"Babawi Tayo"

“Babawi Tayo”

This was what Manny told the fans days after his defeat against Marquez.  I admired him for this. This is reassuring. By saying this, Manny rightly thought that millions of his fans felt “knocked down” too and they have to be cheered up . By whom? Ironically by Manny himself who is  practically at his deepest morale following his defeat. Despite being at the low spirits, he stands up, shakes off the dust of defeat and reassures his fans of the inevitable coming of a new day, a fresh start. 

I don’t agree with Mommy D that it is Manny’s change of religion that caused his defeat. Neither do I agree with the insinuations that Marquez won because he remains a Catholic and in fact availed of the “blessing” before the fight from Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo who linked typhoon Pablo to our favorable view on RH Bill. It is as if RH Bill equals decades of logging, mining and other wanton destruction of the environment. 

Comparing Manny’s attitude with Pabillo’s “theology of destruction” I can say that it is Manny who reads and understands the Bible better. He is theologically mature  compared to the bishop who spent many years in the seminary.  

I agree with Boboy Fernandez’s theory of “over confidence” that plagued Manny’s camp. If one is over confident, complacency sets in. When one is  complacent, he becomes lazy. A camp with lazy soldiers places its gates and trenches open to enemy’s easy attacks. 

Rightfully, it unfurls a silk carpet to “victory hungry” Marquez. 

I don’t exactly expect or hope for a  Pacquiao- Marquez V. It’s enough that Manny assures the Filipinos of a “babawi tayo” attitude. Outside or inside the boxing ring is not so important to me. What is important is that we, as a people, have to rise again after being knocked down by many typhoons  in our lives. 

“Babawi Tayo.”