Pound For Pound Politicians And That High Singin’ Dude From The Record Store

May 11, 2009

 

All hail Pacman and his victory over that bloody drinkin’ dude. Some photos show him immediately drinking post-match – I think it should be Shotman instead of Hitman, if you catch my drift.

Yep, Manny is certainly the King of the Ring right now, or as most aficionados would accord him, the Best Pound for Pound Fighter on the planet.

I really enjoyed that match, though it was so damn short. I was expecting more really, and I wasn’t counting much on a knockout after seeing Hatton who stood firm at the weigh in, with a body that could be akin to battleship armour. But then again, as with any ship, the hull is strongest along the waterline, but weakest on the deck. Seems like even his chin wasn’t tough enough to take that left hander, and off he went to sleepydom.

But as much as Manny puts the ‘P’ in punch, it seems that he has eyes on other things again – yes! It’s the same as before, but now, he wants to put the ‘P’ in politics, and not a few people are willing to take him on for the post. I actually haven’t been following the news very much these days, but my view is the same as before. I’ve written something about his past intent to enter the world of politics. He’s a boxer right, and king of the ring for that matter. He’s built well and built tough, so tough that he has taken down a number of Mexicans, along with a Briton and a hapless Thai, who both have suffered the same fate. But politics isn’t like doing a million sit-ups, jump rope, sparring and jogging to the tune of Rocky. It’s more like about being in a town hall, and going over the decisions of how to help the people. You read piles of paperwork, then decide if what you just read in red-tape and meant for the shredder, or if it can actually help the people. You represent your constituency in Imperial Manila, and try to not start a shouting match while settling on decisions of national, or at least, local importance.

Let’s see a related thing that happened very recently.

Manny came from a place that is said to have been penetrated by the now equally famous SI H1N1. Now, Malacanan Palace has advised him to undergo some measures aimed to safeguard, both him and the nation. Even the WHO has given word that he and his posse undergo some measures to ensure that they have not become hapless carriers. Then we suddenly have Manny, back in the country – apparently in defiance of government orders, and strode right past the airport people.

What kind of attitude was that?

The WHO and the Palace’s demands were very easy to meet, but here he is, with an air of defiance that could have stopped even a heavyweight’s uppercut. With his example, I really don’t see how he could become an effective role model, or even someone who would even give out effective decisions. He couldn’t even follow simple rules, and showed adamant disregard – to the nation who has supported him, to the government that actually lays down the law while not following it at times, and the WHO, who sits smack with the UN and informs us if we’re all going to hell in a handbasket.

With that display, he has just taken his name off his list of the people who could follow instructions. He probably didn’t become a carrier, but he has just infected a number of people in the now defunct belief that ‘It’s the thought that counts.’.

Manny, do us all a favor, and stick with the gloves.

Now let’s see, there’s another one… Aha! Martin Nievera.

He sang the national anthem in that match, albeit in a manner that made the nationally conscious folks – myself included, cringe with his ‘Ang mamatay ng….da…hil……….sa yoooooooooooooooooooo!’. It was funny at first, but then it turned infuriating when he came out in an interview claiming that he would not apologize and that he did nothing wrong.

Now I do not know the exact clauses of the rules regarding the national flag and anthem, but as far as I remember – and as best that I can sum it up – it should be sung in the manner that Julian Felipe wrote it.

Here’re some of what I dug up about the so-called Heraldic Code.

R.A. 8491 specifies that Lupang Hinirang “shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.”

R.A. 8491 specifies fine or imprisonment penalties for any person or juridical entity which violates its provisions.

Yes, 4/4, marching beat and last F note ending in it’s proper place, which is the one along middle C. Martin’s version went way higher, probably the next octave. He may have done it for many reasons, probably including the very Pinoy trait of exaggerating songs.

Proponents of his singing argue he’s an artist, but still, there are times when artistry has to take the backseat in favor of nationally observed codes. He claims he sang with all his heart, which could be the case, but singing with his heart along the proper and required ways to sing the anthem wouldn’t be so bad too.

And now, he’s defiant of that the fact that authorities think it’s not appropriate. I think that he’s being ordered to pay a fine on Php 5,000 to 20,000 – what’s that? That’s just what he brings to the mall on a Saturday. It’s not gonna affect him in any way. If you ask me, such offenders should be thrown in the slammer for a while, for disrespect to national icons and relics. No bail, nothing just serve the sentence and get a police record for the offense.

What’s wrong with singing the national anthem the same way for the past 111 years? We can sing other songs in other ways, but certainly Lupang Hinirang deserves better treatment and respect, far more than what some mainstream pop singers can even begin to offer.

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Off to some sadder stuff. I’ve to go home to Romblon to attend my grandfather’s burial. He’s been in ailing health and it’s sad that I’m going home a few days too late. Oh well, so I’ll be half day on Friday, arrive on Saturday morning to attend the ceremonies, catch the evening ferry back, and be home on Sunday – I hope! Ah well, all too sobering. Gotta hustle up the with the reports.

The late Edring, as he was affectionately known in his small town, had been a practicing attorney and notary public for the past 45 years, and is quite a known figure there. When you get off the pier, you just tell the jeep ‘Bahay ni attorney‘, and he’ll drive you there, no questions asked. A well loved sabong aficionado, he is a respected breeder of fighting birds. He’s also a James Bond [Sean Connery] look-alike, which is why I’m not surpised why my lola had to put up fences around him to fend off any competition. In his late years though, he lost the Bond look, but never lost the love and affection of family members, both here and abroad.

Now, he’s up there somewhere, I hope the family will not fall into chaos. Well at least they can blow up Romblon, we’re far away anyways haha.

RIP Papa.

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Ah c’est la vie! ^_^