Mind’s Eye View

The unanimous and uncontroverted triumph of Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao over Erik Morales came at a time when the nation needed victory the most. The sight of the Filipino pugilist beating his chest over a downed and bloodied Mexican heartthrob on live telecast and pay-per-view channels the world over did the almost impossible job of hoisting the Filipino pride skyward. The circumstances immediately following the great pinoy victory were no less shocking: throngs of Filipinos from all walks of life took to the streets for a reason other than decrying poverty or condemning government action. Pinoys throughout the archipelago and even abroad roused to a frenzied celebration because a solid Pinoy left-hook brought a foreign El Terrible to his knees.

For a brief moment, Pacquiao’s victory eclipsed the mires and tribulations that make up Philippine reality. Could we be prouder: it was one of the few times the Philippines would make it to the top of the list other than the “poorest countries list” or the “most corrupt governments list.” It didn’t matter that Pacquiao spoke less-than-perfect English, or that the Filipina “triller” who sang “Lupang Hinirang” in front of a world audience fumbled at the end.  In fact, it didn’t matter at all that Pac-Man’s victory would by no stretch bring our country out of its quagmire. All that mattered for that brief moment was that we can say, “Pinoy ako, Pinoy!” with neither qualm nor guilt.

But the party, like I said, was all but, well, brief. Like big fish eyeing a school of fingerlings, the politicians were quick to dive in. Not long after the bout, Philippine bigwigs, arse-lickers and turncoats included, climbed onto the ring where Pacquiao stood, hurling praises at the Pinoy hero with prepared speeches and artful accolades, likening the champ’s hard-fought victory to the government’s supposed hard-fought battle to overcome its own evils. According to them, Pacquiao was the personification of the administration’s struggle to improve the country’s lot. To the ordinary Pinoy, it’s called chicanery—calculated to improve their own lots.

I do not wish to seem rough on Pac-Man’s glorious win for truly, his victory was something which we all can really be proud of as Pinoys. What appalls me, however, is that people in top governmental positions were so lacking in their own merits that they had to capitalize on Pacquiao’s glory for much-needed “pogi points” and all its appurtenances. I find it almost striking how these bigwigs, arse-lickers and turncoats alike, have mastered their craft in insulting themselves.

True, Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao’s triumph came at a time when the Filipino Nation desperately needed to redeem its lost pride. True, we rumbled in celebration and reveled in Pac-Man’s victory taking it as our nation’s own. True, that for that brief moment of glory, we felt proud to be Filipino. But as quickly as the dust settled the ugly reality of a potbellied government and a malnourished nation come crashing back at us. Alas, we are back to the real score. Alas, the show is finally over.

Some troop back to their queues gripped by the phantom of a better life in game shows, scores dying in the process. Some queue outside of Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao’s fence for a tad bit of his bounty, whose efforts would likely end in futility. A woman comes out, child in hand, demanding from the Pinoy hero support for the spurious child he allegedly fathered with her. Soon after, it’s not all gold and glitter for Pacquiao. Soon after, the political bigwigs, arse-lickers and turncoats would lounge about in their comfortable chairs, cooking up ways to score it big again. Perhaps this time, not with a Pacquiao.