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The Pacmania has been sweeping the country in unity in paying tribute to a humble hero who has deeply moved the lives of innumerable Filipinos who watched his great victory over the 'El Terible' Eric Morales. On Jan. 27, the entire Filipino nation celebrate the homecoming of its very own boxing champion, Emmanuel 'Manny' Pacquaio.

The victory that the Filipinos celebrate crosses boundaries beyond this great triumph. It has penetrated a deeper and sensitive chord in the heart of every Filipino. It has re-awakened a series of positive emotions with extraordinary influence affecting leaders of the land with no less than President Gloria and First Gentleman Mike to the simplest, oldest policemen and even children as young as 3 years old.

What are the effects of Pacmania on the Filipino psyche?

First, it's unity. For the first time in Philippine history, it has been noted that there were no reports of political strime and crime on that historic Jan. 22 Sunday. Filipinos, from Aparri to Jolo, were glued to television screens in their homes or video satellites in significant public places. Journalists and politicians have realized that sports can become a unifying factor for our countrymen that have not yet out-grown the 'crab mentality' and the nation's need to move forward as a Dream Team if we are to achieve lasting peace and progress in this millennium.

Then, there is hope. Manny has rekindled the meaning of Hope in each of us -in whatever field or profession we find ourselves in. His HOPE formula consists of humility, hard work, perseverance and the will to win - against all odds.

Inspiration, too. Manny's victory proves that even if one falls or fails, there is always hope and a second chance, provided that the will to rise and redeem one's self-worth remains intact.

Manny did not strive for the title just for himself nor his family. His patriotism and love for country galvanized his motivation to regain the world's respect for the Filipino nation - in his own little way, as an outstanding boxer and sportsman.

When Manny came home, the nation received him with exuberant cheers fit for a hero's welcome. Another kind of celebration took place simultaneously in the hearts of lives that have been deeply affected by the Miraculous Infant Jesus de Providencia. It marked the last series of many celebrations held all over the country in honor of the famous Sto. Niño who has endeared Himself to countless Filipinos from all walks of life.

Lorna Gonzales, who owns the original statue that has been shedding miraculous oil since 1992, has numerous testimonies of miraculous cures and prayers answered from pilgrims who have visited the shrine for many different seasons.

I believe nothing happens 'by chance', especially when two significant events occur on the same day - as the Feast day of the Miraculous Infant Jesus and the victorious return of the boxing hero.

"What's the connection?" you ask.

Amid the graft and corruption that seems to have become a natural part of our country's way of doing things, how else can God speak to us but in a language we can understand? If prayer is understood only by people about to die or suffocating from financial or emotional crisis, then how does God come through all the bickering and in-fighting that we have grown accustomed to for so long If the magic of EDSA's unity has now been shattered into hundreds of different agenda, what does it take to grab the Filipino's full attention?

God has a sense of humor. He uses a boxing match to mirror to ourselves what we are actually doing amongst us - whether we're at home, at school, work or wherever people are gathered, only to keep disagreeing among ourselves for so many reasons when the awful truth is" trouble only brews from a single source with a single letter called "I" - or the ego.

There are some parallels between many and the Sto. Niño. Both have humble beginnings. Both were destined with a mission. Both had the courage, commitment and will to fulfill their life purpose here on earth.

The Sto. Niño, or Jesus, came to save us from sin and thus, we regained our birth right to be called God's children and enter Heaven someday. Manny simply did his best as a boxer. Meanwhile, he may not have realized that God would use him to regain the Filipinos' self-respect in the eyes of the world, and, moreover, 'knock' some sense into our psyche as a people to unite and get out acts together if we want to maintain that self-respect before the world and within ourselves as individuals.

Manny is the nickname for 'Emmanuel'. And 'Emmanuel' means "God is among us". Fr. Bernard defined it even more succinctly: "I shall be there, as Who I Am shall be there."

The Sto. Niño from cultural and religious practices or actual experience of His Miraculous Presence, simply reminds us of the need to rediscover the Inner Child within ourselves. It is this Child, our true and higher selves - that will lead us to attain our greatest potential as individuals - just as clearly as Manny had manifested to the nation in his chosen field as a boxer.

The sto. Niño further reminds us through Manny - also known as Emmanuel -- that "God is amidst us" and that He will see us through all our struggles her on earth.

Emmanuel is a symbol of hope, better times and things to come despite life's trials provided we allow the true Inner Child within us to come forth and be led by God, instead of our worldly selves. The Sto. Niño invites each of us to walk the same path as Manny - in humility of character, hard work and determination to reach the star of our greater destiny as individuals and, consequently, as a nation we can truly be proud of -with God's grace and mercy.

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