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Thursday, September 22, 2005
Oyson: Pacquiao as cheerleader for RP team?
By Manuel N. Oyson, Jr.
Counter Punch
What now for Manny Pacquiao? Besides pursuing a rematch with former tormentor Erik Morales in January and a probable rich gate in the millions of dollars, what is in store for him before and after the projected “Pacquiao-Morales: Part II?” For one, he returned to Cebu City for an overnight sojourn and called on his friend, promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud.
I did not have the opportunity to meet him again face-to-face last Sunday at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. I understand Salud invited some media people to dine with them at a Chinese restaurant in Banilad. I was abed the whole afternoon and evening after attending the blessing and formal opening of Kuya Boy Odilao’s Espesyal Lechonan that noon in Sitio Oldog, Talisay City.
FREE TIME. When I met Pacquiao for the first time face to face here early August and asked him why he did not fly directly to Los Angeles for his fight with Hector Velazquez, he just answered, “Pabuenas (For luck).” He is now the country’s latest and newest sports icon and a national hero for finishing off Velasquez. Salud was with him to savor that euphoric night at the Staples Center when he disposed of Velasquez in six rounds.
That victory lifted a heavy load off the shoulders of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who had been under political stress and strain for several weeks because of the so-called “Hello Garci” tapes. Since the return bout with Morales may not take place until after the Southeast Asian Games (Seag), Pacquiao will have plenty of free time.
BIOS. He did say that he would prepare and condition himself very much early for his rematch with Morales, than he did before meeting Velazquez. Being a national icon, even film producers would be forming a beeline to his home in Gen. Santos or where he may be at, to interest him in making a film of his life despite being still in his prime. Even ordinary people did it before, making film and commercial bios of their lives and highly capitalizing on them.
Remember the epic on the life of the late Ferdinand Marcos, which helped catapult him to the presidency in 1965? Or how about the life of former PNP director (now senator) Ping Lacson, to cite another example? Why even Sen. Serge Osmeña III had his own “Eskapo” motion picture, which might have propped him in his political career. Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo of Ilocos Sur, now a Quezon City congressman, had his own life story on film, too.
CHEERLEADER. There were also two famous Manila policemen and recognized terror of the Manila underworld, whose lives were brought to the screen. If their beginnings and successes – or failures – could be captured on celluloid, why not that of Pacquiao? The appearance fees would be too tempting even for him to refuse. It would be a bonanza he cannot refuse despite the mother lode he struck in Los Angeles. Making additional commercial product endorsements on television and the printed page could also be worth a king’s ransom.
There is also a suggestion from PDI sports columnist Recah Trinidad for Pacquiao to lead the cheering squad in all the main venues during the staging of the 23rd Seag in Manila. Even to pump up the adrenalin of Filipino athletes and win the overall Seag championship for the first time. Or, as Pacquiao himself announced upon his return, he would be working for national unity. An adherent, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, explained that Pacquiao’s victory was a welcome respite from the months-long political hatred and crisis.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “They did not need Pacquiao.” – PDI sports columnist Recah Trinidad on the junketing congressmen and governors who qualified and traveled with PGMA to New York, as a reward for their early perseverance to please the president
(sports@sunstar.com.ph)
(September 22, 2005 issue)
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