Pacquiao comeback to lift spirit

REGARDLESS of who you are, you were not spared from the pain and agony of the images of the devastation left by Superthypoon “Yolanda” in the Visayas.

Yes, Luzon and Metro Manila eluded the wrath of this typhoon but no one could escape the horror, as the tragedy happened not somewhere else in the world but here in the Philippines.

News reports were filled with images of towns and cities torn to shreds by the winds, rains, floods and storm surges. The spirit of the people to survive after losing loved ones, homes and simple possessions was broken at first but has now managed to be buoyed by the generosity of many.

The relief operations have just begun and it will take more than a plastic bag with a bottle of water and some food to restore life, as we once knew it.

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Manny Pacquiao, who returns to the ring against Brandon Rios in Macau this coming weekend, has found his inspiration and impetus to wage not only his comeback but that of his battered nation as well.

It could be all personal, of course, because Pacquiao does need a convincing win after two straight setbacks.

But Pacquiao is aware of his value and impact on the country. He knows that a win, more so a sensational one, will reenergize many of those who try to survive with the barest of roofing over their heads or the leanest of meals to get by.

Pacquiao’s training camp has been relatively quiet, devoid of the usual hoopla and crises that usually accompany his preparations.

In many editions of HBO’s “24/7” documentaries on Pacquiao fights, the Pacman’s activities outside of training were dubbed as “distractions.” It can be concluded that the camp has now been all business, with the focus clearly on extracting a decisive win against the youthful Rios.

This is all good for Pacquiao, who is now coming to terms with the tailend of an illustrious career. Age and the wear and tear of too many battles will soon become variables even if the athlete tries to ignore them.

The mind and the spirit are always willing to go one more round but the body does have its own tolerance, regardless of the amount of training poured in.

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All are hoping that the end will be as spectacular as Pacquiao’s climb.

The knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez is not the last image we want of the man who has stirred our collective imagination and belief that, yes, the Filipino can conquer on the international stage.

Rios will probably not be Pacquiao’s last opponent but the first in a final surge to preserve the Pacquiao legacy.

This is not to put undue pressure on Pacquiao. All we want is to see him slugging and connecting in the same way that the Filipino spirit is kicking after Yolanda’s fury. We want to see him at his best and Pacquiao knows he will have to be.

We also do not want to have as our lasting images of our country the devastation wrought by a force of nature. We want to see the Filipino again taking on whatever life offers and our spirit soaring once more.