Manny Pacquiao is a better hero than Jose Rizal
It might seem outlandish but a quick factual comparison yields the inescapable conclusion that Manny Pacquiao is a bigger hero than Jose Rizal. Jose Rizal has, since American colonial days, the default “hero” for every Filipino schoolkid to emulate. Historical facts show otherwise. In fact, it is Manny Pacquiao who exhibits more “heroic” virtues than Rizal ever could.
Rizal became a “hero” when Americans selected him as a hero and indoctrinated young Pinoys in American-run schools. American colonial officials needed to select a “local hero” for pacification and colonial purposes. Rizal’s story is exactly what they needed to keep the Pinoy “in his place.”
Pacquiao initially met Pinoy skepticism but won their grudging respect by actually winning boxing fights. He earned his respect. It wasn’t imposed or promoted for him.
Rizal was an illustrado. Meaning he viewed himself as higher than the “indio” or masa filipino. In fact, his life’s work was more about gaining spanish respect for illustrados than for equality and dignity for indigenous non-mestizo filipinos.
Pacquiao is as purely indigenous Filipino as it gets. From his appearance to his behavior, he exemplifies the true filipino majority in the Philippines that he neither traces his bloodline from other countries or feels particular pride for such mixed race origins
Rizal wasn’t particularly loyal to the Philippines. Rizal wanted to remain part of Spain. In fact, he wanted to volunteer as a doctor in their colonial administration.
Pacquiao is always proud to be Filipino, anytime, anywhere. You can see it in how he carries himself, the language he speaks, his humility, his subscription to the Pinoy tradition of “balato.” He doesn’t talk down to Filipinos but relishes being ONE of them. That’s one element many Pinoy “heroes” like Quezon, Rizal, etc (except maybe Magsaysay) sorely lack.
Jose Rizal’s heroism reflects the middleclass and elite background of his supporters. Rizal’s many academic and intellectual interests (many of them amateur interests) are foisted upon the poor “masa” of indigenous Filipinos as proof of ilustrado superiority and worthy of emulation.
Pacquiao’s herosim reflects his diverse personal history of working with his hands: he worked from warehouse hauler to delivery man. In essence, his work experience and his lack of disdain for hard physical labor reflects the majority of Filipinos’ experiences. Over 70% of Filipinos can be classified as “poor.” Pacquiao’s experience speaks to and reflects the experiences of this majority.
Maybe if Filipinos realized who the real heroes are in their ranks our country won’t be the perennial economic and social basket case that it is.
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December 14th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
How has Pacquiao SACRIFICED for his country?
How has he inculcated heroic virtues among the majority of Filipinos?
Has his example resulted in positive changes for the Philippines?
The gap between the rich and the poor is still widening, a majority of Filipinos still rate themselves poor according to the latest polling (SWS), etc.
You raise some good points about ELITE heroism and POPULAR heroism. Similar to Gramsci’s theory of Organic heroes versus institutional heroes. Regardless, there doesn’t seem to be any impact where it counts–on the ground.
December 15th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Thank you for the best essay I’ve read in a while!
I agree 100000000% Manny’s heroism is by example. He shows many poor Filipinos that hard work and dedication truly pay off. I don’t detect one iota of API mentality from him.
Anyway, many so-called “educated” and ‘elite’ Pinoys hate him because he a) makes more money than them b) has more humility and humanity than them and c) is internationally acclaimed. As you know, many Pinoy elites crave international recognition but can’t get it (unless it’s for corruption and backwardness).
To the Manny haters: call Manny a savage monkey all you want, he makes idiots of all of you–can your UP Diliman, Ateneo, or La Salle diplomas produce the BILLIONS he produces?
I thought so.