He is the first boxer to win 12 titles in eight weight classes and a man who has parlayed his reputation as the champion of his people into a political career that earned him Duterte's imprimatur as his chosen successor. He is a vessel into which everyone, regardless of circumstance, can pour their visions of a country and its people. His story is so well-known, so ingrained in the minds of the Filipino people, that it long ago became a commodity. It is an argument against limits, a source of pride amid despair, and hope amid hopelessness. Pacquiao's life is like scripture in the Philippines. Mostly, I am here to see firsthand how the most popular man in the Philippines became one of the most powerful athletes in the world. I have come here to spend a week observing Pacquiao as a political entity and to see firsthand how his alliance with Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has turned him into a front-runner to succeed Duterte when the country elects a new president in 2022. I have been waiting for the music to stop, or for the phone to be answered Pacquiao, apparently, has been waiting for me. The music continues, and by the time it becomes clear the Godfather theme is going to take this ride with us, Pacquiao's assistant, David Sisson, motions for me to begin asking questions. Each time, he looks at the phone to check the caller and places it back in his lap. After a few notes, it's clear he's not going to answer the calls or stop the music. Pacquiao's phone is ringing continually in the car, and each time the theme from "The Godfather" fills the sealed cabin. Ten cases of red wine are about to be hauled into the living room for the after-party. Three laundry-sized bags of boxing gloves sit in the entry, waiting for his signature. Home is where this line of cars is eventually headed, where two makeup artists and two hairdressers are setting up shop. During the past week, I have seen him be serenaded with "Happy Birthday" an infinite number of times in a near-infinite number of places: a sporting goods store in a high-end Manila mall, his Senate office, the Senate floor, his home. ![]() Pacquiao's birthday is only half-jokingly considered an unofficial national holiday. It's his 41st birthday, and preparations for tonight's massive and lavish party - an annual exercise in opulence, idolatry and patronage - have been in the works for weeks. They have no idea the country's most famous man is behind the darkened windows and chirping motorcycles. Pacquiao looks out the window at the endless scroll of tired faces peering down from dirty buses and up from tiny cars on this eternally congested beltway. The Senate session has recessed for Christmas, and the holiday traffic has turned a 10-minute drive on Manila's main highway, the EDSA, into an hour. ![]() Outside the windows, the alleys and side streets clog with people and motorbikes and bicycles. There are two police motorcycles in front, weaving around Manila traffic, their cartoonish horns burping out pleas for space that doesn't exist. ![]() A security van hugging the back bumper is filled with Pacquiao's assistants and several members of the National Police, their fingers on the triggers of the M16s that lie across their laps. SENATOR MANNY PACQUIAO is sitting in the second row of a black government Escalade, his left foot on the center console, a 9 mm handgun in the seatback in front of him. The 76-year-old Duterte accused Pacquiao of having "very shallow knowledge" of the maritime dispute, and even dared him to prove corruption in the government.You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browserĪ week in Manila with Manny Pacquiao: senator, boxer. Pacquiao and Duterte, who occupied the two highest positions in PDP-Laban, earlier traded barbs after the President took offense at the senator's remarks on corruption and the government's actions in the West Philippine Sea. "There was no talk of politics but a renewal of friendship," he said.Īlso present in the meeting were Duterte's top aide, Sen. " It was a short and cordial meeting requested by the camp of the good Senator," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said. Manny Pacquiao met face-to-face on Tuesday night in Malacañang, months after their public falling out that cost the senator his leadership at one of the country's oldest political parties.īoth Malacañang and Pacquiao's camp confirmed the senator's meeting with the President, adding the two discussed matters related to Mindanao development, particularly on infrastructure and the power industry.
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