waiting where the next meal would arrive was a constant battle, and to patiently wait, without the temptation to fret, as all poor people know, delivers a kind of anxiety that’s more excruciating than any punch hurled in the ring.

But only Manny and his family know the true story behind his life as an athlete in the Philippines. Needless to say, the sports world can only so much with the meager support it is getting from government. Most spend for their own uniforms and shoes, with little or no qualms about the indifference government is showing to them. Because of this, and for the love of the sport, heroes they already are, and should be, even when they have yet to bring home a single trophy.

Today, his mother Dionisia walks around Manila with an expensive necklace gracing her neck, a gift from her good son, and clothes that never in her wildest dreams she knew would be hers. Quite the modest token, really, considering the sacrifice she has unfailingly shown as mother and caretaker of the family. For whatever it is worth, Manny’s success has changed many things in their life as a family. Little has been said about this save for goggle-eyed reports on the seemingly ostentatious lifestyle the Pacquiaos are now enjoying. Ostentatious or not, the Pacquiaos have all the right to luxuriate in the good life as they have, for the most part, painfully known the opposite. One thing is for certain: It can no longer be said that the Pacquiaos are nobodies.

The support Manny has offered his parents and family only goes to show that his prayers are being answered, and that at the very core of his being, notwithstanding his crown as the greatest fist in the world, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is a true Filipino. Kinks on his armor he has, no doubt, being only human, but as a child of her mother, Manny ash shown more mettle in his personal life than in the ring. He is an example to us all, to us who continually dream of a better life for country and family. -end-