A Week of Heroes

By Val G. Abelgas

Photo by Joe Cobilla

I was in Las Vegas over the weekend, and of all places in the world, the Sin City gave me at least two reasons to feel proud as a Filipino.

On Saturday, Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao made millions of his countrymen all over the world proud to be a Filipino, when he completely overwhelmed Mexican legend Erik Morales, sending the tough Mexican to the canvas thrice en route to a third-round knockout victory in their third and final bout. I raised my fist and screamed my voice hoarse just like the rest of the thousands of Filipinos inside the cavernous Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas each time the Pacman landed a powerful punch. I’m certain I felt goose bumps all over my body with our countryman’s triumph. It was much a victory for the Filipino people as it was for Manny Pacquiao.

I’ve had the privilege of watching all three fights between Pacquiao and Morales in Las Vegas as an accredited media member, and in all three fights, including the first, which Pacquiao lost on a unanimous decision, Pacquiao showed to the world how tough Filipinos can be. He never clinched in any of the fight, and pushed forward with barrage of punches despite being stung by Morales with powerful shots.

While Pacquiao fought fiercely in the ring, his Filipino fans battled with the equally fanatic Mexicans in the stands and the bleachers, exchanging jeers and cheers, waving flags and banners, and meeting the Mexicans’ chants of “Mexico! Mexico! Mexico!” with “Manny! Manny! Manny!”

Although the Filipino fans matched the Mexicans, decibel per decibel, I must confess that I felt disappointed that the Mexicans showed more patriotism and national pride than the Filipinos. While the beautiful Sarah Geronimo was singing the national anthem, the Filipinos repeatedly cheered and screamed each time Pacquiao’s face was flashed on the screen and but a handful joined Sarah in singing the “Lupang Hinirang.”

In contrast, the Mexicans joined in the singing of their national anthem, with most of them placing their hand on their chest. In addition, while the Filipinos shouted just the name of Manny, the Mexicans shouted the name of their country.

Clearly, the Mexicans were there because of national pride, while the Filipinos were there mainly to root for their idol. Nonetheless, the presence and the cheering of the Filipino fans was a source of pride for all of us who were in the arena.

With the hangover of the Pacquiao victory still with me, I joined several Filipinos in watching another source of pride for the country the next day. The Society of Seven (SOS) and Lisa Misalucha wowed the standing room only crowd at the Main Showroom of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino on The Strip. More than half of the audience were tourists from mainstream America and foreign countries. Many of them gave Lani and the SOS one standing ovation after another, the longest of which was after Lani, the new diva of Las Vegas, performed an opera piece, which revealed the power of her soprano voice.

The outstanding performance of the Society of Seven became even more pronounced with the proclamation that they have been chosen to be included in Las Vegas’ famed Walk of the Stars, which is similar to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, for the group’s achievements as long-time entertainers in The Strip. Prior to their taking Las Vegas by storm, the Society of Seven was a legend in Honolulu where they awed Hawaii residents and tourists for many years.

If you happened to be in Las Vegas, I would advise you to watch the SOS and Lani at the Flamingo. If you have not been to Las Vegas, you now have a reason to be there.

For a people desperately searching for heroes to lift them from poverty and despair, the week just passed saw not just two, but several reasons to be proud as Filipinos.

Earlier in the week, the Philippines’ Ronnie Alcano won the World Pool Championship held in Manila, winning $100,000, an additional P1 million bonus from Malacanang, the Order of Lakandula from Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and incentives from San Miguel Corp., not to mention the admiration of millions of Filipinos.

And then Filipino-American professional dancer Cheryl Burke won the finals of the popular “Dancing With the Stars” for the second straight year, this time with football legend Emmit Smith. With her unprecedented triumph, Cheryl helped Filipinos get the attention of Hollywood.

Later, we heard news of three more Filipinos winning acclaim in various fields. In Seoul, South Korea two young Filipinos were voted among the Jaycee International’s “Ten Outstanding Young Persons” in the world.

Iliac Angelo Diaz was chosen for his “business, economic and entrepreneurial accomplishments.” He was described by the JCI as a “social entrepeneur” who has established several companies that provide “sustainable solutions to social problems.” He was credited for establishing, among other endeavors, the PierOne Seafarers Dormitory, which provides safe and temporary housing for Filipino seamen while looking for jobs in Manila, and MyShelter Foundation, which builds clinics and classrooms, and finding housing solutions in the rural areas.

Juan Sajid Imao, an artist nearly blind from retinitis pigmentra, was chosen for his personal accomplishments despite his physical handicap. A sculptor who specializes in brass and portraiture, Imao was chosen because “he showed that it is possible to overcome physical disability and continue to pursue lofty goals.” Imao is the son of National Artist for Sculpture Abdulmari Imao.

A Filipino teacher, on the other hand, was adjudged one of the most innovative teachers in the world by Microsoft Corporation’s Worldwide Innovative Teachers Forum held in Philadelphia, which was attended by more than 100 teachers from more than 30 countries. English teacher Cecilia Estoque of Agusan National High School in Butuan City was chosen in the “Innovation in the Community” category.

Pacquiao will most certainly return to the Philippines with ticker-tape parades and more accolades from Malacanang, as did billiard’s Alcano. While we do not wish to diminish the outstanding achievements of Pacquiao and other sports personalities, we do hope that the government would not fail to just even congratulate Cheryl, Diaz, Imao and Estoque.

Without a doubt, Pacquiao, Alcano, Bata Reyes, Django Bustamante and the other sportsmen have brought pride and attention to a country that is becoming a pariah in the community of nations because of rampant corruption and unending political killings and repression. But that should not diminish the achievements of the teachers, artists and business leaders, who continue to bring prestige to the name Filipino.