Maharlikan Times

Contrasting telltale signs: Idealist versus Realist harking in the world of Pacmania

by Granville Ampong - California Examiner, Nevada Examiner, Manila-US Times, Philboxing.com, Maharlikan Times

THE LAND OF PROMISE, Mindanao, Philippines, June 24, 2009 - There's never a minute of forgetting of how much Manny Pacquiao - "Philippines' National Treasure" - lost his bid for the congressional elections in the first district of South Cotabato three years ago. It was an event wherein  incumbent Congresswoman Darlene Custodio scored a swift, knock-out victory.

     Of course, the images of victory by Custodio have not faded in the mind of Pacquiao. But, the deployments of some words of encouragement from his close associates keep coming - convincing him in fact to run again for Congress in another district, specifically in Saranggani where the Chiongbians reign for decades.

      And so I must say this forthcoming match-up would be a great topic that can fire up a hearty discussion.

      Meanwhile, let me share with you my perspective and tenacious attempt to get back into the trail of politics, charging on the mind of an idealist versus a realist.

      I grew up from a family in which tidbits of political news had exceeded their share far more substantial than the frequency of my daily meals. It was all pathetic at times. Talks about both local and national candidates on countless occasions broke the meal etiquette to the consummation of our table topics.

      One such topic was about the political ideologies relative to political candidates and to those in power, that which I will never forget the thrill of delving its circumstantial bliss of their respective ascendancy. And even during my college years, I carried the same influence to entertain my fervor.

      Activist by heart, I fought my way to the march-rally at Silliman University in the late 1980s. Being one of those busy-buddies in the campus, I did my own investigative inquiry with the League of Filipino Students as to the issues these political candidates and incumbents were facing.

      That was during the leadership of Judito Cabusao, the long-time president of the League of Filipino Students and Editor-in-Chief of the Weekly Sillimanian.

      And, by the way, Cabusao was definitely not a personal friend of mine. But, I must say he   was unarguably a great mind, especially in any lengthy, hot air debates in which I usually delved myself into during our Philosophy studies more than two decades ago. His heart, that I thought, had lived enough by faith and his bearing by intellectual foresight must have transcended the national boundaries. In fact, he was once a major proponent in the reservation of East Timor and in the expose` of rampant abuses in the early 1990s, both civil and political, striking their contrasts from domestic to the international scene. He was not just an uncompromising risk-taker and a fearless grassroots-activist but a great thinker as well. At least that was my best recollection of him. And, I think, it's something one must ponder upon. Nevertheless, indifference of ideological impressions was what truly separated us.

       But, I thought he was an ideal man to become one of the great public figures of the Republic of the Philippines. And, he was relatively a man who still deserves my respect, at least in the realm of political idealism. And I must say, nonetheless, he had the strength of a modern "tao"(man) that which remains potent in the heart of a true Maharlikan idealist.

        And as for this day, we have a paradigm shift. It's a case worth-studying for this generation and onward.

       It's not about mass demonstrations and burning effigies.

       It's about giving reverence to those halleluiahs in the midnight cry and regarding them as far more deserving in the legitimacy of our democratic appeals. Yes, political mass rallies may have just become the unbreakable mirrors of the past. And one such "mirror" convicts the image of the past. But, through it all, one can look into the long vista of hope for a phenomenal version of revolution.

      But, the modern thinking of "tao" actuates his analysis with much introspection versus retrospection. That's the very fabric of a revolutionary man - a visionary man, in fact!

       Yes, we have the lens through which we can see clearly noting that the new political dispensation is imminent. That it may heal the injuries by simply capitalizing the grief of the Maharlikan nation. And regardless of political enchantments, Filipinos by far thrive in the best exclusion of oneself on the will of assertiveness especially in the area of politics.

Meantime, we search from the tip of the Philippine archipelago way up to the other end from one generation to another. Still, we have just engulfed our idealistic findings as something illusory.

       But, we rather find another enabling realist who has the ability to capture the pulse of time.

       Pragmatic one in his own right, "Emmanuel Pacquiao, a Congressional seat aspirant in the Alabel district of Saranggani, Philippines, is just the right man for that position," according to Gina Dayao whose parents still live in Sarangani. And, even then, "now is the time for him to revolutionize politics especially in the national level. We need a sensitive, and a naturally intelligent man to keep the vision of Mindanao alive." She added.

      But, unlike Mr. Cabusao, for purposes of illustration, whose intelligence unquestionably renders Pacquiao void of academic honor, one may need to scratch deeper into his own scalp to study and to learn the intellectual gem of being a Congressman. "It's not just about implementing projects in his designated district," said Marlene Flores, who claimed to have many relatives in Saranggani Island. "It's about knowing himself into the standing of being a lawmaker."

       It's better for him to run for Governor or Mayor," said Roy Torres who hails from General Santos City. "He has no idea about the job of a congressman, nor does he have the skill and education to tackle such position, if ever he gets elected."

But, "he may win in Saranggani, if ever he runs for Congress and he may be able to improve the lives of the people in his district."

       However, Torres further supposed that Pacquiao's intent to narrow the gap between the rich and poor in the matter of addressing the needs of that purported district as for a congressional seat and as to his sincere desire to emerge into the intricacy of legislative role rather breaks the traditional propensities of a common politician, at least to his own intimation.

       "Pacquiao may have just shown enough novelties to become a "Deliverer" that he wants to be, far better than any of the incumbents in the Philippine archipelago, transcending - in fact - the walls of the political academe." Torres added.

        "One thing I am sure, the public eye may be less harsh to Pacquiao than an ordinary entrant to politics," said the former professor of Mindanao State University who consented to be interviewed by this writer on condition of anonymity. "His credible achievements before politics bring the tide of acceptance in the hearts of the general populace of Sarrangani. He may have less resistance in there than what he once had when he fought against Darlene Magnolia Antonino-Custodio."

        Nonetheless, Pacquiao is determined to undercut the pressure of misgivings inherent of politics, banking on his own ideological values and moral ascendancy necessary to promote the well-being of the lone district of Saranggani.

       But, what about those numskull politicians, scoundrels and the sycophants, whose adulterated intent might bring the tide of eventual destruction to the world of Pacmania?

        When shall their egocentric machinations abate?

Will there be a repeat of fiasco when he ran for the first district of South Cotabato?

Of course, no one can divine.

         But the signs will stand off-guard until Pacquiao spells out the world of Pacmania.

         To this end, I render my respect.

         But, unless Pacquiao embarks on a stronger machinery, engaging his political affairs free of influence from these traditional politicians and " jolly-gully-wows", his intent to epitomize the fulfillment of his dream for the Land of Promise - Saranggani - may just remain a flickering forlorn hope, if not an idealistic reverie.

Note: Granville Ampong is a freelance journalist writing regularly for Philboxing.com, Manila-US Times, Nevada Examiner, California Examiner, AmericaFront.com and Maharlikan Times. You may send your comment(s) by e-mail to granvilleampong@maharlikantimes.com.

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