The Final Score: The Many Faces of Manny Pacquiao

The great one arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in a sharp three-piece suit, perfectly-parted hair, moustache and goatee. He looked like Wyatt Earp ready to vanquish outlaws in the Wild, Wild West. Or he was a Republican on the set of West Wing. He didn’t goof around. He didn’t play with the crowd like he normally does. Even in the chaos of a hero’s homecoming, Manny Pacquiao was stately.

Maybe it’s all part of the plan. Playful Manny, the one who had the moxie to launch a Pompyang punch FPJ would’ve been proud of in the middle of an international mega-bout, takes a backseat for now. No punch-lines. No sneakers. No sweat-suits. No kidding. It’s stately Manny’s turn to activate the charm. A boxing match has already been clinched. An election now needs to be conquered. Even in his business class seat on the plane, with media following his every move, Stately Manny stayed focused. He didn’t doze off or play cards in front of television cameras. Instead, we all see him reading a newspaper with his necktie firmly in place and cuffs properly buttoned. Despite the long flight home, the new Prince of Pompyang was dapper and dignified. The legendary posse was just as behaved. They queued around the great one like ROTC cadets during an important parade. Everyone seemed to be in their proper place. Everything seemed to be in proper rhythm. Presidentiables, patrons and close associates took their positions with beauty-pageant precision. No miscue can make Manny look less than stately. No error can make Manny less than serious. He now speaks of retirement. He now wants to honor the wishes of Mommy Dionisia. He mentions the party list he chairs, the party list which he wants to carry to victory in the same way he has shouldered the aspirations of a third world country in first world settings. Yet no gloves are involved. This is a different fight. He was asked about Floyd Mayweather, Jr. People expected him to throw the gauntlet like a street brawler smelling blood. He responded with restraint. In the home of his long-time patron Lito Atienza, we saw Manny on the couch, talking to someone on the phone. The coat is off but the tie is still firmly in place and his are cuffs still properly buttoned. He looks like a slick character in Oliver Stone’s Wall Street or a senator negotiating a deal for the blue-ribbon committee. Where’s the guy who sings karaoke before fight night? Where’s the guy with the quick one-liners for Jimmy Kimmel? Where’s the guy who charmed Joshua Clottey into submission? Where’s the guy who honored FPJ with boxing’s newest weapon – the Pacman Pompyang? I suppose there’s a time and place for everything. He is a family man at home, a ringmaster for the circus and a champion on top of the ring. The great one is out to win political battles this summer. And serious battles can only be won by serious people. -- Mico Halili, GMANews.TV