Think about it
Implications of Pacquiao’s boxing success
By Jun Velasco
WHEN Manny Pacquiao’s mother Aling Dionisia planed in from the US where she watched her son demolish Antonio Margarito, she was mobbed by reporters at the airport.
What transpired in the ambush interview unintelligible, no one could get what she was talking about.
Aling Dionisia has become a star of sorts being interviewed left and right, and frequently invited as talk show guest.
Pacquiao’s sensational victories have brought to the country many unusual events that continue to baffle the imagination. Here is a poor boy in the boondocks of General Santos City who, by the sheer power of his fists, rose to immeasurable fame, did his beleaguered country proud and stirred up a kaleidoscope of a myriad of activities.
Were it not for his dazzling fight excellence in the ring, it’s doubtful if his many other attributes would shine. Fresh balikbayan Gonzalo Duque, who reported about Americans rooting for Manny instead of Antonio Margarito in the pre-fight, cited Manny’s humility, patriotism, religiosity and compassionate character that should really make him a true champion not only of Filipinos but of all races.
It just occurred to us that had he not shot up to phenomenal fame, no one would notice his many good traits. Manny Pacquiao, therefore, is a lesson in life, which says that everyone loves a success and that when one is very high up there, all his warts and scars and bad side are forgotten.
It’s for this reason that we are obligated to succeed in life no matter what because the penalty of failure is deathly.
Manny is now even being considered to run for President of the Philippines. At this point, we want to ask our fellow men to “moderate” their excitement. His congressional seat is already a gift from God. Huag na nating pagsenadorin, please?
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Government media officials intend to teach school kids the rudiments of journalism so that even while they are still in school they can be instruments for development.
We presume the idea is designed to make up for the failure of the much-maligned Sangguniang Kabataan where the young are prematurely exposed to graft and corruption by their callous elders.
Dubbed “citizens journalism,” the program will make young reporters of students who will be trained to be socially conscious and take part in the development process.
The idea will supplant the flawed leadership training for the young who were damaged instead of being developed by barangay politics. They saw too much of the elders’ sins and corrupt practices.
Democracy in the Philippines is being criticized for its over-hospitality to press freedom resulting in abuse and license and failure to inculcate discipline and correct values. In campus journalism, the emphasis is on critical thinking and the art of participation in the development process. The new curriculum should be tried with utmost care to prevent a repetition of the SK fiasco.
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