Manny Pacquiao's rise

People are talking about the coming fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto on Sunday, November 15 (14th in the US). I am sure the whole country will stop whatever they’re doing to tune in to the fight.

Yesterday, I saw an article in a local broadsheet about Pacquiao’s rising popularity in the US and Asia. A photo of Pacquiao’s Nike billboard in Hollywood alongside that of Kobe Bryant’s was published together with the article.

No other local athlete can boast of that, right? For a change, Philippines is being talked about in a positive light. Set aside the dirty politics, rampant corruption and the spotlight on the plight of our poor fellowmen. Then the cover on the Time magazine was reported…

And it hit me, Manny Pacquiao’s really made it! Imagine Pacquiao on the cover of Time magazine!

There is a TIME magazine article on The Meaning of Manny Pacquiao. Another in The Rise of Manny Pacquiao. I think he’s the first Filipino athlete to ever grace the cover of the prestigious mag, right?

We can really say that Manny Pacquiao’s popular in every sense of the word. I just hope he lives up to the expectations of his fellowmen. And won’t succumb to the dirt of local politics.