Manny Pacquiao - The Spirit of Filipino Unity

I must confess, I have never been a boxing fan, and I am pretty sure, I'll never become one. But meanwhile I became a fan of Manny Pacquiao. If I read all published articles and columns about him, I can't help myself, agreeing with them all. Even as an expat, who really doesn't like boxing.

Manny is Maximus. And as a Manila Bulletin writer voiced out: "He is pound-for-pound the best boxer in the world, the Fighter of the Decade, the People's champion, the fighting pride of Sarangani, a testament to the Filipinio spirit, a symbol of national unity, an inspiration.

Yes, I don't enjoy watching this bloody sport too as it pits one with killer instinct over another, as Philippine Star columnist Domini M. Torrevillas,wrote a couple of days ago.  But, of course, it feels good that there is someone with brave and simple "probinsyano" (provincial) charm giving the Philippines a good image. 

Boxing is a job, but as he said, he'll not do it forever. Filipino people love him, people in general, people everywhere... .

For living up to his "lofty billing as the mythical pound-for-bound best boxer in the world  when he dominated and outclassed his American opponent Sugar Shane Mosly", ComVal Rep. Zamora-Apsay commended Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao in House Resolution No. 1207, which she filed on May 9, 2011.

"We have so gotten used to his victories that there is no doubt he will win every time he steps on the ring, But his latest triumph cemented the recognition that he is one of the history's best if not the best prizefight ever", she said.

HR No. 1207 also recognizes the fact that rep. Pacquiao continues to make the country proud and the House of Representatives in particular being the only elected official in the Philippines to have won a world title in the sport of boxing.

"What makes Congressman Manny's accomplishment extra special and meaningful is the fact that he dedicates every fight and victory to the Filipino people. He even symbolically wore yellow gloves to call for unity among Filipino", the lady solon added.

Manny Pacquiao - not such a successful boxer here in the Philippines. For some readers  surely not easy to understand and believe... .

NOCH EIN BUCH UEBER DIE PHILIPPINEN/BOOKREVIEW

Es gibt unzaehlige Buecher, die sich mit dem Thema "Philippinen" beschaeftigen. Darunter findet der Leser (immer noch) jede Menge Reisefuehrer, die, kaum veroeffentlicht, schon wieder ueberholt sind. Davon habe ich "tonnenweise" (aeltere und ganz alte!) Ausgaben in meiner Buecherei.

Vor einigen Monaten erhielt ich vom Verlag Shaker Media GmbH in Aachen "noch ein Buch ueber die Philippinen" - aber, ein ganz Besonderes. Es ist Wolfgang Bethge's "Die Philippinen" mit wirklich grandiosen Einblicken in Natur, Kultur, Geschichte und Gesellschaft der Philippinen. Der Autor hat dieses Werk seiner philippinischen Ehegattin Eva A. Torres gewidmet. Eine wunderbare Geste - dieses in Leinen gebundene Epos faellt aus dem Rahmen vieler Buecher ueber die Philippinen, die ich jemals in den Haenden hatte.

Autor Bethe erwaehnt (zu Recht) das Resultat "aus einer nun doch schon mehrjaehrigen Bechaeftigung mit dem faszinierenden Land Philippinen". Natuerlich versteht sich das Buch als Ergaenzung zu vielen auf dem Markt befindlichen Reisefuehrern. Und, es ist das wirklich. Ich habe manche Stunde fasziniert gelesen - und noch viel dazu gelernt, wenn es zu bestimmten Themen ueber die Philippinen kam.

Das Buch bietet wirklich jedem etwas. Auswanderer, die hier schon leben - so wie ich, oder solche, die es werden wollen. Bethge's Werk gleicht einem Gemischtwarenladen - aber, das ist gerade das, was es so faszinierend macht.

Wolfgang Bethe, Die Philippinen, 314 Seiten, gebunden, 27 EURO, www.shaker-media.de.

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Again another book about the Philippines - but, a very special one. It's unfortunately only in German. Really unfortunately, because an English translation would help many expats living in the Philippines to overcome the culture clash, which can't be avoid - where ever you live on this globe, or where ever you live in this beautful country named Philippines.