Torn between my two “blood”

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

BY THE time you read this piece, I surmise that the much-touted and much-awaited Pacquiao-Marquez II world title fight may probably just about to start or in progress or could even be already over.

As I said before, my forecast is a victory for the Mexican world champ Juan Manuel Marquez by a decision.

But let me clarify that by picking Marquez to win, it doesn’t mean that I’m anti-Manny Pacquiao. It is that I just want to play the role of contravida this time. (And for being a villain, I was drowned out by an avalanche of bettors in my village who are pro-Paquiao. I’m not a gambler so I just accepted one, a friendly bet for a case of beer).

In my heart I want Pacquiao to win because I’m half Filipino. I was born, raised and educated here and love to stay in this country to this day after 16 years of stint in Uncle Sam’s land.

But I’m also half Mexican, with a Chicano father named Jesus Rivera Garcia (bless his soul) originally from Burgos, Mexico. Friends, relatives, co-athletes and media colleagues of mine say I look more Mexican than a Filipino.

I believe them because every time I look at the big mirror, my features are more Latino than Filipino. My face, eyes, height and especially the nose. (What I perhaps got from my late mother (bless her soul) Adelaida Morales Aquino was her voice. She was a good singer. And with that voice, I became a recording artist. No need to elaborate).

So, being a half-Mexican, I choose Marquez to win, the ring warrior whom I personally met in November 2006 during my brief stay in Pharr, Texas, my late father’s hometown.

I hope you don’t blame me. Sometimes I also have to root for my half-blood mate, it’s only natural, isn’t it?

Very few Filipinos I’ve talked to pick Marquez to win, like my maestro Jun Velasco, Rannie Manaois and Sherwin Baguio.

My cumpadre Recah Trinidad wants to stay neutral saying “tagilid si Pacquiao kay Marquez,” after Marquez demolished compatriot Marco Antonio Barrera.

But if Pacquiao wins the battle, he will be the first Filipino and the first Asian to hold three different titles in his career, and I, too, will be happy for him and our country.

(Readers may reach columnist at biking.jess@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/sports-eye/
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