International Sports Examiner
- sports extra -
by Marv Dumon
Triumph is sweet not always for the winning edge in game or political tally, but for what had to be overcome - the odds - to achieve that victory.
PHOTOS: Pacquiao's Saturday bash
As wealthy parents may well attest, give all wordly possessions to a spoiled brat, his desires (and covetousness) only grows - with lack of appreciative flow through the neural synapses of his stunted brain.
George Washington's troops froze in the snow; Hannibal's walked through the Alps; Moses was chased by the Egyptians; Julius Casesar fought in Gaul territory. Jesus: three nails and a crown of thorns. Immortal tales allowing each of us - ordinary mortals (the cynics, the skeptics, the expendables) - to digest on epics.
A weekend after Mother's Day, congressman-elect and boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao celebrated his recent electoral victory as House representative of Saranggani Province in the southern Philippines.
Saturday evening's festivities also featured a dance routine from Dionesia "Pacmom" Pacquiao, who celebrated her 61st birthday.
The celebration took place at a convention center in General Santos City, with over a thousand guests, at a reported cost of about about $22,130 US dollars. The formally elected "People's Champ" also presented his mother with a multi-carat diamond necklace reportedly worth about $17,800.
A Special Celebration >
While the Pacquiaos marked their first political win (and as significant underdogs) as well as their matriarch's milestone, Saturday's celebration was perhaps more special than the others given their family's miraculous journey out of earlier poverty. Manny Pacquiao now has an official seat as dignitary at the 15th Philippine Congress which includes current Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former First Lady Imelda Marcos.
CLICK Images: Pacquiao's evening of festivities
1st PHOTO: In this photo taken late Saturday May 15, 2010, boxer and now Congressman-elect Manny Pacquiao dances with his mother Dionesia during her 61st birthday celebration as well as Pacquiao's election victory party late Saturday May 15, 2010 at General Santos city in southern Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
The dedication required to elevate oneself out of desperation necessitated what best-selling author Dr. Stephen Covey called "Value Ethics" such as hard work, dedication, self-belief, honesty, and faith.
Desperation is not just a word. It is a hunger for survival - for life - for success - for validation of one's self-worth. Desperation is feeling the pangs of an empty stomach, of having one tiny meal for a day. Of sleeping in a cardboard box as a child, of having to face nature's cruel elements - of subjecting your meager (yet precious) belongings to the whims (and desperation) of slum thieves, beggars, and drug addicts.
Desperation is working unreasonably hard when no one believes in you, as you singularly, and with loneliness, atone with Divine Providence to make harsh conditions an absolvable curse - negated by effort, and luck.
That is what makes victory sweet and appreciated.
Recent >
The successful, lifelong conquest of these challenges not too many men on Eath have overcome sans one next-door type named Manny.
Adversity has a picture. It is an image of a skinny, teen Manny pushing himself to the limit on sit-ups - his back against a wooden ply, feet somewhat attached to two bicycle tires.
A man's fighting spirit is not in his gun, gloves, or vest, a Vedantic, Buddhist, or Kung Fu Master would impart. It is in the man himself. "Game not in ball - game in player."
Napoleon Bonaparte thought that an army with high morale outnumbers a same-size enemy three-to-one. It is not the size of the Pacman in the fight, it is the size of the fight in the Pacman. Saturday's celebrations, a byproduct of earlier struggles. A triumph that much more celebratory.
On Motherhood >
In his wisdom on women, one Abraham Lincoln, who himself had to overcome poverty, imparted:
A woman is the only thing I am afraid of that I know will not hurt me.
And,
All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.
At Saturday's birthday bash, Manny declared: "I just want her to be happy."
Similarly, at last year's bash for 'Pacmom," Manny then stated: "There is no Manny Pacquiao if it weren't for Aling Dionisia."
True wealth, indeed.
Video: The Pacquiao's political and birthday bash
Copyright © 2010, Marv Dumon
I m a g e s:
- Pacquiao celebrates 'Pacmom's' 61st birthday
- Brawl at Khan-Malignaggi weigh-in
- Interview with Buboy: 'Manny was in street fights as a kid'
- Tragedy to triumph: Pacquiao, Aquino reshaping Philippine conscience
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I m a g e s:
- Joe Calzaghe breaks up with dancer, rumors of boxing return
- Kendra Wilkinson sex tape controversy
- Miss USA 2010 photo controversy
- Athletes-turned politicians now include Manny Pacquiao
I m a g e s:
- Part 1: 2010 Elections: Choosing Philippine Destiny
- Part 2: 2010 Elections: Choosing Philippine Destiny
- Part 3: 2010 Elections: Choosing Philippine Destiny
I m a g e s:
- Part 1: Behind the Scenes at Mayweather-Mosley
- Part 2: Behind the Scenes at Mayweather-Mosley
- Part 1: Floyd Mayweather Parties at Studio 54
- Part 2: Floyd Mayweather Parties at Studio 54
I m a g e s:
- (Photos) Celebrity Sightings at MGM Grand
- Part 1: Mayweather vs Mosley (Photos)
- Part 2: Mayweather vs Mosley (Photos)
- (Photos) Weigh-in: Mayweather vs Mosley
Comments
go pacmom
happy borthday dionesia!
I fully understand why Manny is throwing lavish party for his mom, but now that he is in public service, he should refrain from doing it. I have read in some forum that his mother is now being compared with the Imelda of the Marcos regime. I think he should spend the money in a more tangible projects that would benefit the people of Sarangani rather than showing it off with extravagant parties. This is just a friendly advice if he would further his career as a politician.
I never heard or seen Floyd has done like this to his Mother, anybody? where is Floyd's Mother?
A really good son to his Mom. I believe Pacquiao will be a good servant to his constituents.
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