The Perfect Drug?
Like probably most folks, I did watch the Pacquiao-Dela Hoya fight. As much as I was happy that he did win, and convincingly from a boxing perspective, I couldn't help but think about some things while watching it.
First off, our adulation of Pacquiao is such already, that he has become our country's drug of choice. Allow me to elaborate: we're so hard up economically, our political situation's a mess, our politicians are even worse, we're desperate for anything. So when Pacquiao wins, we're high on his victory, boasting of Pinoy pride for maybe two weeks. Then when the news cycle ends, we're back to where we started. It's an unfortunate fix that we can't seem to get out off. Do we consider ourselves so low, that when the Charice and Pacquiaos of this world give us some form of recognition, our country hops on to their bandwagons hanging on for dear life?
Our dear politicians and even our media feed off this frenzy, obviousy posturing with Pacquiao when he wins, singing our country's praises and acting as if they had a hand with his victory. Until of course the junkets start being "investigated" then they all turn Pontius Pilate on us. I suggest that we put THEM in the ring and let's see how they'd fare against each other. The winners would face those practically begging Pacquiao to run for office, MMA style even. I could imagine them saying how he would "KO" corruption in our country. Yeah, right.
Speaking of the media, can our sportscasters practice justalittlebit partiality? No harm in rooting for the countryman, but they acted like De La Hoya was some two-bit boxer with no chance in life. Don't get me started on the lines they were saying, practically falling out of their seats in worship of Pacquiao. I was expecting them to burst into tears after the fight. I didn't want a Pacquiao loss of course, but I would wonder how they would react and the histrionics that would have followed if that happen:
# 1: That was a travesty, not right at all!
# 2: I agree, Pacquiao was robbed! He gave it everything he got, but it was taken away from him!
Something along those lines. Maybe that's why when they do the NBA Finals, our volume is on mute. A little sense of professionalism and decorum is all I ask.
I do respect Pacquiao, and I think he's a great boxer. That's what he's good, and the pride he's given our country is there. But if we're going to rely on him alone for us to feel good, then we need to stop and evaluate ourselves. I mean look, people are foregoing church already for him. It's as if praying for his victory would ease our guilt over that one. Let's all recognize and credit him for his victory. But let's not go overboard with all the hype and focus on how our country can live through these difficult times.
First off, our adulation of Pacquiao is such already, that he has become our country's drug of choice. Allow me to elaborate: we're so hard up economically, our political situation's a mess, our politicians are even worse, we're desperate for anything. So when Pacquiao wins, we're high on his victory, boasting of Pinoy pride for maybe two weeks. Then when the news cycle ends, we're back to where we started. It's an unfortunate fix that we can't seem to get out off. Do we consider ourselves so low, that when the Charice and Pacquiaos of this world give us some form of recognition, our country hops on to their bandwagons hanging on for dear life?
Our dear politicians and even our media feed off this frenzy, obviousy posturing with Pacquiao when he wins, singing our country's praises and acting as if they had a hand with his victory. Until of course the junkets start being "investigated" then they all turn Pontius Pilate on us. I suggest that we put THEM in the ring and let's see how they'd fare against each other. The winners would face those practically begging Pacquiao to run for office, MMA style even. I could imagine them saying how he would "KO" corruption in our country. Yeah, right.
Speaking of the media, can our sportscasters practice justalittlebit partiality? No harm in rooting for the countryman, but they acted like De La Hoya was some two-bit boxer with no chance in life. Don't get me started on the lines they were saying, practically falling out of their seats in worship of Pacquiao. I was expecting them to burst into tears after the fight. I didn't want a Pacquiao loss of course, but I would wonder how they would react and the histrionics that would have followed if that happen:
# 1: That was a travesty, not right at all!
# 2: I agree, Pacquiao was robbed! He gave it everything he got, but it was taken away from him!
Something along those lines. Maybe that's why when they do the NBA Finals, our volume is on mute. A little sense of professionalism and decorum is all I ask.
I do respect Pacquiao, and I think he's a great boxer. That's what he's good, and the pride he's given our country is there. But if we're going to rely on him alone for us to feel good, then we need to stop and evaluate ourselves. I mean look, people are foregoing church already for him. It's as if praying for his victory would ease our guilt over that one. Let's all recognize and credit him for his victory. But let's not go overboard with all the hype and focus on how our country can live through these difficult times.
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