Manny Pacquiao used to be our unifier. His matches come Sunday makes everything, as in everything stop. Everyone congregates, rich or poor, young or old, fans and non-boxing fans alike, will be glued to the live pay-per-view or to the "live" but so delayed by ads local broadcasts.
Pacquiao, Pac-Man, Pambansang Kamao was our sense of pride. The poor boy from GenSan who stowed away to Manila to box, to become the unprecedented eight-division title holder.
But that seems like a long time ago. His last match on Sunday was absent of the usual euphoria and buzz. The only thing eventful that day was that he lost. But the reactions were divided.
Loyal fans would rip officials and his opponent, the upstart Jeff Horn of cheating. But others see otherwise. It is Pacquiao who is cheating time.
The problem with boxers, even the great ones, is that they don't know when to hang their gloves and retire. Ali, Robinson, Duran, and our local legend Flash Elorde boxed and fought up to their late 30's and 40's until age and disease caught with them. There is concern that PacMan he might be doing this, fighting just for the love of it and for the big purse.
But aside from age, Pacquiao is no longer that same boxer that capture our hearts and imagination. His entry into politics and to professional basketball have made him more of a national punch of jokes.
He may have the heart and faith, but those things are divisive. His devout Christian faith may have steered him away from his old vices, but that faith also has stirred controversy for his beliefs against the LGBT community.
His heart for the poor is shown by his support of a legislation for wage increase and for his housing projects out of his own pocket. But that heart can be misguided, as his Senate performance is absent of good legislation or strong punching points on issues such as land reform, extrajudicial killings, Lumad rights. It is a strange time indeed, Pacquiao in this age of Duterte, tokhang and Martial Law, is reduced to being part of the administration posse.
Muhammad Ali in politics has done better, by foregoing his championship belt and his boxing license because of his refusal to join the Vietnam War. The Greatest lost the belt, but he had his legacy made.
But this is not to take away any of the accomplishments he has done for boxing and for the country. Winning eight titles in different eight divisions, and doing it with his unbelievable speed and flurry of punches will be legend. But that glory may fade if he doesn't protect himself from the claws of fame and politics.
In the boxing film Creed, an old Rocky Balboa played very well by Sylvester Stallone, pointed at Adonis Creed's reflection in the mirror during his training and said: "This guy you see here, that's the toughest opponent you'll ever gonna face. I thinks that's true in ring, that's true in life."
That's true for Pac-Man. His greatest opponent is how he sees himself.
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