the computer game Pacman was one of those games i always remember way back my childhood. its one of those games that time that seemed exciting, non-violent and quite entertaining. we would always play Pacman with the classic Nintendo Family Computer and put on that big piece of game cartilage in the red and white colored family computer. then grab the joysticks and off to go.
but today, when we speak of Pacman it would probably equate to the famous Filipino boxer, Manny Pacquiao.
i’m not really a fan of boxing or any other sports in the world. but i guess Pacman did hit this one on me.
the news on TV, print and internet was filled with the victory of Pacquiao on his recent fight with Diaz. he’s everywhere! and i was quite annoyed. during his past fights, i would always place a bet on his opponent, and consequently, i always ended up the loser of the game. incredibly, Pacquiao always claimed victory. with my little compliance and faith with his talent he still managed to win. but after having the Four world champion belts, i was convinced that Manny Pacquiao is really great. he really has talent and was born to be a great boxer. a national treasure of the Philippines.
aside from his previous victory, the thing that really punched me was his charisma. thousands of Filipinos around the world, stopped the time just to watch and throw support to him. cinemas, sports complex, gyms, karinderyas, sari-sari stores, and i bet even your own TV’s was set to watch that fight. jeepney drivers would sacrifice their salaries just to see the fight. even the Sulpicio claimants has temporarily diverted to excitement and joy while watching the fight. i mean, even for three hours of Pacman’s fight full of punches and blood, the Filipino community stopped and showed unity. throwing away all the issues and crisis in their heart just to see the punch.
Pacman’s victory was like a spray of anesthesia that numbed the Filipino pain. it made us sleepy, forgetful and unconscious of the crisis we have. People was unaware that the president was on US doing her political solicitations. the Sulpicio tragedy had fewer publicity and was off topic now. the typhoon Frank casualties was swept off the airwaves. not to mention the increasing price of gasoline and rice. it was indeed an effective anesthetic.
Pacman eats them all, connotatively and denotatively speaking.
