Hail, Pacman.
The dangers to Manny

Manny Pacquiao won a convincing victory over Erik Morales. The referee declared a technical knockout when Morales literally crawled on his knees during the 10th round. I clearly remembered the comment by a radio commentator. Manny must come up with a convincing knockout if he wants to win the 12-round bout. He was hinting that he could be robbed on points had the boxing gone through the entire route.

Well, Many did it. And nobody could protest the referee's decision to halt it before Morales found even his life compromised by the punishing blows of Pacquiao.

No doubt everybody cheered for Manny, even those who were attending a convivence of the Bata Neo-Catechumenal community at the residence of Cecilia and Cora Henares yesterday. It took some time for the community leaders to summon back to prayers the excited Pacquiao fans.

The confirmation about that Pacquiao win was the loud shouts from fans along Lacson Street, a distance away from the Henares' residence. We had been informed about the radio report. But most of us needed that confirmation. The crowd's cheers affirmed the report.

The same cheering was evident among the much bigger audience of TV viewers at the Bacolod City Hall and those in the Bay Center and other TV viewing areas.

From Aparri to Jolo, millions of Pinoys watched the bout on TV. Millions more had their ears tuned to their radio sets.

And, as already evident and confirmed by US-based TV broadcasters, there were a lot of bigwigs from the Philippines at the Las Vegas boxing arena where the bout was held.

Among the top men beside Pacquiao was First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and his son, Rep. Mikey, from Pampanga.

Both Rep. Monico Puentevella and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia were also there. So with Ms. Ninfa, this paper's editor-in-chief.

But Leonardia had earlier pointed out that Pacquiao had picked up the tabs for his Las Vegas trip. In short, he had not dipped his hand into the city's till for that.

Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson gained a major write up by betting on Pacquiao. And there were others there like Senator Lito Lapid and a lot of top government and business officials from the Philippines had rushed to Las Vegas to boost Pacquiao.

Undoubtedly, praises were heaped on Manny. Pacman sort of gave credence to the claim of Pinoy Big Brother- "makakaya anything."

My own granddaughter, Bianca, Saturday kept singing that famous Pinoy Big Brother song, "Pinoy Ako," before boarding the PAL plane Saturday for Manila on the first leg of my sons, Rolando, and spouse Mercy, return to Ireland, with daughter, Daniella.

No doubt, Manny is receiving an avalanche of tribute. Both from his relatives, close friends, and supporters. There in lies the danger for Pacquiao. He suddenly finds himself surrounded by all kinds of new friends and many claiming to have part of this success.

He is considered a hero. Especially one with a pile of money. And there will always be the scavengers who will try to pick his pocket.

The only one I listened to who came up with a sound advice for Manny was Gov. Pinol. He said in a TV interview yesterday that he had cautioned the boxer to invest his money on wise ventures. He pointed out that Manny has only a limited time frame left in boxing.

He said Pacquiao had apparently listened to him. The boxer reportedly had invested some of his winnings in business ventures in Mindanao.

When one attains the stature of a "rich" national hero, he will never lack supporters and adulators. And one can very well be tempted to bask in glory and forget the values he had grown up with.

But there was an anecdote that caught my attention yesterday. Somebody criticized Pacquiao for brushing off somebody seeking his help for the victims of New Orleans. Pacquiao, however, rejected it pointing out that he had to attend to many more flood and disaster victims in this country.

That, I think, shows that the Pinoy boxer had his priorities correctly defined. Not that he did not want to help the New Orleans victims. But he realized that the local disaster victims have virtually been beset by meager resources and hints of donor fatigue. Including government neglect and apathy. This is where his help is more needed. Amen to that. And my salute to a Filipino hero.*

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