SPORTSIt’s Manny Pacquiao’s 42nd birthday. Here’s what he has meant to me, the Philippines and a generation of boxing fans.

Pacquiao represented more than just a boxer. He was the cultural icon for Filipino representation around the world. On his special day, I would like to elaborate what the “PacMan” has meant to his fans all over the globe. 1 – What it Means to Me Growing up as a kid entrenched in American pop culture, I never saw anyone that looked like me, spoke my language or shared by customs.  No Filipino was represented...
Aaron Tolentino3 years ago72710 min
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Pacquiao represented more than just a boxer. He was the cultural icon for Filipino representation around the world.

On his special day, I would like to elaborate what the “PacMan” has meant to his fans all over the globe.

1 – What it Means to Me

Growing up as a kid entrenched in American pop culture, I never saw anyone that looked like me, spoke my language or shared by customs. 

No Filipino was represented in any form of national or global celebrity — whether it was in movies, music or sports. There was no one on any mainstream platform that I could relate to.

That all changed thanks to Pacquiao. 

Following a TKO victory over Miguel Cotto in 2009, that seemed to be the height of Pacquiao’s celebrity. He was widely regarded as the No. 1 pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.

That was significant for me personally because it was the first time a Filipino was at the pinnacle of his or her craft — whether it was in sports, music or movies. 

I remember taking the bus after school in 2009 and seeing an entire billboard with Pacquiao on it. The billboard was huge as it sat on top of the Nike store building in downtown San Francisco. 

I’ll never forget how proud I was to be Filipino and have someone of my ethnicity be represented like that. 

There were other Nike athletes in 2009 that could have been on that billboard — LeBron, Kobe, Tiger — but no, the company chose a Filipino with lightning in his fists to be on its biggest billboard in San Francisco.  

A decade later, not much has changed with Filipino representation in mainstream media. I still look at Pacquiao as an inspiration for a Filipino like me who wants to make it big in America.

2 – What He Means to the Philippines

It is safe to say the Philippines and Filipinos around the world stop and watch every time Pacquiao enters the ring.

According to a Washington Post article, crime and violence in the Philippines take a halt for a day when Pacquiao fights. 

The article explained what kind of event a Pacquiao fight is in his native country. 

“Everything that has been documented about his popularity has not been exaggerated,” J.M. Siasat, a Filipino sports writer, told Mashable. “When he fights, the crime rate literally goes to zero. In the southern part of The Philippines, the war between the rebels and the military stops. Sometimes they even watch together, that’s how big it is.”

For almost every Pacquiao fight growing up, I remember which Tito/Tita’s (aunt or uncle’s) house I went to to watch the pay-per-view. 

I feel like other Filipinos can remember who hosted what Pacquiao fight because I certainly did.

Before the most lucrative prizefight in history against Floyd Mayweather, Pacquiao recorded his own walkup song “Lalaban Ako” (meaning “I will fight”). It was an ode to the Philippines. 

The music video showcased the rampant poverty that exists in the Philippines. The message of the song was to empower Filipinos all over the world, and that Pacquiao fights for his people to bring joy into their lives.

Pacquiao has made hundreds of millions of US dollars in his career. In pesos, he is worth billions — one of, if not, the richest and most powerful people in the Philippines.

He currently serves as a senator in hopes to bring positive change for his country.

Expect the future Hall of Famer to make a run at the Philippine presidency once he hangs up the gloves for good. 

3-What he Means to a Generation of Boxing Fans

The two best boxers of this generation are Pacquiao and Mayweather. 

The two are also the biggest draws, although Mayweather has the slight edge in overall pay-per-view sales.

The difference is Pacquiao’s style of fighting pleased fans and was more beloved than Mayweather’s defense-first style.

More people paid to watch Mayweather fight but not necessarily because he lifted them out of their seats. Fans wanted to see if his opponent could finally hand Mayweather a loss.

The opposite was for Pacquiao; fans came to see him fight and often rooted for him.

He was the most exciting fighter of his generation. 

He took chances in the ring.

Yes, he took some punishment (just ask Marquez), but he also dished out a whole lot of punishment too. 

But that’s what made fans gravitate toward Pacquiao. 

He was never afraid to provide excitement. By excitement, I mean initiating action and throwing punches in bunches. 

He’s the guy that lifted fans out of their seats. 

A true legend inside and outside the ring: Manny Pacquiao.

Aaron Tolentino

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