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In recent years, a sport has been an integral part of most culture of the world. It signifies allegiance, loyalty, a sense of belongingness and pride. It brings a town, a state, a race and a country together every time their favorite team and sports heroes play in any big stage in the world.
Europe and most South American countries love their soccer or football as they call it. It is a national religion in that part of the world. Australians and the English adore their rugby and cricket. Americans' favorite past time may be baseball but "American Football" rules all sports in the continental United States. Sundays in America are spent for church, family and the N.F.L.
In Asia, Japan is a baseball-crazy country while the Chinese love their Ping Pong and badminton.
And how about the Philippines?
Basketball has always been the cream of the crop of this nation. It is home of the oldest professional league in Asia. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is our breeding ground of celebrity, sports heroes and role models.
But lately, boxing is and is becoming our past time. Thanks to a small guy from General Santos City.
Manny Pacquiao's success in the biggest stage of the sport brought fame and recognition not only to himself, but to the Philippines as well. It opened opportunities for young kids who wanted to be a world champion and a sports hero like him. It provided many opportunities for the growth of sports in the country. We now have weekly boxing events in various parts of our country, giving jobs to promoters, managers, fighters, the media and various industry related companies.
Boxing is growing and it is slowly becoming our national sport.
Filipinos all over the world come together whenever Pacquiao fights. It is a national holiday for Overseas Filipino workers, immigrants and transformed citizens of any country in the world each time he steps in the ring. His bouts are always a good excuse to party, to get together and enjoy food and family in all parts of the world where Filipinos reside.
But Pacquiao is not only our best bet in boxing. He may be our "National Treasure" but there are others who are gems of a stone too. We had numerous boxing champions, four at the current time after starting with seven in 2012.
And one of them is the unified IBF and WBO super bantamweight champ and a three time champ in three different weight divisions. And he will fight tonight in what will be the biggest card of boxing this weekend all over the world.
Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire is not only an excellent boxer but a superb athlete as well. He is the second most recognized Filipino boxer, next to Pacquiao. A constant member of the mythical pound for pound list of various boxing sites and publications, Donaire's talents are undeniable.
While it is true that no one can top what Pacquiao did to Philippine boxing and the general landscape of sports in the country. Donaire and fellow world champions like Donnie Nietes, Brian Viloria, John Riel Casimero and Denver Cuello are following in Pacquiao's footsteps in making the Philippines as a major superpower in the sport of boxing.
And just like Pacquiao they need our support as a nation. We cannot be a one hit wonder in a sport that is ingrained in a nation of heroic warriors or "mandirigmas."
Boxing is a sport that exemplifies our strength, our heart and our perseverance as a people.
Our fighters not only fight for money and fame but our nation as well whenever they venture out in foreign lands to fight his foe in enemy territory. In a way, they are like most of us who took and are taking chances outside of the Philippines as Overseas Filipino Workers.
Tonight, one of our fighters is fighting. Tonight, let us if we can, support not just Donaire but the race and nation that he represents, the flag that stands tall behind him, the national anthem that will play in Carson, California.
Tonight, let us gather at The Home Depot Center in Southern California, at a television set wherever you are, or at a computer screen in any part of the world.
Tonight, let us forget the troubles and struggles of our nation and in thirty six minutes or less enjoy what is slowly becoming our national sport, our national pride.
Photo Credit: Chris Farina - Top Rank
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