Still the Champ!

“Time stops” in the Philippines when Pacquiao steps into the ring. The streets in the villages and cities are empty. I just learned from the news that there is not even one crime incident recorded in the entire country when it happens. This is the only “zero crime rate time” in the Philippines. Everybody watches the greatest hero of the country.

When I was in the Philippines it was the best time to travel. I could drive freely without any traffic even through the streets of downtown of Manila. When Pacquiao fights it is like a great fiesta in the whole country. I heard that even the victims of the typhoon at relocation centers, eg. Bantayan Island, who lost everything last year, are provided with a big screen to watch the game.

People talk about his fight weeks and months before it is scheduled. They expected it almost like they expect the visit of Pope and even more than this. Decorations are prepare like for Christmas. One of the airlines, Air Asia, painted the plains with the image of him.

No surprise Manny Pacquiao is the hero of the country. He is the only one to draws attention of the Filipino people for almost 20 years. Every Pinoy would like to become like him. He would win an election if only he runs for President of the country.

Mayweather & Pacquiao

Indeed he will remain a hero and the Champ always. His fans were sad after his most recent lost but many of them say: “he inspires us with his spirit and we are so grateful to him.” Others said to explain his lost: “Mayweather fight like a gay. He looks like and he moves like a gay” (Liza Soberano & Raymond Gutierez). The most popular newspaper wrote: “You are still air Champ!”

I am certain that many are disappointed after watching the “fight of the century,” that took place last Sunday. Manny Pacquiao faced the American super champion Mayweather at Las Vegas. We expected more fight, knock-outs, horror… but it was a very quiet match. Mayweather won the game because of his smart strategy. As a bigger man, with his long arms, kept Pacquiao in a safe distance. Pacquiao tried his best but he never reached the target. No blood, no pain, no hurts… Therefore the favorite of the crowds at Las Vegas lost.

Although Pacquiao lost again the Filipino people still call him: “the Champ.” The most of the magazines and local newspapers on Sunday, the day he was to fight, dedicated the entire content to him. On the first page were printed two pictures beside each other: Pacquiao and Mayweather. The main headline wrote: “who is the greatest?” Beside Pacquiao was his wife, 5 kids and his mother. She always is beside to remind him to pray and to be close to God. There were also printed a few words of the president of the country: “doesn’t matter who will win. He will always remain as the great man for the country.”  And I guess it will stay like that forever and ever. Amen.

 

Pacquiao with his Mother and Family

 

 

Manny Pacqiao

Wczoraj Manny Pacqiao przegral walke na ringu z amerykaninem Timothy Bradley. Dzisiaj na calych Filipinach jest dzien refleksji i “zaloby” po tym co sie stalo. Wielu ludzi do tej pory nie moze uwierzyc, jak ten wspanialy bokser i idol wielu chlopcow, mogly przegrac na ringu. Pacqiao bowiem zdobyl wszystkie mozliwe tytuly jakie zawodowy piesciarz moze zdobyc i byl nie pokonanm przez siedem ostatnich lat. W jego osiegnieciach znajduje sie wiele tytulow, w tym szesc tytulow Mistrza Swiata w czterech roznych kategoriach wagowych. Nikt jeszcze nie osiagnal takiego wynku. Byl rowniez wybranym “Mistrzem Dekady” Nowego Millenium.

Manny jest skromnym i religijnym czlowiekiem. Pochodzi z malego miasteczka, General Santos, na poludniu Mindanao. Ma juz 36 lat i chcial zakonczyc swoja bogata kariere sportowa pare miesiecy temu. Wygral bowiem wszystko co chcial i zarobil fortune. Przy tym, zaangazowal sie w polityke. Nawet jego mama prosila go, aby skonczyl z walkami. Do tej “ostatniej” walki zostal namowiony przez swoich managerow i doradcow. Dla nich ciagle jest za malo. Po niej mial zakonczyc kariere. Niestety wczoraj przegral, i wyglada na to, ze bedzie walczyl nadal. Musi sie bowiem zrewanzowac za niefortunna porazke.

Dzisiaj rano dowiedzielismy sie, ze jego mama zaslabla podczas ogladania jego walki i zostala odwieziona do szpitala. Miejmy nadzieje, ze zarowno on, jak i mama, szybko wroca do pelnego zdrowia.

Mimo niedzielnej porazki, jestem przekonany, ze Manny Pacqiao nadal bedzie tutaj uwazany za Mistrza i zwyciezce. Nadal bedzie bohaterem narodowym dla wielu Filipinczykow . Legenda o nim bedzie zyla wiecznie.

Yesterday the boxer Manny Pacqiao lost to American Timothy Bradley in a fight. Today in the Philippines is the day of mourning and reflection on it. Many people still don’t believe that the absolute leader in box-ranking and idol for all Filipino boys – Pacqiao, could lose his fight. He was unbitten for 7 years and has got all kind of titles in boxing. He is the first eight-division world champion; won six world titles and he was the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. Finally, he was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000s.

Manny is a simple and religious person. He comes from a tiny little town, General Santos, in the south of Mindanao. He is 36 and supposes to end his career a few months ago. He won all possible titles and gained a lot of money. He even involved himself in the politics. His mother advised him to stop fighting and he promised her to do so after this last fight. But he lost, and probably will have to face Bradley in November again as revenge. His mother collapsed and was taken to the hospital while watching his son’s fight yesterday. I hope Manny Pacqiao, likewise his mother, will get well soon.

Together with his wife Jinkee and children

Despise his defeat, there is no doubt, Manny Pacqiao will continue to be an inspiration and model of a success for many Filipinos. His image as a winner and a hero will last forever. His legend will never die.