The Pacman Prayer

Thank you for Manny Pacquiao.

Who singlehandedly lifts our nation and instills Pinoy pride.

For one brief moment, twelve rounds in all, we cheered together toward a single goal, sparring against a common adversity, setting aside our disputes and knocking out our differences. 

What a wonderful feeling to be one with all Filipinos. What a respite from the daily fare of political woes. 

If only we can make these rare moments last longer, our country might become a homeland of champions. 

We pray that Pacman understands that although he deserves a life of luxury from his hard-earned prize money, he must “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” [Matthew 22:21] 

BIR must do its job and collect the right percentage from his income. Even a hero must pay his dues, just like every unsung, civic-minded, hardworking citizen does. 

We ask that the attitude of self-entitlement often displayed by a handful of fellow-“Tongressmen,” does not contaminate him. That power does not corrupt him.

From his recently embraced spirituality, he must remember that, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48). 

Imagine how many children could have gone to school with the P12-million price tag of a Hermes bag, an alleged guilt-gift to forgive a sybarite past. Even in his beloved Gen San, hunger pangs cannot be eased by hometown pride.

We hope that Pacquiao’s next match will not be with Kim Henares, but with Floyd Mayweather. 

The undefeated champion is now cornered without any credible excuses left. Mayweather can no longer hide from destiny. He must fight an equal opponent to test whether his flawless record is full of easy wins.  

He must put his money where his mouth is and muster the courage to fight someone his size. Or forever be a giant in Liliput.

We wish that Manny’s family will endure as the wind beneath his wings. 

That Jinky and his children remain the source of his strength and inspiration, even as Mommy Dionisia entertains the nation with her stunts and antics.

Hopefully his children will be prepared to fight only in the ring of life, not in the school of hard knocks.

We pray that our champion’s spirituality grows alongside his physical and mental prowess. That he does not backslide to the machismo vices of the past and avoid the company he used to keep. That he can reconcile his sport with his faith.

May he understand that the trappings of material wealth alone do not define success. 

Enlighten Manny Pacquiao to be grateful for his exceptional God-given gifts and talents. And whereas all human beings are encouraged to be the best they can be, interests and desires do not always become core competencies. 

That’s why some famous stars who can’t carry a tune should sing only in their bathrooms; some chanteuses who have two left feet should dish out a ditty minus the complicated dance routine; some athletic hunks can cry out in pain from an injury but not in a scene from a dramatic movie; and champions should keep their titles in the sports arena without seeking another from politics.

Our country is grateful for the victories of Pacquiao. But Filipinos should discern that the gift of Pacman is not in the number of triumphs that he never fails to dedicate to his people. 

His greatest gift is showing the drive to win against all odds, the grit to rise again despite a beating, and most of all, the fortitude to turn failure into a comeback for success. May the fans emulate this awe-inspiring quality.

Keep Manny safe. May he never experience the damage from boxing, like Muhammad Ali and the other boxing greats.

Guide him so the “Pambansang Kamao” will know when to bow out and exit with grace.  

Thank you for Manny Pacquiao. Amen. – Rappler.com