Sucker Punch and why there is no more reason for a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather part two

Floyd Mayweather just offered Manny Pacquiao a rematch. Yah, after that disastrous May 2 bout touted as a "fight of the century". If that is the "fight of the century", the one that people, boxing and non-boxing fans waited for five long years, a rematch, a repeat is simply, well, stretching our already depleted patience much too much.

But of course, after a year, most people would forget and probably forgive Manny Pacquiao for not telling the people that he's fighting Floyd in his sixty percent, or that Floyd intends to dance his way to the bank. Twelve months are enough for Mayweather promotions and Top Rank promotions to get things heated again, what with their armoury of media outlets out to convince us to watch the real thing a year from now and just forget that May 2 sing and dance routine.

And just like before, they would heat this up to a frenzy and again, Pacquiao's camp would tell all Filipinos everywhere that "he's doing this fight for the Filipino" or what ever pseudo-nationalist rant his publicist would invent and we'll sing along with him, more like before, when he sings out of tune and the rest sang like him too.

And while he sings and makes us believe that he's 100 and 1 percent fit to fight, here comes fight night and we'll all see him struggling once more, a morsel of a shell of the once great Filipino fighter we saw ourselves with several years ago. That's too much refrain. And for fighting like a tweed, Manny gets his billions while we all suffer from his sucker punch.

Enough already, we have been fooled for so long already. Manny is not fighting for this country, oh no. When he entered the ring first time, he fought for himself. When he entered the ring many times after that, it was all about money and more money and nothing of fighting for anybody there but himself. Aside from the momentary spell we got under while he fights for money, there is nothing more to get out of it that really changed our lives for the better. That, too, is a sucker punch because we were robbed of our precious pesos, money that we're supposed to save up for dinner.

Enough already that we're victims of this vicious gambling mafia or that Ilocos sur governor Chavit Singson is the only one who sings a mighty tune everytime Manny fights win or lose. The fact really is, there is simply no reason why we will even, ever think of a repeat of that May 2 debacle. These two fellas have enriched themselves at our expense and for all these years that we believed them and hoped that they will fight like men, they are simply creatures of the system, and they will never ever fight like men because they are simply businessmen in shorts and leather boots.

I admire Floyd for telling us the unvarnished truth at the very start--this is all about money, not a fight between good and evil and definitely, definitely, not a fight between Filipinos and Americans. There is even No God involved here, only the Mammon.

Floyd for me, is a better man (sorry Pacman), for telling us the truth, and not fooling us every single time that he's doing it for the country. Hey, I admire Floyd that he tells us he's doing it for himself, for the money that goes with it. Pacquiao is simply unacceptable. He's a guy who tries to make us believe that he's a patriot when all he does is disappoint us every single time.

Manny is the worse Congressman ever by being the top of the list of legislators with the most absences. Ask me one bill that he sponsored to law, and you'll get to wrack your brains for nothing. He's sponsoring kids to school? Yeah, and whose money is he using?

Manny's sucker punch is most telling and most painful. It pains us because its a fellow Filipino whose doing the fakery or the "fuckery" as what my Amy Winehouse used to describe such shit.

Possible outcome of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Fight of the Century

Many have commented about this fight and the entire boxing universe is somewhat divided over who will win between Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. May weather Jr may not be his usual boastful self and there is a seriousness in the face of the American boxer but we will never know what's in his diabolical mind. We see a very confident Pacquiao but we don't know what really is the feeling of the Pacman. Is he compensating for the doubts in his mind? Yes, he probably completed his training but how about his emotional state?

What I am certain though is this:

1. Pacman will win this fight. This is for the good of the boxing world. A defeat thru unanimous decision which will be in favour of Mayweather will end boxing's richest fight. However, a Pacman win will lead to a Pacman vs. Mayweather II and III, to the delight of both Mayweather and Top Rank promotions. If Pacman wins, this match will not be the richest fight ever. A repeat would surely outclass, outbid and outscore the first one.

2.  It is highly unlikely for Mayweather to agree for a rematch if he wins. He will surely set his sights at other boxers such as Algieri or other younger fighters. Meanwhile, a loss will convince Pacquiao to retire.

3. If this bout goes the distance and the Pacman inflicts major harm to Mayweather Jr. a rematch will never ever happen. May weather Jr. would surely win if this goes the distance.

4. Is Pacman capable of knocking out Mayweather Jr? Yes, but it will not happen in the early rounds. It will happen when Mayweather tires himself out maybe in the seventh or eighth rounds. The Pacman has survived 11 to 12 rounds before while Mayweather, well, yes, but not all of his fights went the distance. Depending on his conditioning, but Mayweather Jr. will surely opt for an early knockout instead of going the distance because he knows that the Pacman gets deadlier as the fight progresses.

Paxman would surely not force the issue with Mayweather Jr and will not choose to knock the American boxer out in the early rounds. May weather Jr is a great counterpuncher. Pacquiao is prone or has the tendency of forcing himself and committing monumental and very costly mistakes in the past. When Marquez knocked the Pacman out, the reason was, Pacman opened himself up which allowed Marquez to sneak a strong punch in. This same thing could happen in this fight if the Pacman becomes overeager.

5. Is Mayweather capable of knocking out Pacman? Yes. The Pacman has been knocked out before. An overeager Pacman would be a disaster because Mayweather is an intelligent boxer. He has a very strong counterpunch. If Pacman decides to come in and initiates a rough fight, Mayweather is expected to respond in a very strong manner.

The main problem of Pacman is Mayweather's agility. May weather knows how to distance himself and use his much longer reach to his advantage. His jabs may not be as strong as Pacman's yet he is capable of unleashing them at the right time and the right place so to speak. Mayweather Jr knows where it hurts and that's why he is a body puncher as well.

Floyd Mayweather morose, Manny Pacquiao smiling

Look at the photos of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and he looks very serious. Compare these to his former photos with different boxers and he's always smiling and sometimes, threatening. With Manny Pacquiao, he's not smiling and even avoided commenting negatively against the Filipino boxing superstar.

Alam o me feeling kaya lang amerikanong boksingero na matatalo siya ke Pacman?

Pacquiao at six: Killer Instincts Regained

He says he feels that he's just starting. At 35 years old, and nearly 15 years of boxing, and Manny Pacquiao feels he's stronger and has regained the fighting form he once had when he was 25.

This is good to hear. Pacquiao has been criticized for losing his killer instincts. In his previous fights, Manny is often seen fidgeting and even wtihdrawing his punches whenever he sees his opponent hurt.  In previous entries, I have noted how Pacquiao has lost that animal instinct in him, that's why we see a mellower, and "kinder" boxer.

For that, Pacquiao lost most of his titles. Tomorrow, the former world pound-for-pound boxer will try to regain the glory he once had.

Some say, when Pacquiao transformed himself into a renewed Christian, out came his desire to hurt other people. Credit that to wrongful teaching by some of the Christian "pastors" that preached to him.

Killing someone is not ungodly for as long as God allows you to. Hurting someone when it is God's will is true Christianity, because you are just obeying the will of God.

Biblical heroes such as Saul, and even David slew thousands of people during their lifetimes. They did these without any misgivings because they were doing it "in accordance with God's will."

Previous to them, Joshua and even Moses ordered the slaughter of entire races because it was God who ordered them to. Samson, the mythical super human who, like Jesus, was born thru virgin birth, killed many by just using his bare hands. Again, his killings were all in the name of God.

Every fighter out there survives his every bout because he maintains himself at the level of a killer. For a boxer to avoid being hurt, he must "kill" his opponent in the fastest time possible, meaning he must knock out his opponent even at the first round, so that that person will not be able to hurt him anymore.

When Pacquiao decided to be kind to his opponent, he disobeyed God. God wants him to be His fighter.

By tomorrow, we will see if indeed, Pacquiao has regained most of the fantastic form God gave him in the first place.

Tax exemption for Manny Pacquiao? Wow

Some legislators have filed a bill seeking to exempt boxing champ Manny Pacquiao jr. from paying taxes. The argument is this--he's a national hero, he deserves an exemption from taxes.

Okey. Fine. The only question is---so what if he's a national hero? And who said that he is?

Fact is, if you're a national hero, you should be an example, a model to all Filipinos. And the first duty of a true Filipino hero, is payment of taxes. Pacquiao should be the first one to pay his taxes, to set an example to everyone.

Honestly, why is Pacquiao a national hero? Did he risked his life for millions of us? No. He risked his life for those millions of dollars which promoters pay him.

Fact is, Manny risked his life willfully because boxing is his profession. It is his choice. I would believe him as a national hero if, in every fight, he gives his prize to either charity or to the rehabilitation of devastated areas in this archiepelago.

The only thing that made him a national hero is when people forget all their problems when he fights. So, that makes him a hero?

Manny Pacquiao jr is a hero to the elites of this country. Why? Because Pacquiao saves them every single time he fights. Imagine, millions of Filipinos nearly forgot about PDAF and Janet Lim-Napoles when he fought Rios.

Someone would say that Pacquiao represents the struggle of the Filipino. True. But, is that enough to be considered a hero?

Think--whenever Pacquiao ascends the ring, he is not fighting for the country, he is fighting for the prize, that's the truth.

The true heroes are those soldiers who fight intruders, the rebels who fight for their beliefs, the scientists and the honest government employees working to set things right in the bureaucracy, the OFW who work their asses off just to send monies to their families. Are you saying they should also be exempt from taxes?

The Village of the Damned---rich yet condemned

I remember how the board of that ultra exclusive subdivision rejected the membership application of superstar boxer Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao is a certified billionaire. The former pan de sal baker turned the world's best pound for pound boxer made his billions knocking out brash and sassy men in baggy shorts. It seems too easy, but ask the man, and his handlers, and they'll tell you that it is not as easy as it looks. Manny Pacquiao gave his all, even sacrificed his own life, just to earn those billions.

Pacquiao deserves being one of the country's most successful and when he bought that palatial home in our country's version of Beverly Hills 9210, he most certainly deserves membership. Unfortunately, our rich men think and still behave like their Spanish and American ancestors. Our rich men are still snobs.

I don't know how they welcomed Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged businesswoman being linked to the 10 billion high profile thievery at the House. Was she made a member of that ritzy, exclusive enclave of the rich? Probably. Napoles probably thought that she already had what it takes to become a member. She's a billionaire. She has a successful business. She has US properties, tons of cash in her personal vault and lots more deposited in several banks, not to mention, probably even stocks.

Most certainly, Napoles was accepted. And I think this is not surprising.

As they say, like minds attract. Who lives in those places except those who can stomach getting extra tons of cash from projects which perpetuate misery and poverty to their fellow men?

Who lives in those places except those who can swallow the fact that their companies charge extra from their Pinoy consumers and charge them even more for services which the hapless Pinoy consumer did not even use?

Who lives in those places except those whose ancestors took away and occupied hundreds of hectares of land from indigenous tribes and soaked their hands with their blood?

Who lives in those palatial houses except those blood thirsty hounds who smell blood and opportunity every single time hundreds die due to calamities caused by defective drainage systems, bad roads, etal?

Who lives in those empty pearly white mansions except those whose hearts are splashed with darkness by the cries of hundreds of young Filipinos working their mines and some, dying from hunger.

Worse, these people have the gall to require us to pay them homage, like semi-gods dominating a blighted land?

Napoles and her family can flaunt their wealth. General Carlos Garcia's hyperventilating son can flaunt his. Someday, somehow, the God of Justice will descend upon them and will cut their heads and display them on a plastic China-made plate.

Pacquiao showing signs of Parkinson's?

Dr. Rustico Jimenez a neurologist, thinks that Manny Pacquiao is suffering from an early case of Parkinson's disease, the same ailment now afflicting super great boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

Jimenez noticed frequent twitching of the Pacman's hands, an early sign of the disease. Parkinson's is a disease associated with trauma in the head. Another doctor, Dr. Fortun, says that there is also a possibility that Pacquiao will eventually contract Alzheimer's disease, an affliction which leads to dementia.

Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, has insisted that Pacquiao treats himself in a neurologist clinic in California to determine his true condition.

Whatever is the Pacquiao's true medical condition, one thing is sure---that knockdown begins an inevitable downward spiral which will eventually lead to Pacquiao's retirement.

Why Pacquiao lost

Many people asked why Pacquiao lost in his fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. There is one simple explanation--he's tired. Even before his losing fight with Timothy Bradley, many people have noticed that Pacquiao seemed to have lost strength. He's just 33 years old, but it is quite evident in his face--he's so tired.

I asked some people close to him and they all agreed with what I observed. Manny is not the old Manny we know--full of confidence, energy and strength of character. Right now, he's seemed to have mellowed dramatically that it now affects his performance in the ring.

Let me trade you a secret---trainers train their boxers to become killers. For you to become a very strong and very lethal fighter, you need to unleash your animal instincts. Studies show that fighters have increased testosterone levels. Its explainable since increased levels protect you from the devastating punches and increases your defensive instincts as well.

To achieve "fighting form", you need not just do physical training--but psychological preparations as well. Physical training is half the battle. As I said in previous entries, boxing is both a science and an art. Science comes in in that part of physical training. You need science to achieve peak or maximum physical form. You need to be physically strong to absorb the effects of strong punches. You need extra energy to survive every single round. You need speed to avoid punches and create openings for you to hit your opponent.

Power, strength and speed--those are the three basic combinations that a boxer should have to excel in this sport. These things can be achieved through rigorous physical training.

Now, executing strategy is the art in this sport. The artist in the boxer shows when he unleashes those punches. You need psychological preparation to do the art. You need a higher presence of mind for you to be able to know the strategy of your opponent and counter it. Without this, physical preparation comes to naught.

When Pacquiao ascended the ring, he went there probably physically prepared but mentally unprepared. He probably knew the strategy of his opponent Juan Manuel Marquez which is come out and fight.

Noticed how Marquez bulked up because he wanted nothing more than put more power in his punches. That was evident in the third round when Marquez unleashed a right which floored Pacquiao.

That should have been noticed by the corner---that Marquez had the power to knock Pacquiao out. Noticed Marquez's biceps--it was bigger than before. Marquez was in top physical conditioning and worse, Marquez was also psychologically prepared to knock Pacquiao out to achieve one single thing---glory.

Marquez had two things which Pacquiao did not have when they both ascended the ring---physical and psychological conditioning. Marquez had one goal---knock him out. In Pacquiao's mind, nothing. He just wanted to survive 12 rounds and earn a decision.

This explains why Pacquiao lost.

Pacquiao intimated his desire to fight again. Well, let me blunt---if Pacquiao ascends the ring with the same skills, the same practice and the same conditioning like this---he will definitely lose again.

However, if Pacquiao wants to regain old glory before retirement, and will focus on boxing than politics or religion, then, he will definitely regain it and become a champion.

As things stand now, with all these people around him, Pacquiao is a losing proposition.

Marquez knocks Pacquiao cold

I was not surprised at all that Juan Manuel Marquez knocked our Pambansang Kamao, Manny Pacquiao. I had it in my gut that Manny would not win this time. I saw several significant changes in Pacquiao during his last fight with Timothy Bradley. The Pacman that the world adored and loved because of his tenacity has substantially changed.

For a substantial discussion of why I believe that the Pacman should re-assess his situation and why he was knocked down, go to my new site http://peepeeps.com. I'll write this in a while.

ON calls that Pacman hangs his gloves up, I do not agree. Pacquiao is still good for two more fights.

Pacquiao loses to Bradley: Analysis

In boxing, it is not the strong punches that only counts--it is all those punches which one dishes out and that connects. In the Pacquiao-Bradley fight, there is reasonable reason to accept the judges' verdict.


First, it is noticeable in the fight that Pacquiao was not engaging Bradley the same way he did in his early fights. Pacquiao was actually asking Bradley to go near him and engage, something which did not happen in his previous bouts. One explanation was he was suffering from a bruised or sore heel. Fact is, before the fight started, Pacquiao's camp asked for extra time because the former champ was still fixing his heel problem.


The first two bouts were Bradley's. In the scorecard, Bradley won seven rounds compared to just five for Pacquiao. I think even the twelfh round, Bradley got it because of the sheer number of blows he unleashed against Pacquiao.


Pacquiao on the other hand, was quite complacent. He was overly trusting that, even if he only last twelve rounds, he'll win. Well, this is why you should not overly trust your promoter.


I also noticed that the patented killer instinct was not evident in Pacquiao in this fight. It was all theatrics. It was also in this fight that Pacquiao was praying every, single round. Why was he praying every, single round? He was not the killer boxer that he was known for in this fight. 


When a boxer loses his killer instinct, he is surely entering the ebb of his career. The reason why most fighters are brawlers is simply explained by the sheer level of testosterone in his system. In this fight, it seemed that Pacquiao had lost the will to fight or finish off his opponents.


IN this fight, Pacquiao was not as fast as before. Yes, he still has those lightning fast blows and jabs, but he was somewhat dragging his other feet when he was fighting. 


This dragging of the feet indicates a lost of power in his blows and jabs. Every boxing expert knows that the power you actually put in your fists comes from the ground up. When you are imbalanced, you loses power in your fists. That explains why Pacquiao was not able to unleash or finish off Bradley.


There were many instances where the Pacman stung Bradley but these were not enough to really finish him off. Two factors: one, Pacman's center of balance was off and two, Bradley's defenses shielded him from those powerful left straights and hooks. 


With all these, I think the judgment was fair. Bradley won due to his defenses, and the sheer number of jabs and blows which he connected. It was not a convincing win, but it is a victory nonetheless. 


This fight is a watershed in the life of the Pambansang Kamao. He should think and meditate. 

Pacquiao-Bradley fight--who will prevail?

Manny Pacquiao said that he needs this fight to prove that he is still the world's best pound for pound boxer. He vows to knock out undefeated American boxer Timothy Bradley. An orthodox boxer, Bradley has never been knocked out in his career. The Pacman, however, had suffered from three.


Bradley vows to erase the myth of the Pacman as the world's best pound for pound. 


The thing about Bradley is, he is quick, fast in counter-punches and is known to throw strong punches as well. Manny on the other hand, is a lefty, and is reputed to be one of the most scientific boxers around. 


Defeating Bradley will require more than just science, since Bradley has a strong jaw. You need sheer power and strength. You need brutal force to inflict damage. There is a belief that Pacman has now become soft, after becoming a "Christian preacher". Will this affect his performance?


Pacman must be more than aggressive here. He must charge and be a brawler. If he does not engage and does not brawl, Pacman will have a hard time getting close to Bradley and inflict damage. Bradley has a good chance here.


If Pacquiao prevails on this one, there is no stopping a Pacquiao-Mayweather Jr fight come November or April of next year.

Manny Pacquiao, religion and taxes

I was surprised to see Manny Pacquiao sharing his reported religious conversion. A few days prior, he was at this presscon, calling for the resignation of a lowly BIR director. He alleged that he paid the right taxes. He also thinks that it was "double taxation", that he was taxed abroad and taxed here for the second time. He believes that his earnings abroad should be taxed just once--in the United States. 


This is what I meant by always believing in the things which these "famous" people say. Remember, Pacquiao always proclaim that he's fighting for the people, that he is fighting not for money, but for glory. 


Now, here we are, seeing him trying to protect his decision not to pay taxes for the second time, after he being charged of taxes abroad. If you're really fighting for the glory of this country, you should not mind if government wants a slice of your earnings, because that's what the law requires.


Pacquiao invited top-notch tax lawyers to defend himself from accusations of tax evasion. For one, government is not accusing him of evading his tax obligations---the BIR just wants him to reveal all his documents and submit these to the proper authorities for the correct computation of his taxes. Everyone who earns income is being taxed, since it is the sworn duty of any citizen to give taxes to government. 


Jesus Christ, when he was alive, was asked by the Pharisees and the Sadducees about taxes. Jesus Christ answered in a very simple way--give to Caesar what is due him and give to God what is due to God. 


Religious conversion is not for those who just want people to think that they are more than what they really are. Conversion is dead serious. Conversion should be honest.

Fight as Manny Pacquiao in Pound for Pound, with special promotion with FreeAppADay.com, today only!

New Action Fighting Game Hits the Apple App Store, with special promotion with FreeAppADay.com, today only! 

Karkadann Games announced that its debut action fighting game Manny Pacquiao: Pound for Pound is now available to download for free as a special promotion with FreeAppADay.com. Normally a $2.99 download, the promotion is a one-time only event taking place for a limited time only, a great way for the millions of Manny Pacquiao fans worldwide to spend the holidays fighting as the beloved international superstar. Pound for Pound is now available as a universal app for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices, downloadable now for free from the App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/manny-pacquiao-pound-for-pound/id474156877?mt=8

Featuring 3D-rendered graphics, accessible game mechanics, and a deep storyline, Pound for Pound sends Manny into the underground fighting pits in search of a kidnapped friend. Execute Manny’s legendary combination of pummeling punches in the fight against corruption and evil, using an arsenal of martial arts fighting techniques and combos. Accessible controls will have gamers  swiping the screen in various directions to unleash and dodge attacks as they battle their way through an army of minions and bosses. Gaining experience  unlocks skill points and item upgrades that will improve Manny’s fighting power and help gamers progress through increasingly difficult challenges.

Key features of Manny Pacquiao: Pound for Pound:

·         Fight as the world-famous Manny Pacquiao in this action-packed fighting game for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

·         Use touchscreen actions and gestures to unleash Manny’s arsenal of lethal punches and kicks.

·         Fight against minions, mini-bosses, and bosses who increase in difficulty as the game progresses.

·         Guide Manny in his crusade for justice and experience artistically vivid environments with an immersive storyline.

·         Engage in a combat-oriented experience, leveling Manny as you progress through challenging and intense battles.

·         Upgrade Manny’s attributes as you gain experience and increase in level, all while customizing him with items that improve fighting power and different clothes to make him look the way you want.

·         Integration with Game Center for unlockable achievements and score leaderboards.

  

A press kit for Manny Pacquiao: Pound for Pound may be downloaded here (60MB).

For more information, visit:

·         Website: www.p4pgame.com

·         Facebook: www.facebook.com/Manny.Pacquiao.P4P.game

·         Twitter: www.twitter.com/P4Pgame

·         YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/P4Pkarkadanngames

Manny Pacquiao: Pound for Pound is also being developed for Android and Facebook, with more information coming soon. 

Marital spat breaking the Pacquiaos?

Manny Pacquiao seemed troubled and not in his element when he fought Juan Manuel Marquez. Speculations are rife. An incident happened before the fight. Or, at least two incidents, according to sportsman Chino Trinidad.


Pacquiao had a vicious spat with wife Jinkee, who arrived a day before the fight. Many thought the spat involved money. Sources say the Pacquiaos are losing money, and fast. That explains why Manny filed a suit against his former accountants.


Strange too that his mother, Dionesia, was no where when Manny was slugging it out with Marquez. She did not grant any interviews nor was seen in the Pacquiao residence today.


Alex Ariza, Pacquiao's trainer, is reportedly "out" of Manny's camp. Seems like there's trouble over the Pacquiaos camp. Money troubles and news of Manny's romantic indiscretions are spreading fast. 

Pacquiao wins against Marquez via Unanimous Decision

It was'nt what the Pacman camp predicted or expected. And I believe that even the camp of challenger Juan Manuel Marquez did not think that it will really go the distance. Blame it on Marquez's excellent fight plan.


Yes, Manny won this one, but personally, I have to give this to Juan Manuel Marquez. Marquez discovered the antidote against the Pacman. Floyd the blabber mouth Mayweather Jr. probably watched the fight, and like everyone else, discovered the Pacquiao's weaknesses. This fight may convince the blabber mouth to accept a fight with the Pacman soon. 


This fight also proved one thing--the Pacman has reached his maximum limit. His last few fights have been below par with his earlier fights in this division. When he was dominating the lightweight division, Pacquiao has the stopping power in his punches. Now, he delivers punches, yes, faster than what he did when he was a lightweight. Yet, the sting was not there anymore. Look at his fights prior to this, and you'll know why his opponents go the distance--the sting is not as lethal as before.


Without the power in his punches, Manny is susceptible to a jack punch or even a strong left or right hook or even a chin busting uppercut. If you look at the tape, you'll notice that Manny leaves his chin open whenever his opponent attacks him. If the opponent does an uppercut chances are, it connects. A short uppercut may do the trick the next time Manny fights, and if you know what I mean, that will spell trouble for the pound for pound king.


At 32, some say, Manny is still "peaking". I say, Manny Pacquiao already peaked. He should reconsider his earlier decision to retire from boxing because Arestain already knows how to counter the Pacman. 

On Manny Pacquiao fighting for the glory of the Philippines in his every fight---crap

Fighting for the country's glory? Then, donate
all your earnings to government and charities

Really now, I am sick and tired of hearing Manny Pacquiao say that PR line that his fight is my fight and he's making it for the country. That's totally crap.


Manny Pacquiao is not fighting for the Philippines, oh no. He is fighting for big bucks for those Payper views and purse monies, and of course, millions of dollars from sponsors. 


Tell me now, if Pacquiao is fighting for us, why did he keep his winnings in his bank account? If he's really fighting for the country, why not donate the entire thing, US$ 30 million at that, to the government or to a foundation? 


What contributions did this guy ever did to this country? Land us in the top pages of boxing magazines? What else? Make other nationalities proud and create the perception that we are a people prone to violence?


What benefits us if the world perceive Manny Pacquiao as the greatest fighter of the world? None. What benefits us if the world perceive us as a country of scientists, of specialists, of experts in the field of economics, of bankers and stuff? Many.


Tell me now, did our lives improve after watching a Pacquiao fight? Policemen says crime drops when Pacquiao fights. Is that it? Are there other things that happen when he fights? Well, we feel good knowing that he won, or a fellow Pinoy won against a foreigner. What else? 


Anything that changed the lives of the poor shortly after the fight? Any part of the earnings or the entire amount given to charity or to government or to the AFP to purchase guns to fight lawless elements? None.


Is Pacquiao fighting to save the homeless from the state, or the poor from poverty or the workers from greedy capitalists or the Moros from those who want to own their homeland? 


Really now, Pacquiao is fighting only for his own glory and for the glory of his handlers, who get big bucks every single time he fights. Who benefits from his winnings? Not just his wife and kids, but also sabungeros.


And now the AFP says he deserves that Lieutenant Colonel rank. Tell that to the Marines and the Special Forces who died in Basilan.

Paris Hilton meets Benigno Aquino III in Manila. Wow.

Paris Hilton, that blonde femme fatale and Hollywood's most controversial sex kitten, is now in Manila. She's here for a five day tour. 


Sources say Paris Hilton will be exploring investment opportunities in the country. She's the designated model of Azure, a Century properties project and a beach resort. 


She's also expected to meet Manny Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee. Paris Hilton is a huge fan of Pacquiao.


There are news that RP's Most Eligible Bachelor Benigno Noynoy Aquino III is expected to meet the blonde beauty. 


Will sparks fly this time for the "lonely" bachelor and the world's most controversial sex symbol? 


Noynoy is said to love "blondes". Really now, and who does'nt?


Possibility of having other hilton hotels in Manila? Great. 


Reviving foreign investment in Manila. Great as well.


Paris Hilton makes Manila sizzle.

Jinkee Pacquiao puts one on Manny

Manny Pacquio is now an official Habitat for Humanity  ambassador. But, take a look at this photo. At last, nakasabunot din si Jinkee after all those indiscretions by Manny. :-)


Happy weekend to all!

Re-Imagining the Philippines

Let me share with you an excellent, excellent article written by Bobby Tiglao over at the Inquirer today. This exactly identifies the most excellent cause of struggle of every Filipino---a re-imagination of the Philippines as a community. 


There is, however, a portion where I do not agree with Tiglao--the very assertion that Marxism failed to explain the emergence and strengths of nations. Tiglao asks, " how could nations survive if it is torn by class struggle?"


Nations survive precisely because of class struggle. The interlocking interests of classes sustain, albeit, maintain societal equilibrium. It is not that classes eat or fight each other out of oblivion, no. That is clearly not realistic. Tiglao imagines Marxism in a very romantic mode.


What happens is, classes do struggle for dominance, trying to wrestle from each other, the means of production. As they struggle, they clash and their clashes result in synthesis. This synthesis promotes growth and development that enables such an equilibrium to exists in a consistent fashion.


Anyway, I agree with most of his views--that the solution to all our malady is for us to re-imagine the Filipino Community based on the ways we think it should be.


Why Pacquiao matters much in the imagining 

By Rigoberto D. Tiglao
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:27:00 11/18/2010

Filed Under: Pacquiao, Boxing, Heroism

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A WEEK after my wife Getsy and I came back to our country after four and a half exciting years in Greece representing our country, I was fortunate to have a chance to commune in a deep way and in the most unique circumstances with my fellow citizens last Sunday. This was at the fully packed Bubba Gump restaurant at Greenbelt. There I cheered loudly with my fellow Filipinos for Manny Pacquiao as he made boxing history.
I’m not being sarcastic or melodramatic. Pacquiao that Sunday was the high priest in a communion—very rare for us, unfortunately—that strengthened our republic. In his insightful 1983 book “Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism,” the respected Cornell University political scientist and historian Benedict Anderson propounded his ground-breaking theory that the nation—a republic if it is a democratic one—the most important community modern man says he belongs to, and often claims he will die for, is really an “imagined community.” It is different from “real communities” such as the family, the clan, the tribe, or even the fraternities to which it is just natural to have an allegiance to, since we get to be acquainted with each and every member of these organizations. These are after all simply collections of relatives or friends we know.
In nations though, even in the smallest ones, the members, as Anderson put it, “will never know most of their fellow-members, meet them, or even hear of them. Yet, members must have in their minds ‘the image of their communion’.”
A Filipino will never ever meet each of his kababayan. But in his mind, when he recognizes and greets somebody, say, in a strange foreign land and calls him kabayan, he does so, since from his childhood, he was taught to imagine a community called the Philippines. Jose Rizal’s greatness—in contrast to the action-oriented Andres Bonifacio—is that he was the first Filipino to present the imagining of the Philippines not in a dry, theoretical way but in two dramatic novels which used techniques critics say even presaged modern films.
To imagine a community is not easy, even if the necessary but insufficient conditions exist, such as a shared territory, language, history and nuanced genetic features. There has to be myriad rituals and tools to pull out, as it were, an individual’s ego-centered consciousness, and merge it with the community—such rituals as the singing of the national anthem, national day celebrations, and the commemoration of the community’s important events, or such tools as the newspaper, the arts, and even museums.
One of the most important tools for the imagining is the existence and commemoration of its heroes, especially its martyrs. This is because they are the perfect embodiments of the nation, having sacrificed their lives, not for rewards in an afterlife but for the survival of their imagined community.
But heroes need not be martyrs who die fighting for the survival of their nation. They could be members of the community who excel in their fields, especially if they have done this against all odds (think Charles Lindbergh or even the Beatles). For what better way to convince an individual to be a dedicated member of the community if not to demonstrate that by being a member, he could share somehow in the qualities of that hero?
Pacquiao, who struggled against poverty to be the greatest boxer on earth, fits perfectly the role of a hero helping us imagine our nation.
Pacquiao’s power to strengthen the imagining of our community owes much though to modern mediatechnology, just as print media made the first imaginings of nations possible. Real time coverage of the fight allowed us, as it were, to be in Pacquiao’s consciousness itself. That wasn’t the case for Flash Elorde, or Ninoy Aquino. The realm in which Pacquiao proved his excellence—boxing—is also the most suitable for imagining nations as it simulates, as in the case of the Olympics or even Asian Games, the ancient way for competitions among imagined communities—wars. (Contrast that to the impact of the excellence, for instance of Lea Salonga or Charice Pampengco.)
Marxism, with its view that society is divided into irreconcilable exploitative and exploited classes, could not explain the emergence and strength of nations starting in the 19th century. How could nations ever survive if it is torn by class struggles?
Anderson’s theory of imagined communities filled this lacuna in Marxist theory. As he put it, “regardless of the actual inequality and exploitation that may prevail in each, the nation is always conceived as a deep, horizontal comradeship. Ultimately it is this fraternity that makes it possible, over the past two centuries, for so many millions of people, not so much to kill, as willingly to die for such limited imaginings.”
Thus, at Bubba Gump last Sunday, the capitalist owner, the dishwashers, the waiters and waitresses, rich balikbakayan, a former ambassador, young call-center staff, forgot their identities and social status, even their political persuasions, in the hour or so of that welterweight world championship fight, and revered their “Filipino-ness” in Pacquiao. It was a secular high mass celebrating the nation.
Our problems as a nation are to a great extent due to the fact that we have been extremely handicapped in imagining our community. For 400 years, the Spanish colonizers, represented mainly by friars, made us believe—until today for many Filipinos—that our community, next to the clan, was the Kingdom of God. And then for at least the next two decades, again even now for many Filipinos, the imagined community is either Chicago or California.
We are starved of rituals and heroes to help us imagine our nation. That is why Manny matters much.
E-mail: tiglao.inquirer@gmail.com

Pacquiao wins against Margarito: The Science of the Pacman

Ah, the sweet science of fighting. 


It was evident at the fourth round that everything is going against the Mexican boxer, Antonio Margarito.


Margarito, despite his weight and height advantage, showed no visible skills to outclass the Filipino pound for pound champion. I mean, the 5'6 Manny Pacquiao dominated the 5'11 Antonio Margarito of Mexico. That round proved to all and sundry that Margarito does not have the skills to turn his physical advantages into opportunities.


Margarito's punches does not have the superior punching power compared with the Pacman. Margarito lumbers like a blind giant, trying to gain balance. While the Pacman looks entirely prepared and both physically and mentally superior than the 3-time Mexican world champion.

Before the fight, Margarito was evidently nervous. He was always babbling, singing his national anthem and trying to prep himself up--signs of nervousness. 


And that's what defeated Margarito--he does not have the right balance to power his punches. Look at the legs--Manny's leg muscles are all firm while Margarito's not as firm, showing to all that Margarito still lacks the proper preparation to defeat a faster opponent.


Pacman's stronger punches did Margarito in. Pacman's hand speed is tremendous, his movements within the ring shows generalship and his quick defenses avoided possible serious injuries from Margarito's punches.


Even in their jabs, Margarito's are a bit slower and lacks power while the Pacman's are all power. Pacquiao's one-two-three combination stuns his opponents and there is nothing, oh, nothing that can defeat that for the moment. Muhammad Ali was just a one-two puncher. Ali defeats his enemies by the volume of his punches.

In Pacman's case, his punch packs a whallop enough to probably put to sleep an amateur fighter in just a few minutes in the fight. 


For the first first, second and third rounds, the Pacman punched Margarito's mid-section. This is a tactic to hurt the fighter for the boxer to lose the ability to breathe much better. 


If you can't breathe normally, you cannot punch as strong as you want. A couple of hard punches in Margarito's mid-section lost the string in the Mexican boxer's jabs and punches. 


Without enough power to even cause Pacman problems, the Filipino boxer then focused his attention at Margarito's face. He baited Margarito and waited for the time to unleash those blows to the face. His six-punch combination landed straight in the face of the Mexican. Those blows hit his right eye. It was swollen from the fourth to the last round.


So, clearly the tactic was:


1. First, try to soften Margarito's stinging blows by punching his stomach. Without power in his punches  and jabs, Margarito is nothing.
2. Then, try to damage his sight. Concentrate blows to his face, particularly his eyes. Without sight, Margarito's height and weight advantages are nothing.
3. Try to bait him to a brawl. With Margarito weakened, and his sight blurred, he cannot execute a very good punch. If he goes in, and brawls, the Pacman has now the advantage to knock him out. There were several brawls in the fight and it was obvious that despite being cornered, the Pacman did not show being seriously hurt. Reason? No sting in Margarito's punches.
4. With a weaker fighter, it would be cruising through for the Pacman.


The entire fight should be a classic one for those serious in studying fight science. 


The Pacman's secret punch lies in his correct posture and balance. He uses his left foot to gain more power from the ground and translate it into tremendous energy from his torso to his arm and to his fists. Look at the photo at the right, Pacman's posture is the secret to his tremendous power. When he unleashes those punches, he uses his foot to balance himself and translate that power from the ground up. Look at the muscles in his lower leg. That shows you how powerful those punches are because the correct mass was distributed equally in his legs, torso and upper body.


Look at the body of Margarito--yes, it was also toned. But, the mass was unequally distributed. He made efforts to expand his chest but never his calves. Reason for that? Strategy. Margarito bulked up to be able to absorb the tremendous pressure from a Pacquiao punch. He never thought that the only thing that would defeat Pacquiao is basically be a lot faster in hand speed than the world's best pound-for-pound boxer. 


Now, do we need the gay Floyd Mayweather Jr. to prove that Pacman is the greatest fighter to have ever lived?


No. 


Mayweather Jr. can choose to dilly-dally, to mock the Pacman but one thing is sure--Mayweather Jr. does not have what it takes to really put himself toe-to-toe with the greatest boxer in world history.