Fair Play: Actions vs. reactions

THIS was supposed to be the day when we anticipate what would have one great end to a great week for Philippine sports.

A Nonito Donaire Jr. win was supposed to cap it all off.

Now, we can hope that bad things do come in threes and threes only, and that Donaire will make it all right again.



First, the Philippines drew Singapore on Dec., 8, 0-0, before losing the in the second leg, 1-0, in the Lions’ den. And as one fan pointed out, it's been a downward spiral against Singapore in four games this year with scores of 2-0, 1-0, 0-0, and finally, 0-1.

In between those two football matches of course, is that one crushing defeat by Manny Pacquiao against Juan Manuel Marquez last Sunday, a fight that showed how quickly things changed in a second and Marquez showing the world what writer's mean when they say a fighter always has a puncher's chance to win a fight.

What really makes those losses tough to accept is that we could have all come out the winner, if only Pacquiao didn't get too careless in the final seconds of round six, and if only the defenders weren't caught napping in the 19th minute.

If only...but then again, if my aunt had balls, he'd be my uncle.

What's worse, of course, is the debate that happened after the two losses.

For Pacquiao, it was his religion, and for the Azkals, it's that tired pure Filipino ideology--as if there really is a pure Filipino among us.

It was a vicious right from Marquez that downed Pacquiao, not his failure to attend mass, wear the rosary or even make the sign of the cross. 

Besides, in almost all sports contests, players from both sides, almost all the time pray to a Supreme Being, by whatever name they call Him.  And I think if ever God would take sides in a sports contest, I'd think He'd pick to enlighten the referees.

As for the Azkals, one Nico Salva of Ateneo and of Smart Gilas, tweeted, "Now that the boring football match is over, can you now show the PBA game please?"  He defended it by saying that football never really interested him and that he does support the national team.  While one of his supporters said that at least "Nico is pure Filipino."

I tweeted back at Salva that I hope, "Whenever he plays for the country, he won't have to face insensitive tweets like he posted."

It wasn't boring. Biking, swimming and even basketball don't interest me, but when it comes to the national team seeing action, my interest always spike.  That's why even back in 2002, I was glued when we had that crushing defeat against South Korea, a game we could have won.  It wasn't boring.  It never is when you have Filipinos giving their all.

Yes, Filipinos.  Born here and abroad.  And if the basketball player's supporters want to talk about pure Filipinos then they should take the debate to the PBA, or even Ateneo itself considering he had for a teammate Greg Slaughter.

But of course, that's a silly debate. Rich and middle class folks in our country enjoy the fruits of a strong economy, which in turn, enjoy the fruits of our OFWs. So you could say these folks--and I just don't mean Nico Salva and his supporters---who love to put down Half-Filipinos are where they are today because of the OFWs.

What would happen to our economy if not for the OFWs?  These are the parents of the Half-Filipinos.

This was supposed to be a great week for Philippine sports, instead, we’re stuck in silly debates going against each other.  What was supposed the highlight of the best of Philippine sports instead has highlighted one of the ills—people who act getting dragged down by folks who just love to react.

On Sunday, it’s Nonito Donaire Jr.’s turn.  I hope he wins but let’s all pray that nobody gets seriously hurt.