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Thursday, 19 November 2009 06:55 |
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If by "critics" you were referring to those who doubted his pugilistic skills,
well, anybody who disputes the achievements of Pacquiao IN BOXING is an idiot.
Pacquiao appears to be the best in his seven divisions that even the U.S.
Secretary of State declared (whether she was serious or was just pandering to a
host nation) that Pacman will win against Cotto. And Pacquico did. Admirably.
He deserved the adulation, not just of his countrymen but of the world. He put
the Philippines on the world spotlight. The sight of him holding the Philippine
flag before a worldwide audience can - ought to - make any red blooded Filipino
break into prideful tears, at least in spirit if not in actual tears.
But that does not mean Pacquiao is Superman who is super in both mind and body.
Outside boxing Pacman has imperfections that share the spotlight with his
celebrity status. When his popularity is being exploited for political purposes
by others - or by him, himself - criticisms NOT RELATED TO BOXING are bound to
surface since Philippine politics is possibly the most unpleasant facet of
contemporary Philippine society. Voters have often elected people based on
popularity for achievements OTHER than their experience in governance or
management.
When the City of Manila prepared an official welcome for Pacman after one of his
victories abroad he snubbed the preparations just because he was not politically
allied with the then current mayor. And Pacquiao has been reputed to have
girlfriends aside from his pretty wife. There were reports about him having
sired an illegitimate child. Whether those are true or not his fans should not
shelter him from criticsm. That is hypocrisy. It is none of their business, to
begin with.
Speaking of hypocrisy, the apparent toleration of promiscuity of celebrities is
totally contrary to the supposed moral behavior of a predominantly Catholic
population. Even a convicted former president known for his adulteries has still
a threatening popularity.
Anyway it is up to Pacman, and not up to his drooling, fanatic fans (that
include politicians trying to hitch to his popular wagon) to defend himself or
disprove stuff leveled against him. Or he ought to apologize if the criticisms
hold water.
Fred Natividad
Livonia, Michigan
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