He came, he was seen, and he was loved.
A crowd of adoring fans couldn’t help but mob and applaud Filipino boxing icon and Saranggani Rep. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao when he breezed into Dumaguete for several speaking engagements last Thursday.{{more}}
From the moment he stepped off the plane from Manila, Pacquiao, who came to Silliman on the invitation of the SU College of Law, the College of Education, and the National Service Training Program, was stopped every step of the way for photos, autographs, and handshakes.
From the airport, Pacquiao motored to the home of SU President Dr. Ben Malayang III for breakfast. But before he could enter the President’s home, a group of Masscom alumni who had just finished a three-mile walk at the University’s East quadrangle, met the champ and had the first of a string of photo ops for the day.
“This is my lucky day,” gushed a fan. “Who would have thought we would have this chance to meet Manny Pacquiao?”
Pacquiao, in a dapper barong Tagalog, looked pretty much at home amid the company of sweaty fitness buffs in their exercise attire.
The high point of Pacquiao’s visit was a speaking engagement at 10 a.m. at the Luce Auditorium, where he spoke on the University’s 109th Founder’s Day theme Raised on Eagle’s Wings.
“There’s an eagle inside us waiting to be discovered, waiting to be developed,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao said he discovered the eagle in him in the midst of poverty, but did not allow the adversities and difficulties in life from pursuing and reaching his dreams.
He said he remained focused regardless of the obstacles and did not remove his focus from the target until he was able to grab it.
Pacquiao, a seven-division world champion, the first boxer in history to win nine world titles in seven different weight divisions, and the first boxer in the history to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes, said his vision is clear: “I want to be remembered, not just a world class boxer, but as a passionate servant leader.”
“Champions are not afraid of storms, winners are not afraid of problems, leaders are not afraid of challenges, lawyers are not afraid of arguments, while eagles do not only survive in the boxing ring, they win world titles. They do not only deliver speeches, they deliver services,” Pacquiao said.
“Champions do not rely on what they knew years ago. They have to keep learning, to constantly update themselves, the number one pound-for-pound boxer in the world, said.
Like his boxing style, Pacquiao’s speech was characterized by direct one-liners which drew a hearty applause from the mostly student crowd.
College Law dean Mikhail Lee Maxino said Pacquiao exemplifies hardwork and perseverance, dedication and humility.
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