by Michael Marley
LAS VEGAS—For the first time since I've known him, I can now picture Manny Pacquiao as the future resident of Malacanang Palace.
Really, I mean it. With a mixture of the usual prefight boxing hype and a statesmanlike pitch for a charitable NGO in Philippines named Gawad Kalinga at Wednesday's press conference at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, I have to say it was the most impressive (in English) bit of public speaking I personally have witnessed by the Fighting Congressman from Sarangani Province.
Pacquiao, hyping his bout Saturday night in which he is about a 7-1 betting favorite over fading, 39 year old Sugar Shane Mosley, took special notice of the organziation and urged his followers to come to the bout wearing yellow, “the color of unity.”
Pacquiao spoke about how his goal above and beyond boxing is to diminish the poverty-striken status of so many of his countrymen.
“All my life has been a fight,” the 32 year old Pacman said, dressed sharply in a suit and tie. “As a child, I had to fight to eat.
“Now I am a bayani (hero)...but my biggest fight in my life is how to end poverty in my country. Gawad Kaling is giving people homes and liveliehoods to the people. So wear yellow, the color of unity. Unity is the best weapon for the people.”
Pacquiao's American security director Rob Peters was instrumental in getting the fighter/politician involved with the well respected NGO.
“Manny has really jumped into it, which is so great because it is a great organization,” Peters said.