What One Man Truly Represents To A Country

The hope and pride that represents the Philippines stands at 5'7" and 135 lbs. No, it is not their President. It is the man they call Manny 'Pac-Man' Pacquiao.

This was Pacquiao's first match as a lightweight boxer. He was previously boxing as a featherweight boxer. In order to be in the lightweight class, Pacquiao had to gain pounds of muscle until he reached the 135 lb. limit. He was fighting for the WBC lightweight championship against title holder David Diaz. Diaz's record before the bout was 32-1-1, as Pacquiao's record was 46-3-2.

I've seen highlights of many boxing matches, but watching Pacquiao was a highlight in itself. The man can flat out box. He is just ridiculously quick, great recovery speed, VERY evasive. Just an unbelievable athlete. Once he throws in a haymaker that connects, MANY, MANY more follow. The man is a southpaw boxer (left-handed), but he was just dominating with his right against Diaz. Diaz at times threw in some pretty good power punches, but the Pac-Man was just way too quick.

The match ended in a 9 round knockout when he landed a left-hook to the side of the face of Diaz who fell face first into the mat. The Pride of the Philippines (current record is now 47-3-2) stood tall to the elated Filipino crowd in attendance, raising the Filipino flag, and became the new WBC lightweight champion.

At first glance, the man with a charming looks like just another hard-working and innocent Filipino. But behind his 'pogi' (handsome in Tagalog) face, contains a fierce boxing champion.

Today, I was over at a neighbor's house to experience and watch this phenomena that is the sport of boxing. It was not until the actual match that I realize how Pacquiao meant to the country of the Philippines. Watching the family and friends that surrounded me, it seemed as if they were witnessing a suspense film. They were at the edge of their seat the whole time; leaping for joy and yells of "hit him in the head" (spoken in Tagalog of course, I just don't know it) for every blow Pacquiao delivered. And for every blow delivered to the Pac-Man, was a blow to the cheerful attitude to everyone in the room which triggered the emotional outbursts of "oh no!" and "oh shit!"

It was not only a victory for the prized champion, but a victory to those who were watching as everyone felt that they were in that ring themselves. To Filipinos everywhere, Pacquiao is more than just a boxer from the Philippines. He is the hope, pride and joy of the whole country. Albeit, the country has dealt with a corrupt government and relentless destruction caused by bagyos (typhoons in the Philippines) over the years, but the sun has never shined so bright than it has today. Pacquiao represents what Filipino citizens are. High-spirited champions that keep on fighting, never letting anything get in their way.

Every hardship that the country has encountered can easily be forgotten for every hard-fought win Pacquiao brings home. But even if he does lose a match once in a rare while, Filipinos will always give their heart and soul to support the lone man who not only fights for himself, but fights for each of the 97+ million citizens in the Philippines and the 4 million Filipinos in America. For every jab, hook and punch thrown by Pacquiao, the morale of the country gets higher and higher. Given that the state of the country is in poverty, Paquiao just proves that pride has no cost, it's priceless.