THE PACQUIAO EFFECT

Just this afternoon, after I got home from the supermarket purchasing the supplies needed for our company's feeding program and after I have carefully divided and distributed the goods to the five clusters that we are serving.

I got all the things that I need ready for the ride as I will be transporting, I was standing by the side of the road waiting for about twenty minutes already and not a single tricycle passed by. Maybe because I was tired from queuing at the market or maybe because of the blaring sun and I forgot to bring even my sunglasses, I got a bit angry and started cursing inside of my head. Another worry for me is the goods that I am to deliver, I got several kilos of rice, different kinds of ingredients and condiments, and kilos of fresh chicken breast (we are cooking Arroz Caldo, a Filipino style porridge, for the coming week). The chicken is what I'm worried about, I just bought it and its still ice cold but it still run the risk of getting spoiled because of the heat.

A few more minutes and Aha!, my cursing is answered as “miraculously” (as if I believe in miracles) I saw a habal-habal approaching. I gather all my strength and courage and stepped in the middle of the road in an effort to block his way and give him no other choice but to stop and give me a ride (I'm desperate, will not take no for an answer). Luckily the driver obliged, hit the break and engaged into a full stop inches away from where I am standing, he looked me in the eye and I can see behind his motorcycle helmet that he is angry. He then asked me in a stern voice,

Driver: Unsa imong poblema bay? (What is your problem brother?)

Me: Kinahanglan lang nako ni mahatod ya, tabangi ko (I just need to get this delivered Elder Brother, please help me) while pointing to my goods.

Driver: Asa diay ka? (Where are you going?)

Me: Uhaw ra ya, sa Labos street (I'm going to Uhaw, in Labos St.)

Driver: Tara! (Let's go!)

So I loaded the supplies and off we go.

After a little while, the driver tried to have some chat, He asked me again why I need to stand in the middle of the road to block him. I tried to explain the need for urgency and my unreasonable actions, to which he just nodded and there further said,

Driver: Ambi nako magtan-aw ra kag Pacquiao (I thought you are just going to watch Pacquiao's match)

And then instantly it all made sense to me, haha! That's why the whole of General Santos City seemed like a ghost town since the early morning, Manny Pacquiao has a fight and I totally forgot it. That's why the queuing in the mall is not a long as it usually is and why there's hardly any vehicle traversing the highways.

Oh my! That explains everything, I really need to have a television in my room soon” I thought to myself and I felt my lips formed into a small smile.

It has been a Filipino custom since the day that Manny debuted in the international ring that whenever he has a fight the whole of General Santos City (others say the whole of Philippines) seems to freeze in time. Small, local businesses/enterprises close early, traffic drops from outrageously heavy to manageable in cities which entails lower road rage and vehicular related accidents of which Philippine is notorious. Even crime rates (both organized and petty) drops to, again, “miraculous” levels.

I have heard the Mandela Effect, Multiverse Effect and Parallel Reality Effect, I think I can consider this phenomenon in the Philippines as the Pacquiao Effect (Although the “Effects” I mentioned have no relation or similarity in premise and principle whatsoever with my just now thought about “Effect”). Most of the attributes of this effect is positive, as I have already mentioned on the preceding paragraph and not to mention the re-awakening of Nationalism (Patriotism?) of all Filipinos whenever Pacquiao has a fight, it exudes an atmosphere of unity and cohesion among Filipinos.

Believe it or not, Pacquiao's fights have been instrumental to solving some of the basic issues in the communities, at least as I observed here in our locality. Enemies forgave each other, broken families reunited, and relationships salvage just because or after watching his fight together, sounds funny? But it's true. His fights are like early Christmas and New Year celebrations where people gather together and have a laugh. It's an occasion where people become merry and giving, caring and forgiving. Sounds funny again? But it's true, again.

I don't know what other nationalities will say about this but the kind of Pacquiao is nothing new. There are other icons in world history that became unifying symbols of their respective nations. The Filipino people should be very thankful to Pacquiao for this, as I know most are except for some people who are trying to discredit him by mixing his deeds with his political policy allegiance (which is not that so bad at all).

I was stirred away from my momentary self thought when I heard the driver saying,

Driver: Asa ta mo agi bay? (What route are we going to take brother?)

And I realized that we are already on the intersection of Uhaw proper, I told him to take a left as I was still trailing away from my thinking.

When I got back to my apartment after the delivery was made, my landlady told me by shouting from the other side of the fence that Pacquiao won but unfortunately the other Filipino contender, Nonito Donaire did not have the same luck. I proceeded to my room and sat down in front of the window thinking.

It is a good thing Pacquiao happened to the Philippines, except maybe for some people who have important transactions during his fights (Like me earlier, haha) he really gives the Filipino that pride which is also connected to some very positive things. I know he already said that he is retiring a few times before this most recent match, that's why some people are bashing him. But hey, who doesn't do that? There's just this something in our lives that we will never be able to take away from ourselves, and in his case boxing is just in his blood and I don't see him neglecting his passion any time soon. Also, he's one of the reasons why Philippines got noticed and recognized again and have put the country in the world map, he truly is deserving of the title “Pambansang Kamao” (National Fist).

The Philippines needs more of the likes of Pacquiao, maybe not in boxing but Filipinos that will give the nation the reason to unite.

Thank you Manny for this “Pacquiao Effect”.