That champ who ‘bridges love’

The greatest—Muhammad Ali— has spoken: Mayweather is unbeaten, but he is no champion. Manny Pacquiao is.

I first met my girlfriend on May 2, 2005, in an organic farming workshop in Laguna. She is a practicing agriculturist; while I am a fledgling, trying-hard farmer. I was smitten, just in case you want to know.

In one of the breaks, we came to sit down with another participant from General Santos City. And, of course, the handy topic was: Manny Pacquiao. It was a lengthy conversation I could remember because my first e-mail to her was entitled “Pacman.”

We are still together, celebrating our 10 years of togetherness. All these years, I have been wondering if I could have struck a conversation with her, e-mailed her, befriended her… if there was no Manny Pacquiao.

I can fully understand Ali saying Pacquiao as the champion.

A champion’s charisma can unite us. It permeates into our everyday lives. It makes our life fuller, and makes this place a better place.

And sometimes, just sometimes, even “bridging love.”

—CHESTER CHANG,
ches_chang@yahoo.com