Pacquiao. Our youth, and power shift

Pacquiao remains the center of most conversations among Filipinos until now. That was certainly a remarkable show of strength and determination on the part of the shorter, younger player vs. the taller, older opponent.

The Pacquiao-De la Hoya fight can serve as an inspiration for the youth of our land. The youth can reflect on the significance of the fight and the victory for Manny and the Filipinos.

Remember how all the bets were tipped in favor of the older de la Hoya over Manny? Many did not let this lopsided perception affect his winning style. Instead, he took this "dehado" perception as a challenge to prove his detractors wrong.

The youth hopefully can discern that even if the power is perceived to be with the older power wielders in this land, even if like Pacquiao, they may appear and be perceived as dehado inside the realm, the ringside of power, like Pacquiao, a determined and well-prepared fight from the youth can topple, can wrest power from the the overstaying older, power-wielding trapos. The 2010 elections may still be some time away but if the youth, like Pacquiao, want a power shift in this country, the youth can start planning out a peaceful and effective strategy and system, can start working out, with partners and supporters, especially among the numerous OFW voters, and with prayers as well, go on to make history like Pacquiao!

Prayers certainly accompanied Pacquiao to his new throne. In every Pacquiao fight, the streets all throughout the Philippines are literally abandoned, empty as most Filipinos stay home to prepare to watch the match of the century! For sure, many Filipinos included Manny in their prayers especially last Sunday!

Faith also brought Manny to that fight and to his victory. If he and his coach did not believe that they had even the slimmest of chance, if Manny as well as his mother did not believe that God will send His grace for that fight, there would have been no Manny inside that ring with De la Hoya that eventful Sunday.

This recent victory in the ring has made Manny even more ambitious. He is reported to be eager to retry, to reenter the ring of politics and come out a winner next time around. Whether the youth should be inspired about this move of Pacquiao or not, it is clear that even Pacquiao is not spared the euphoria, the perks that come with victory and power. Most power-wielders want more and more power and are insatiable, as history has shown.

 Manny seems to want more even as he already has what many will say is more than enough. At the peak of his present victory, he may be oblivious to the fact that his supporters as a boxer may not extend to politics. Our youth, hopefully, will see the break between Manny the determined boxer and Manny the politician wannabee.

Still and all, the over-all message especially for the youth can be if you wish for something to happen, you can work hard for it and aim for it with focus, determination, hard work, with partners and supporters, with prayers and faith.

Hopefully, the youth can filter that it is one thing to want to wrest power, it is also another matter to wrest power not for one's glory but for the nation. May the youth also discern that it is one thing to wrest power where one's strength and talents lie; it is altogether another matter to want power where one's gifts and talents and God's purpose may not match.

* * *

Email: [email protected]