Citizen Exemplar: Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao by Jose Peralta III

Fight for Honor and Glory of your country is what a man can do to prove to the world the pride of his country. Being elite in your own field or profession can be enough.
The gut of a true fighter, the will of a boxer, the strength of a true champion, and the pride of a Filipino is what this man possesses. He showed greatness in this field beyond others. Thus, proved that he is the one and true uncontested victor. He is a citizen exemplar! Not only for his valor, but also his strive for the Filipino pride. He is Manny Pacquiao.

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao otherwise known as Many Pacquiao is the “fighting pride of the Philippines” and hailed today as the greatest pound-for-pound boxer.
Why make him a citizen exemplar? Let’s see what he is first. The bad traits: Pacquiao is mocked by many because of his language skills, criticized by others for not using his own language in addressing his win unlike other boxers who address the people with their own language. What people don’t see is that Pacquiao tries his best to improve not only in boxing but also in his communication skills. Pacquiao grew up without finishing high school, so it is exceptionally amazing to learn English to a person with a caliber like Pacquiao. Those who criticize him also don’t realize that Pacquiao is the embodiment of the Filipino people and that he’s only trying to show the world that we Filipino’s can speak English.

Manny Pacquiao during his fights creates one nation. No crime, no un-equality, just one unified Philippines. Many see him as the greatest Filipino today. With his clenched fists of glory, he does not only defeat his enemy, but brings pride to our country. He says “Ang laban ko ay para sa mga Pilipino”. That’s why he is also known as “The fighting pride of the Philippines” because he gives credit to his race and motherland. He is a model citizen because he does not only excel in his profession. He also strives to influence others to be proud of their race, which is a Filipino.

A citizen exemplar like him also proves that anyone of us can become an exemplar like him with so much love for our country.

Pacquiao lived a poor life as a child, chose not to finish school, but still, made way to become the excellent person he is today. Pacquiao was noted as to be a person who is below average. He wasn’t expected of something great. Inspite of not excelling in academics, he managed to show some skill on boxing. Thanks to his father, who is a former boxer himself, Pacquiao managed to practice his skills as a boxer. The man from General Santos city starts his way to the top, even though even his own mother disapproves of his sons’ decision on pursuing a career on Boxing. Step by step, even in the face of defeats against Rustico Torrecampo, Medgoen singsurat, and Eric Morales, he still made his way to climb the top, defeating many opponents such as Oscar Larios, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Eric Morales (2nd Fight), Dela Hoya, and currently Hatton. It defines to him, the attitude of a true fighter, a really exceptional person whose courage brings blaze to the feelings of others (his countrymen).

Each fight of Pacquaio is a nationwide event that nobody misses. Crime-rate in the Philippines hits 0 every time Pacquiao fights. Do you know what it means unifying the Philippines in just that single moment? It proves that the Philippines can be a single unit where cooperation and equality rules. If only everyday can be boxing day, then maybe everyone in the Philippines can work together. No rallies, opposition and administration, quarrels among siblings and friends, no murders, just a unified country that everyone dreams. Imagine one Filipino can do that. This is, Manny Pacquiao.

Today, Pacquiao has proved that the Filipino people is excellent in their own way, and is a force to reckon with. Nobody underestimates us any more; we have proved our worth to be acknowledged by the whole world. He is as exemplar worth of praising and acknowledging. A role model to Filipino’s everywhere, he still pursues to further bring joy, and pride to the Philippines by defeating every opponent who comes blocking his way towards achieving this. His fists of fury won’t allow anyone to ruin the Filipino pride, because each punch represents the trust every Filipino has for him. Pacquiao has a whole nation, a whole race resting upon his shoulders and is expecting that he brings home that honor that we all crave and thus forever embedded our name In history.

Can he now be a national hero? What do you think? Yes! He even deserves more than that. The palace awards him for his triumph, the people on the other hand brought him cheers. Now at his upcoming fight with Miguel Cotto, once again we watch Pacquiao bring Honor and Glory back to his country!