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National pride

National pride and dignity, aside from personal glory, is at stake at today’s boxing match between the country’s ring idol Manny Pacquiao and Mexico’s pride Erik “El Terrible” Morales.

This is a rematch between two phenomenal boxers whose records are very impressive to say the least. They are the epitome of dedication and courage to face the odds and achieve their goal, to win.

Pacquiao, who lost by a slight margin during their first bout, did the necessary sacrifices — longer and more rigorous training that kept him from his family during the holidays — to ensure that he will win this time around as he knows that the pride of the Filipino nation is also at stake aside from personal glory.

National pride and dignity are concepts that Pacqiao, an ordinary Filipino who rose from poverty to wealth, truly values. Everytime he enters the ring, he knows that the boxing world is not only looking at Pacquiao as an individual but more so as a Filipino. Whatever the outcome of the fight, it will reflect on the reputation of Filipinos worldwide.

Unlike Pacquiao who values national pride and dignity, the government — who has been quick in riding on the successful exploits of individuals like Pacquiao — does the exact opposite. Just take the Olongapo rape case wherein four American marines are involved. The government particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is practically doing nothing to ensure custody of the alleged rapists. There are warrants of arrest for the marines but the DFA did not even attempt to serve the warrants, nor question the US embassy’s defiant custody of the accused.

On the other hand, the government continues to neglect and protect the present day national heroes, the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). There have been numerous cases wherein OFWs have been raped and battered, killed by their employers or died mysteriously but the government did not lift a finger to ensure justice for these OFWs. The government has been consistent in convincing the families of these OFWs to accept that these are the risks involved and to just accept the official report coming from the host country where the crime was committed.

The list can go on and on. When will the government learn that national pride and dignity (as well as sovereignty) are not just abstract concepts but should continuously be nurtured and developed? And if needed, just like Pacquiao and millions of OFWs, this government must learn trading punches to assert our nation’s pride and dignity.

And to Manny Pacquiao, best of luck! #

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