MANILA, Philippines – The article of Edward Tolentino on CNN about Manny Pacquiao cites a scene in the movie, “The Dark Knight Rises” when Selina Kyle (Catwoman) said to Batman:
“You don’t owe these people anymore. You’ve given them everything.”
The Dark Knight replies:
“Not everything. Not yet.”
Tolentino is correct in saying that Pacquiao is “treading the same dangerous curve.”
Based on what is currently going on with Manny Pacquiao, the hero has “fallen” but the fall is only temporary. He could be likened, indeed, to Batman, who has risen from the ashes of Gotham City, to save it once more from ultimate destruction in the hands of villain Bane and his cohorts.
Although Juan Manuel Marquez is not a villain per se, who is out to destroy the world, the idea of Pacquiao rising again from his defeat could be associated with what Batman replied to Selina Kyle (Cat Woman):
“Not everything. Not yet.“
In spite of his wife and his mother’s plea for him to retire, Manny Pacquiao has promised his fans:
“We will rise again!”
He assured reporters that he would not be retiring, but would be fighting again after the 120 day-suspension given by WBO following his knock-out loss in the hands of Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez.
Does this mean that he is willing to fight in spite of the danger to his life, and do what the Dark Knight was willing to offer- his life?
Some fans are praying for him to retire because he could also render honest and dedicated service to the Filipino people through politics, being the Congressman of the lone district of Sarangani in the Philippines.
There are also fans who would like him to rise again and reclaim his place as the No. 1 pound-for-pound boxing superstar.
Meanwhile, another Filipino fighter, Nonito Donaire, would be fighting Jorge Arce on Saturday, December 15, 2012 in Houston, Texas for the World Junior Featherweight Championship.
Could Donaire – also called “The Filipino Flash” – equal what Manny Pacquiao accomplished? Most probably after several years more, but there will always be one Pambansang Kamao, and that’s Manny Pacman Paquiao.
Would Manny Pacquiao prefer to “die” fighting, or would he just give up and leave events as they are?
Whatever plans Manny Pacquiao pursues in the future, Pacman does not need to prove anything to anyone because he is already a boxing legend and an icon, and the Philippines’ Pambansang Kamao” and National Treasure.
