CARREO by Rolando S. Luzong
Peoples Tonight (November 7,, 2009)
A ‘Sabungero’ in the Cover of Times Magazine!!!
Time Magazine’s latest issue has our very own Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao on its cover – the first time a Filipino is featured since 1986 when Cory Aquino landed in Time’s front page, right after Ferdinand Marcos was toppled.
Pacquiao is also only the 9th boxer ever presented as the cover story of the highly-respected periodical in its long history. Boxers as top story are Patrick Dempsey – 1923; James Tunney – 1926; Max Schmelling – 1929; Primo Carnera – 1921; Joe Louis – 1941; Sugar Ray Robinson – 1951; Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) – 1953; Muhammad Ali & Joe Frazier – 1971; Muhammad Ali – 1979; Mike Tyson – 1988 and Manny Pacquiao – 2009. Ali being the most colorful boxer of all times, appeared three times.
As a Filipino, I am extremely proud, but as someone who belongs to the sabong community in the country, I am doubly delighted because of the fact that Manny is one of us. Manny being a sabungero is Manny’s nature being a true Filipino. Excuse the language, but that’s the truth. 1 out 10 Pinoys are either a cockfighter, have a job that is directly or indirectly related to cockfight or has a relative, friend, neighbor or acquaintance who is involved in cockfighting.
Every Filipino knows Manny Pacquiao and is aware about Manny’s fondness for sabong. In fact, when Manny won solo championship of the P550K-entry-fee Pacman Big Event Derby in San Juan Coliseum early this year, witnesses related that Manny was so happy and honored that he was even hugging and kissing the trophy that he received.
As a Filipino father, I patiently explain to my sons what Pacquiao has achieved, not only for himself, but also for our country and how much obstacles he had to overcome before he was able to achieve what he has accomplished.
Don’t look now, but it must be realized that the lone congressional seat of Saranggani province is looming to be a must-see political bout next year between Pacquiao – the boxer-cocker and the Chiongbians - a family of cockfighters with the late Congressman James Chiongbian being one of the most revered Filipino sabungero ever. I wonder who the sabungeros of Saranggani will vote.
When Manny was the cover story of Reader’s Digest, I bought two copies of the same issue of Digest for the first time. Now, I think I just have to have a copy of Time Magazine’s Pacman edition just to have a part of history.
Congratulations Manny, I just wish that the honor bestowed by Time Magazine adds more speed and power to your punches. Don’t deny us the prospect of watching silencing the blabber-boxer that is Floyd Mayweather, Jr., get Cotoo out of the way on November 14.
NFGB MEDICAL
The scheduled medical mission of the National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders on November 15 in the Malasique Coliseum in Malasique, Pangasinan has been moved earlier to Nov. 14 (Saturday), while the one set at the San Mateo Cockpit in
If you are wondering why, just think what’s happening on November 15 and you’ll understance why. Anyway, it’s not because the NFGB people or the doctors can not be available because of the Pacquiao-Cotto fight, but because it is feared that the people that NFGB would like to help will not be able to come because they will be glued to their televisions watching the bout.
Unilab will be donating medicines, for and in behalf of the Univet Nutriton & Animal Healthcare Company – owner of Thunderbird Power Feeds and Thunderbird Power Vet.
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