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French poet Paul Valery once said, "The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be." Well, here is the present as seen through the eyes of a mother, blogger, writer and unabashed dog-lover named Toots.

The Saga of Manny Pacquiao

December 9, 2008

This man from Gen San is now officially and perpetually a boxing legend.

 Having conquered Oscar dela Hoya, Manny Pacquiao has really nothing more to prove. His opponent had the longer reach and a more natural heft but not even he could withstand the Pacman’s speedy punches. 

 Pacquiao has really become the people’s champion - a symbol of David against all the Goliaths one can imagine. 

 I only wish that he avoids the siren call of politics in favor of the more meaningful title of a people’s champ. He belongs to the whole country, not just to a single district - no matter how many square inches his campaign headquarters would end up having. 

 He has climbed up the professional boxing ladder using his own skills, talent and experience. Politics is a different arena. I’d rather that Pacquiao become a champion of sports activities for the youth. 

At a time when so many Filipinos have become sedentary and obese, the charismatic and much-admired Pacquiao can certainly be a model for young Filipinos on the values of physical fitness, sportsmanship, and sheer determination to succeed.

Pacquiao the politician will just be another voice chirping in the wilderness. Pacquiao the Filipino sports icon serving as the life coach of out-of-school youths will be unique and timeless.

The first is the road to mediocrity; the second is the path to authentic and selfless leadership.

Whatever road he takes, Manny Pacquiao has done his share in uniting the people and reducing crime, even for just the duration of his slugfests. 

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