The name is Emmanuel. For the boxing world, it’s Pacman. For his admirers who adore him, he is Our Manny. To boxing experts, analysts, enthusiasts, commentators, not excluding fans of politicians, he is Pacquiao. For the millions of starving, hero-hungry Filipinos who eat breakfast, lunch and dinner of political disputes with sandwiches in between, he is the Pambansang Kamao (National Fist).
The PK is the national pride of the Filipinos, the jewel of Filipino boxing. It has made the country proud. Indeed, a gem to be treasured and flaunted. It has a humble origin. From his home in the city of General Santos, somewhere in the southern Philippines, the PK boy earned a livelihood for himself and his family even at a tender and young age. PK sold donuts in the city and brought coconuts home which in turn he sold to the neighbors. The PK story has the things that the million dollar success stories of John Gokongwei, Henry Sy and Lucio Tan are made of. Yet there is a difference, a big difference. The idea of a punch from the Filipino-Chinese Taipans is limited to the drink.
The PK discovered by recruiters for amateur boxing. This led to his now legendary career and stellar status in boxing. When it loses in a fight, the Philippine nation is not convinced. An icon is not supposed to lose. There may have been some human errors in the judges’ scoring, anything but certainly not in any way due to the human limitations of the PK, slight imperfections. When the PK was badly bruised in a fight and still made it to the twelfth round on their feet, during their first encounter with El Terrible, the nation was still euphoric and greeted him at home as they would welcome him in victory. The idol never falls in the eyes of his compatriots.
He is son, brother, husband, father, friend, Mr. Everyman and PK. He is as human as anyone and as Filipino as all Filipinos born and raised. During his fights, his wife would always be in the ring and his mother would always be kneeling in front of the altar in their home holding her rosary. His two young sons would watch their father’s fight on satellite TV, but no other fan is as privileged as these two who sleep, drink and dine with the PK. He’s the homegrown kid who got it right, he’s a fantastic media specimen, a much sought-after product sponsor, whose material blessings he shares through his charities.
It’s been a long time since the busy streets of Manila were empty for once when people decided to stay home to watch a delayed boxing broadcast and longer since the days Filipinos were swept away by united adulation, all because of Manny Pacquiao. , the People’s Champion
