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.
Our modest proposal is this: Unless today’s Filipino youth research their history with as much thoroughness as they do the recent releases for the PS3, we will always easily be swayed by recent formulations of “heroism” and personal virtue rather than drawing real strength from the values of our ancestors. We have a rich history, no amount of appeals to “modern relevance” (made amazing ly cheap by mass media’s hero worship of sports stars), practical expediency and “anticolonial” fads will dissipate the real value we can take from Rizal’s work.
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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.
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.
They cant be comared but if we are talking about the present and theyare both alive I would rather choose Manny pacquiao
I like Manny Pacquiao and he gave pride to the country, skillful in specific sports only. But whoever FAVOR this in comparison to Dr. Jose Rizal was definitely a shortminded individual without sense of ethics and decency. A big insult to the people of the Philippines without regard. They need to go back to school to understand how and why Dr. Jose Rizal became the National Hero. First and foremost of all reasons were Education, Dignity and Pride that his willing to sacrifice all for his country. But not as pride of the country. There’s a big difference. I guess mindless to whoever thing the idea does NOT know the true definition of a Hero. It’s not all strength and courage but also “NOBLE” qualities.
What makes money more heroic than Rizal? I just simply don’t get it. Manny is not willing to die for his country. Yes he gave us fame in the sports field, but that’s all he gave us. Unlike Rizal who died for our freedom.. Is that less heroic than fighting on the ringside with referees and with cash prizes.. Remember, Rizal died without a cash prize.. Manny gave us fame because there is a money involved.
Manny Pacquiao can be considered as a hero but in different ways. Jose Rizal showed his love for his country through his pen and paper, Manny Pacquiao uses his gloves.
i admire manny for his genius in sports. there are different kinds of genius- a genius in math, in literature, in music/arts, or a genius in sports. manny is no less of a genius than those who have high levels of IQ. his genius is in his skills as one of the greatest boxers that have lived. i do not know much about boxing but i know enough to believe that manny pacquiao is a great boxer. that said, let us not diminish rizal’s heroism by comparing rizal’s genius to manny’s genius. it’s like comparing apples and oranges; an apple is no less of a fruit than an orange. they are both fruits but have different flavors. rizal has proven his mettle in the annals of history. like all heroes, he is human and has his flaws. much has been said about his flaws too but let us not disrespect our national hero by taking away from him his rightful place in history when he is no longer alive to defend himself. let manny be a hero to the masses. let the street urchins admire him and hope to make something of themselves by emulating manny. the government has failed the poor and perhaps these street urchins will not hear of rizal’s greatness (given that they can’t go to school). let manny then play a role in the lives of the dejected who find hope in him- that perhaps, if they display the kind of dedication that manny has for his sport, they too can make it big. but letting manny do that does not mean we have to put rizal in the garbage. if only for rizal’s genius reflected in noli me tangere and el filibusterismo, then let us give him the respect he deserves. these two great works reflect the kind of genius that a Filipino can have. Filipinos are great boxers, why not. But we are also great singers (like lea salonga) or great literary geniuses like rizal was. manny is a part of our recent history. but so is rizal part of our past, an important past that we as a people should not forget.
Pacquiao can be a hero in a different way. Unlike Jose Rizal, he showed his love for his country through his two weapons, A paper and a pencil unlike pacquaio.
Manny Pacquiao is considered as hero in our country because he gave us fame.
LOL @ MDJ, you must come from a pathetic school hating on UP, Ateneo and La Salle
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It is really true that Manny makes the Philippines known and famous with his every fights, But all of these are not just for us, but more for himself. He fights not only for our country but also for the sake of money. We were just lucky to have him as our fellow countryman, and that we have someone to be a proud of.
Unfair ito sa ibang magagaling nating athletes!!!
Like
Paeng
Efren Bata
etc..
Nagdala rin ng fame sa pinoy yang mga yan, pero bakit si Manny lang ang hero?
Ayoko ng maging sundalo, makapagboxing na lang para maging hero!!
Manny Pacquiao is a remarkable athlete and he brings pride to the Filipino people. Sports icon, yes. Hero, no.
He boxes for his money. There’s nothing wrong with that, though. But it would be wrong if we classify his personal pursuit as heroism.
The pride he brings to the Filipino people is great but its not enough to be called heroism.
Yes, the concept of “National Hero” is very American. But that does not remove the fact that Gat Jose Rizal stood up to his ideals to death and that his works sparked the revolution.
It would also be wrong to think of Rizal as an elitist just because he was part of the elite. Has he not schooled and educated indio children?
hahaha! it just means to say that this person who wrote this essay dont know any single thing about jose rizal and about what rizal did for his country,ahahha! what a poor guy!