THERE seems to be no more doubts that Manny Pacquiao should be called the greatest boxer who has ever lived. He is the world champion in eight divisions, the first person to have that distinction. Counting the minor ones, he is the first boxer in history to win 10 world titles. He is also the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He deserves more than the Boxing Writers’ Association “Fighter of the Decade” accolade. Ring magazine, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, NBC Sports and other sports news media have also named him the No. 1 pound-for-pound best boxer in the world. We agree with the forecasts, as stated in our page 1 and 2 special report on today’s Pacquiao-Mosley fight at the MGM Grand Arena, that the PacMan will win over Mosley. Manny is a great man Our dear Congressman Pacquiao is a great man, not only a great boxer. He has his heart in the right place. He is concerned about the plight of the millions of poor and hungry Filipinos—and is doing something about alleviating their poverty. He respects the dignity of his fellow human beings — including and most specially the challengers who wish to wrest the crown from him as well as the most helpless human beings: fetuses in the womb, the unborn children. He is a good son and a good sibling to all his brothers and sisters. Nevertheless, we wish to convey —to Manny himself, his handlers and his adoring fans—the message captured in the eight words of the title of this editorial: “Manny, the global idol, must become a paragon.” The word paragon comes from the diamond industry, where a paragon is a perfect, flawless diamond. In earlier times, a diamond weighing at least 12 carats could be given the distinction of being in this class. Today, a diamond without blemish must at least weigh 99 carats to be given this title. The Paragon is the largest flawless white diamond so far found in the world. It weighs 137.82 carats. Our beloved Manny Pacquiao is sometimes seen wearing a diamond stud, obviously not a paragon, in his ear. In metaphorical usage, a paragon is a model of virtues, of excellence, in a discipline or field. What we devoutly wish to see is for Manny Pacquiao to become a Filipino paragon in all the fields he has entered—and therefore become more than just an admired champion boxer but a truly great example for our youth to emulate. An example of bodily discipline He is already a wonderful example of a man who disciplines his body as an athlete. He is already addressing people about the need to be disciplined, to make sacrifices to achieve their goals of success and a better life. We wish he would try to become a paragon in these aspects of life: Discipline against the consumerist tide. Yes, the consumerist impulses, the imperative to own things, are what drive a market economy and create additional jobs. But the best social philosophers and moral teachers are right. People and societies must curb their slavery to material things. This does not mean we wish Manny would no longer rake in millions in endorsement talent fees from product advertisers. He can appear in all kinds of product ads, like Ms. Kris Aquino. But he can, in talk shows and in lecture appearances to all kinds of audiences, especially students and young people, speak about moderating their urge to buy, buy, buy, and to curb the consumerist monster in their bellies. Be a voracious seeker of knowledge. He has already shown how he could apply himself to the art of movie-making and to singing and music. He should also use his fame and his influence on the young as an example of someone who takes self-improvement studies seriously. He should study to speak English more correctly. He can get himself a tutor—the kind who teaches call-center job seekers and whom call center companies hire to upgrade the skills of their employees. Then his success in speaking more grammatical English after a year or so will have a tremendous impact on Filipinos. He can also, after becoming an example in the improvement of English skills, make himself an example in being an assiduous seeker of knowledge and skills in other subjects. Be a hardworking lawmaker. Some commentators have been writing that Manny Pacquiao should stick to the field he knows best and get out of politics. We don’t agree. He has become a politician and seems to have plans for higher office. What he should do is become a paragon of an honest politician. And in the House, he should make himself an example of a hardworking lawmaker. He knows that the poor and lower middle-class people of our country are suffering. He can consult with experts and lend his fame to back up bills that will make ours a better society and Republic. For starters, he should back up the passage of the original Freedom of Information bill authored by Congressman Erwin Tañanda that President Aquino and his people are now trying to emasculate. There are many other departments of life and social action that our great world champion can go into and become a paragon in. A most important area he should be a model of is in the family. He has to make himself a greater example of a good and loving husband and father. Source:- http://www.manilatimes.net/opinion/editorial/manny-the-global-idol-must-become-a-paragon/
