Skip to main content

Manny Pacquiao on Boxing, Faith, Mayweather and the person behind the Manny Movie Documentary


"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." ~ Martin Luther King


At one of our family dinners, I mentioned that Manny Pacquiao  (MP) was expected to attend the Press Club Dinner Reception hosted by the Philippine Consulate General of New York, Mario de Leon, Jr.

Manny Pacquiao was in New York to promote his film, "Manny", which premieres in New York on Friday, January 23.



                    (L-R: Ambassador Mario de Leon, Jr., Manny Pacquiao, Eleanor de Leon)



To my surprise, my 13 year-old son was excited about the notion that I will be in the same room as the World Boxing Champion.

"I didn't know you like Manny Pacquiao. Why? " I asked.

(My 13 year-old at one of his gymnastics competition events)

"Mom, the kids at gymnastics used to call me Manny Pacquiao," my son replied.

"Mom, don't forget to get a selfie and ask him a few questions," he added.

I wasn't sure if I was going to have the courage to get a selfie with Manny Pacquiao (MP), but since it's a reception with the press, I promised that I would at least ask MP a question.

I remembered in one of our Disney vacations, before the age of the iPhones and selfies, the kids and I were in the same elevator as Ms. Julie Andrews and we kept quiet. Yes, we didn't even ask for an autograph! Can you imagine being in the same square footage as Mary Poppins? We silently smiled with beaming eyes and our hearts were jumping with joy but we didn't want to invade her privacy. Needless to say, that memory was kept in our hearts and minds. Unlike in today's age of social media and smart phones, every person's quick at taking a video clip and/or photograph.

Before Manny Pacquiao's arrival at the Dinner Reception, Ambassador Mario de Leon, Jr. reminded us that as Filipinos, we have the responsibility to the community, to be leaders and to give back - a message worth repeating to my children.

I don't watch boxing. I am not a fan, so I didn't know what to expect of Manny Pacquiao.


It's interesting that based on that brief encounter, my friend and I had 2 opposing impressions. My friend thought of Pacquiao as arrogant, while I thought he came across as a nice, humble individual.

In the beginning of the Q&A, Manny Pacquiao was asked about him being an "absent Congressman". Pacquiao dismissed his legislative duties, emphasized that he gives back to his countrymen and commented that he hoped that his constituents don't vote for him again.

I never thought of Manny Pacquiao as a legislator. The thought that he's a Congressman is something that made me frustrated with the Filipinos on voting celebrities to public office.

As a mother, I asked Manny Pacquiao what's his advice to young teenagers:






" My advice to them ( 13 year-olds) is to focus on studying.  If you ask me about my advice if they want to box, I’d tell them not to box.  Boxing is tough.  Even my kids, I don’t encourage them to box. Maybe, if you’re just looking at my life now, it seems easy because I’m already at the top, But if we’re going to look back at my past – it’s not.  What I went through – it’s like going through the hole of a needle."
In writing this, one of my regrets was forgetting to ask Pacquiao if he offers college scholarships to the poor rural high school students in the Philippines who are graduating this March.

When I asked him about faith and religion:






“If you don’t have relationship with the Lord, you will compromise your faith to do evil.”

"For our children, it is really a big responsibility for the parents to teach their children the right way.  Because if their children become wicked, become ungodly, it is not their fault  - it’s the fault of the parents. "


When asked about the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight:


If you're a boxing fan, you have to watch the video to analyze his reply.
Although Manny Pacquiao was the Special Guest that night, what impressed me the most was the Director’s personal story.  Ryan Moore, a Filipino-American, is the Director of Manny Pacquiao’s documentary.  Before that night, I read about him at Cristina Dc Pastor's article at theFilAm.net and was amazed at his accomplishments.


During the Q&A, Ryan Moore talked about his film-making journey. His passion for film-making started when he was 18. He didn't go to film school but he knew that it was something he wanted to do. The Manny Pacquiao movie took 5 years to make but Ryan Moore didn't give up.

To showcase the Filipino American experience - the struggles and the successes - was Moore's mission. The inspiration for making the movie, "Manny" came from his grandmother's life story of dedication and perseverance.


(Director Ryan Moore)

In making the film, Director Ryan Moore didn't let disappointments stop him from pursuing his dreams. He cold-called actor, Liam Neeson's agent, and because of Moore's determination, Liam Neeson agreed to narrate the movie and got Universal Pictures to distribute the film in theatres nationwide.

Ryan Moore is a person who visualized what he wanted to accomplish, pursued his passion and worked hard to get to the finish line - no matter what. So let's head to the movie theatres and support his first film, "Manny".

After the Q&A, as promised to my son, I asked Manny Pacquiao if he can pose for a photo, and so it happened!

 
 
Lessons learned that night: Focus on what you want, work hard, have faith and give back to the community.
Keep smiling :)


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Completed my first 16 Week IsaBody Challenge: Believe You Have A Purpose

My family is what matters most to me.  I’m 51 and a mother of 4 (ages 14 – 26). I wanted to be healthier, more active and stronger not just for me, but for the people I love.  I wanted to set an example for my family that we each possess the tools to master our wellness and vitality. I've always been petite except when I was pregnant ( when I gained an average of 50 pounds per pregnancy - 4 times!) Over the years I had tried various diet and exercise regimens, and I did enjoy a degree of success, but the results were not to the level I hoped for, and they were somewhat short lived.   Achieving stable, long-lasting results proved stubbornly elusive.    Then when I hit menopause everything became more difficult.    My body stopped cooperating altogether, and I was constantly grumpy. My waist and hips expanded and I found myself napping in the afternoons.    I started to accept the idea that there would be this new, less vibrant version of me. I just completed my P

Immigration and Family: Will my mom ever get to see my daughter walk down the aisle

Last year when my father passed away in the Philippines, I went home and took some time to visit the U.S. Embassy in Manila to ask what the options are for my mother to return to the U.S. The consul reminded me of the 10-year travel ban. That on or after November 8, 2015 — not earlier – or 10 years after my mom, was deported in 2005 for overstaying her visa, I can email the U.S. Embassy and inquire about my mother’s approved petition. I asked if I need to file another petition, and she informed me I didn’t have to. I asked if I could… and she stopped me and said to ask everything on or after November 8, 2015. This is where I am, and where my thoughts are drifting as I celebrate this month my 16th American birthday. I am counting the months, the weeks and the days. My daughter is getting married in January 2016 and I would love to have my entire family, especially my mother, to be here when that momentous occasion happens.

SPICE-up a young child's development: social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional

Children are the precious gems of a family. When they’re young and innocent, they are like sponges that willingly and quickly absorb any knowledge and emotion. That’s why at an early age, we encourage our children to read, be creative, be happy and feed their curiosity. With all the technology and instant gratification that children get from playing video or computer games, asking a child to read a good book has been a challenge for some parents .     “Your children are not your children.       They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.       They come through you but not from you,       And though they are with you, and yet they belong not to you.       You may give them your love but not your thoughts,        For they have their own thoughts.        You may house their bodies but not their souls,        For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,        which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.” -                     Kahlil Gibr

Helping others surpass their goals and expectations

"It's not about the end goal. It's who you become by consistently pushing to the edge of your limits." - Robin Sharma Do you ever wonder why you stumble on new things?  Do you ever wonder why unsuspecting strangers cross your path? Do you ever wonder why your mind takes you to a direction you didn't think exist? I was walking to StarBucks to meet my husband when I noticed a sign...

Still shaky, skidded in snow, but so blessed my guardian angels are looking after me!

"Never again wonder, what to be thankful for..."   - Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life It’s yet another snowy day in New Jersey. Beautiful, yes but dangerous! In line with my goal for this month is to get back on schedule. I got up around 4am to get my 15yo ready for his Model United Nations conference. (Thankful that our neighbor offered to drive him to school by 5:30am ) I got my 9yo ready for school and I'm thankful that my other neighbor offered to drive him to school. I then drove my husband to the train station to Manhattan. I decided to stop by the Community Center and decided to run a fast 5K on the treadmill. I was 1 mile short because I was so sweaty and hot. (Note to self: dress lightly next time) While cooling down inside the car, I read Day 14’s chapter of Rick Warren's the “Purpose Driven Life” book. I felt really good because it just reminded me that there is always something to be thankful for no matter how awful yo