On Saturday we may see Pacquiao's heir

Today, the elected officials of the Cities of Ormoc and Baybay and the other municipalities belonging to the fourth and fifth congressional districts of Leyte will come to our city to attend a seminar. They will be joined by leaders of the towns of San Juan, San Francisco and Lilo-an of Southern Leyte. Each time we meet them (during their breaks, of course) let us make them feel welcome and at home so that we can start showing to the world that the Police Captain Mendoza caper at the Quirino grandstand last Monday was but an aberration of the one-in-a-million kind.

After arriving Cebu City yesterday, today is also the first day when foreign boxers will experience Cebuano hospitality. And true to the off tangent nature of this column, let me speak, not on the topic of governance, but on how we help make other aspiring Manny Pacquiaos wave our flag with pride throughout the world.

Boxing is one sport a Filipino can excel in. Perhaps, it is our physical structure that we produce better boxers in the lighter divisions. Gabriel "Flash" Elorde reigned supreme for seven long years, among the longest in sports annals, in the 130 pound weight. Rene Barrientos, Ben Villaflor and Rolando Navarrete were briefly recognized as world junior lightweight (super featherweight, if you may) champions.

More importantly, it was public support that helped them reach greater heights. Specifically, the Filipino nation followed the exploits of Elorde even if in those times, communication technology was not as available as it is today. Because he knew we were behind him when he traded blows with such foreigners as Ghanaian Love Alottey and Italian Sergio Caprari, he gave his best performance.

Listen to Pacquiao. In his interviews, he always harps on the adulation we give him. He is thankful that our country stands still to witness his matches and in his desire not to let us down, he puts his heart and mind in his every fight.

On Saturday, there are other Filipino boxers who will carry our colors. I am talking about Cebu-based pugilists Rey Bautista, Milan Milendo and Jimrex Jaca. In my mind they are also world beaters. They carry the kind of power punches that champions are made of. Sure, Bautista and Jaca suffered devastating losses at the hands of South American pugilists. But, they have since picked up the agony of defeat. The blots of their records, signifying some losses, actually strengthen them. Such sad experiences, like what other titles holders had, make better fighters.

Bautista, Milendo and Jaca will be pitted against worthy opponents, foreigners who are believed capable to beat the lights out of our own. These fights therefore will practically make or break their careers. And I like to believe their victory will be defining moments of their lives.

There is something we can do to move Bautista et al to perform their best. Our physical presence, in multitudes, will warm their hearts and strengthen their will. Let us watch the card and show to our boxers that they have our massive support. When, on their introduction by the ring announcer, we give them our most thunderous applause or boisterous calls, we pump their adrenalin and steel their nerves. The encouragements we shout ringside, will lessen the impact of the blows they might receive from their foes.

That was how we helped Da Flash and the Pacman. In the square jungles they ventured to, they knew we did not leave them to wage lonely wars. We let them feel that every punch they gave carried the emotions of the Filipinos and the beating they got was spread among us.

We will do the same patriotic undertaking for these new emerging heroes, this Saturday. Let us be counted there and who knows, after Congressman Manny bows out of the vboxing world, these 3 boxers will carry further our flag.

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