Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao's Story of Hope, Resilience, and Never Say Never Determination

I went to the bookstore today to buy something,
then I chanced upon this book right at the "Featured Books Section".
I am talking about Manny Pacquiao's autobiography:

Pacman: My Story of Hope, Resilience, and Never-Say-Never Determination


It caught my attention, not because the book appears to be written by Manny Pacquiao himself, but because for quite some time now,
I have learned to admire the guy.

I am not so much of a boxing fan myself, but who could miss the national fervor when it comes to our much celebrated Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao? Whenever it's his scheduled fight abroad, to a certain extent, the whole country pauses from its regular activities, and "fights" with him. His victory is likewise shared by most of my countrymen, that at the end of the day, there is a sense of national esteem experienced and shared by most Filipinos.


But see, that was not the case during his earlier "fights" in life.
He was practically against life's odds, so to speak, and there was not much who stood and struggled with him to the win. The massive crowds today who cheer for him in his fights in the boxing ring, were never there yesterday when he fought against poverty, lack of opportunities, broken dreams, and all.


Today he is celebrated as a hero, but before all these, he was close to zero - except for innate hope, resilience, and never say never determination. Being born in a very poor family, left behind by their father for another woman, he practically had to support a family of five. He didn't have the opportunity to pursue higher education. Early on, he dreamed of becoming a Roman Catholic priest, but due to financial lack, his mother couldn't send him to seminary. For this reason, Manny Pacquiao pursued boxing to earn a living and put food on the table.


I celebrate Manny Pacquiao, not just for his present boxing victories, but most specially for how he was truly a fighter in life. A lot of Filipinos live below poverty level. Most of them are in that condition for almost the very same contributing factors that Manny Pacquiao had experienced early on. The way out of that predicament might not be through the same route and opportunity that Manny Pacquiao had. But each one somehow needs to have that similar "heart" that Manny Pacquiao had through it all. 


In this fight in life, no one wins by grumbling, finger pointing, or lazily waiting for the right opportunities to come. Worse, no one wins by doing nothing, hoping on luck, depending on dole outs, cutting corners, or involving in corrupt practices. 


Yes, life is never easy. 
Sometimes, solutions to life's challenges are easier said than done.
But no one said it can never be done. Right?
In these challenging times in our lives, 
one of the most important things you can do for yourself,
is to avoid grumblers, and "nay-sayers". 
Instead, surround yourself with people who are not denying reality,
yet see these challenges from a winner's perspective.
Let them inspire you with their lives, their faith, their resilience and determination. 


I can't have all of these kinds of people around me.
But thanks to books these days, in a way it makes up for the absence, to a certain degree.
I myself can begin doing that through Manny Pacquiao's autobiography:


Pacman: My Story of Hope, Resilience, and Never-Say-Never Determination