Manny’s Defeat

by Randy Figuracion

Boxing pundits have several reasons for Manny Pacquiao’s loss to Juan Manuel Marquez. Some say it was a lucky punch while others say it was lack of preparation. But the most unique explanation comes from his mother, Dionesia Pacquiao.

I am sharing this reading taken from garabandal (motherofgod.com / December 10, 2012) as we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God on January 1, 2013! Give it some thought.. This piece was written by Angel in his blog.

I am a big boxing fan and have always admire the skills of Manny Pacquiao the legendary Filopino boxer. Raised in a devout Catholic home he used to always hear Mass before fights and wore Rosary beads into the ring until a few years ago he became a Protestant. He was knocked out on Saturday night in the 6th round in a big upset —

I came across an interesting piece by Manny’s Mum who was upset when her son joined a Protestant sect: I think his Mother’s faith will bring him home one day to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao revealed that the Virgin Mary appeared to her when she was still bearing eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao in her womb. In an interview over ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda, Mommy Dionisia said her son forgot his roots when he left behind his rosary and did not make the sign of the cross before his fight with Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.The fight ended after Pacquiao was knocked out in the sixth round.

Mommy Dionisia said she saw the Virgin Mary when she was one to three months pregnant with Manny.
“Manny, I saw you even before I gave birth to you. The Virgin Mary appeared to me the whole time I was pregnant. I saw her. It means the Virgin and Child watch over you. We cannot live in the world without a mother,” she said.

She said Pacquiao falling face down in the sixth round had a deeper meaning. “It means that you should not leave this,” she said while holding up a red, white and blue rosary, which she said Pacquiao purposely left behind before the fight. The boxer’s mother admonished her son for removing the figures of saints inside a grotto that he had ordered built.

She said that despite her recent illness, she still prayed for Manny and had another vision during the fight. “You may not believe me but the Divine Mercy smiled at me during your fight. Jesus told me He will be the one to discipline you. He said he will make you retire after the fight,” she said.

Dionisia appealed to Manny not to change religions, saying that her Catholic faith had helped her through many trials. “Ang tao iba-iba ang religion pero kung ano ang nahawakan ni Manny sa maliit pa, ayaw kong maglipat siya ng ibang sekta kasi sa umpisa ’yan ang palagi kong hinging panggabay sa kanya. Ang tingin ko lang sa kanya, wag niyang iwanan ito. Sa dami ng trahedya sa buhay ko, ito ang nanlaban sa akin. People have different religions but I don’t want Manny to join other sects because I have always asked the Catholic Church to guide him,” she said.

She again made an appeal to Pacquiao to hang up his boxing gloves. She said all of their relatives want to see him retire. She also told Pacquiao’s wife, Jinkee, not to sign any contract for Pacquiao’s next fight.
“My son is not a dog. Boxing is really a gamble. Son, you are not an animal. You are not a fighting cock. God the Father said stop gambling and boxing is a gamble with the body at stake,” she said.

Disclaimer: This section of the website is a personal creative writing of the author and does not necessarily reflect the official views, opinion, or policies of the Salesians of Don Bosco – Philippines South Province. For concerns on the content, style, and grammar of this piece, please contact us.