by Cecile Cinco

Who does not know Manny Pacquiao? With his 8-division winnings, it is almost impossible not to know the Philippines’ Pambansang Kamao (National Fist). In a few hours Pacman will be fighting, for the 3rd time, El Dinamita, Juan Manuel Marquez, to finally have a clear result, once and for all, since the first bout was a draw and the 2nd was a very close win by Pacman with a split decision. The bout in a few hours will be at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nov. 12, 2011.

While everyone else will be blogging about the match, I would like to touch on another facet of Manny Pacquiao’s power to influence his whole country. This has not been done by any other boxer in the world to his own country. If there is someone, let me know. This may not be a real secret anymore but Pacman has the power to drop the country’s crime rate to zero. Whenever it is his fight, everyone is watching. Well, maybe not everyone but even the worst people of the country watches the bout. Traffic is extra light. Many of the drivers who make a living out of driving stay home to be able to watch. Ceasefire happens

Ironically, there is also one politician who has dropped the crime rate to zero. Guess who it is. Manny Pacquiao. Yes, he is the only boxer and only politician in the country who has made this feat others cannot accomplish. He is also the only world boxer and politician who is also a singer, an actor, a businessman, and a game show host, all at the same time! Not to mention he is also a loving husband to his wife, Jinky, a loving son to his mother Dionisia and a great father to his children.

What made him successful? It seems he has the Midas’ touch. In my opinion, it is his teachable attitude, humility and all his glory, he always give credit to God.

By the way, he is also known to play very well in basketball and darts.

My mom used to say when we kids were little, “you are what you eat, so eat right.” Candies were banned and we ate brewer’s yeast and wheat germ…and I love them! In fact, just recently, I wolfed on some my sister gave me. Wheat germ, that is. None in my family liked it but I sprinkle it on my food and when I feel I had just a little, I’ll spoon some directly into my craving mouth.

Back when I was little, my choice of food were all healthy. There was no Jollibee, KFC, McDonald’s at that time. The only fastfood I remember was Tropical Hut which was far from our place and we see once a week when the bus passes by EDSA corner Ortigas, if I’m not mistaken. I love the smell of TH because you can savor its goodness from the bus!

When I became independent, living alone at my hometown (Olongapo City), eating at my own will, I was still living healthy, I should say. I rarely eat rice but I down about 5 glasses of full cream milk every day. Since I knew then that milk is a complete food in itself, I thought it could be enough. In 2 days, a kg of powdered milk gets ready to be replenished. Being sportive at that time, I did not find it hard to get energy, even for mere milk meals. Oh, I ate bars of cheese too. My sports included biking, volleyball, hiking, swimming and bowling.

When I moved to Quezon City for another job, my life became different. I lost the sports and all I did the whole day was sit in the bus while traveling to and from work (3 hours each way) and most of the time in the office, in front of the computer (then a 286!). My food became mostly junk. Wendy’s was just near our office and I’d usually get a baked potato cheese and cheese…my favorite! I could get the salad but I have no one to eat it with. With my tower skills (getting as much salad on the plate at one go) I’d feel guilty just to waste it if no eaten.

Now, with all the junk food I’ve eaten, I think I need to check on some weight loss products.

by Cecile Cinco

About a month ago I attended an event about fashion. Several bloggers were invited including myself. In one incident, I was chatting with two of them and in our getting-to-know-each-other info exchanging I learned that one of them is a football player.

Assessing his stature, I thought it could not be, or it is unusual since he was rather small and petite for the football I had in mind. Besides, I didn’t know we had football at all!

It was then that I learned that soccer is called football here in the Philippines. All the while I was imagining American football. Since we understood each other at that moment, the chat became more interesting. His stature no longer mattered. In fact it was perfect for the sport. I wasn’t just able to ask how many soccer trophies he had already accumulated.

It was in 1989. The Subic Naval Base in Olongapo still existed at that time. A couple (black American married to a Filipina) friends invited several of us young people in the Church to learn how to play golf. There were about 7 of us. It was exciting as I really wanted to know how to play golf. That time, playing bowling for about half a year, I thought that learning another sport was just a great opportunity. I knew golf is sport for the rich but since the door was open, why not grab it?

We were taught all the different golf equipment we need to know about at that time. The stance was very important, as much as the importance of how you hold the club, how you swing and follow through. Even the twist of your body was important.

We were all doing great and having fun until we reached the putting area. I was just a few feet away from the hole. I was told the twist of the body was a bit different. It’s sort of like twisting your upper body leaving your legs in place except for one that twists also. When I tried it, I suddenly fell on the ground, my right knee in pain. I realized that my kneecap moved to the outer side. Realizing I will not be able to stand in that situation, I bravely slapped my kneecap into place, with a loud cry. I asked for ice to apply first aid and stayed sitting on the ground for an hour before I was brought up to a bench.

Going home, I had to be carried. I rode the back of the guy who invited us. It was a sorry state. I was in the middle of a bowling tourney that time and I could not play. I could not even walk. My knee was in bandage but I kept trying to walk. Little by little I did.

The next week I tried to play bowling without the initial strides. I usually make 5 strides instead of the normal 3 that other players make. I stand the farthest from the lane and almost always at the edge because of the 5 strides I have to make. That time I could not walk well, I had to practice playing without a stride at all. It wasn’t easy and my score was not good but it opened opportunity to make bowling more fun. Another was playing bowling with eyes covered. If you did not get a strike, you will be told what pins are left.

I don’t regret that day when I tried to learn to play golf. With the bad incident, I made bowling more exciting. Not that it wasn’t but I was able to have others play with me the new ways I thought of. Oh, and that was the tourney I got the 3rd place in the women’s division. The first 2 were players for 5 and 10 years. I played with passion.