To the Filipino people, Manny is more than a fighter and more

To the Filipino people, Manny is more than a fighter and more than a pop culture symbol. The eight-division former world champ is a flesh and bones representation of hope and triumph. If the little guy from the nastiest slum in the Philippines can conquer the world, there is a chance for everyone to come out ahead. Pacquiao’s story is the story of the underdog, everywhere. From his home country to Mexico City and everywhere in between, Pacquiao’s tale resonates and has made him, perhaps, the most popular fighter in the world.

The symbolism of his own rise to glory is not lost on Pacquiao.

Manny carries the weight of Filipino hope and worldwide fame on his shoulders and does so with class and grace. While the business machinations behind his meteoric rise to the top of the sport have frequently been questionable and/or downright deceitful, Pacquiao has managed to keep his hands clean. And one can’t help but think that his efforts to always portray himself as an affable, honorable character come from the fact that he knows how much a “good” Manny means to those who follow his every move.

But shouldering this kind of weight can also take its toll on a man, even one as hearty as Pacquiao.

“I tried to control my emotions right after the fight but when I was alone in my room, I decided to view some of the TV footages of the reaction of my fans to my loss,” Pacquiao told Manny Pinol of Philboxing.com. “When I saw that people were sad and crying, I felt so sorry that I failed them and I cried…If only I could embrace them one by one and tell them that I was sorry that I let them down, I will do it.”

According to reports, Pacquiao will return to the ring in September. Marquez is still non-committal about whether he wants a rematch or not and other possible rival, Bradley, may not have fully recovered by that time from his brutal war with Russia’s Ruslan Provodnikov.

Hope he comes back!! or he should become Philippine President!

Source yahoo.com