The National Fist and 2010

IN THE CLOSING MOMENTS of the eighth round, it became clear that Oscar de la Hoya could no longer answer Manny Paquiao's flurry of slugs, let alone break out of the corner in which he was trapped. Once again, the National Fist cupped us all in the palm of his hand, and we all swam in ecstasy.

Perhaps it's just me, but I feel that during the last few years there has been a subtle resurgence in national pride. The most visible manifestation (and perhaps a catalyst) of this has been Manny's string of triumphs. We've had a couple of all-Filipino Mount Everest teams. But I've also noticed a number of smaller things. For instance, I've been seeing the Filipino flag more often nowadays, emblazoned on taxicabs, and on teenagers' shirts and sweatshirts.

Much has been written recognizing Filipino achievements or contributions on the world stage. The ranks of the OFW diaspora (our de facto ambassadors abroad) are increasing, and projecting a highly positive stereotype of the Filipino. We have established such a high reputation in foreign lands that other nationalities envy our industry, talent, and people skills. And our BPO / call center sector has proven it can hold its own against rivals in India and elsewhere, while demonstrating its brilliance to the astonished pleasure of customers in the first world. The government's fiscal house is in order for the first time in decades, and our other macroeconomic fundamentals speak of prudent management achieved in the teeth of a long-running political circus (and global slump).

Indeed, the ugly undercurrent of politics has been the one major blight on Filipinos' self-confidence and self-love. It intruded upon even Manny Pacquiao's post-match communion with his countrymen via television – this came in the form of Vice President Noli de Castro climbing into the ring to bask in Manny's glory. When Noli placed himself behind Manny, I'm sure many watching surmised that he did this to keep himself in the top shelf of our awareness (at probably a fraction of the cost that Manny Villar spends on his 30-second ads). The more cynical among us went so far as to wonder whether Noli would ask Manny Pacquiao to run as vice president under his ticket. A grim reminder that 2010 is nearly upon us, and that there remains a looming uncertainty over what's in store for us as a people.

What are we to make of all this? Conditioned by decades and centuries of having been toyed with by powerful elites, many of us may shrug our shoulders fatalistically, or vote with our feet by moving abroad. But I think the great lesson to draw is that Manny Pacquiao is everyman: disadvantaged early in life, yet determined to use whatever brains and talent he has to develop himself into something worthy of international admiration. It is a lesson in self-respect, a live declaration that anyone – truly, anyone – is capable of changing his world. Even a Filipino.

In some sense, I find it less important whether Noli, or Villar, or Mar Roxas, or even Manny Pacquiao becomes the next President. Anyone who sits in high office becomes susceptible to corruption, or to inept judgment or advice. It's more relevant for us, the electorate, to choose with great care and discernment, and far more importantly, to thereafter closely monitor the performance of the elected official. The day-to-day responsibility ultimately rests upon each of us to make sure the elected listen to the electors, and stick to the straight and narrow. We'll be able to discharge this citizen's responsibility only once we, like Manny the National Fist, have decided to value and respect ourselves. We Filipinos just need to learn to like ourselves enough in order to yell "STOP!" to politicians' abuse and their affront of our intelligence, and to demand more honest service from those to whom we delegated our power.

Enough of this learned helplessness. Manny Pacquiao shows us the way. First: accept that we are worth a whole lot of dignity, and that we deserve better. Then, throw all our brains, heart and muscle into constructive effort. This way, we will be shapers of 2010 and beyond, rather than bystander-victims of it.