Manny’s one li’l bright star

MASTER BLASTER

Neil Bravo

He strolled into the red carpet sans a braggadocio’s bounce on his heel. He looked like he just emerged from the barber’s chair and sentenced to a haircut as penalty. His bangs are gone. His moustache neatly trimmed exposing his rock-solid jaw.

On a night like this, Congressman Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao lights up a hotel ballroom more intensely than the giant golden chandeliers hanging on the ceiling. The fighting legislator from Saranggani Province is no doubt, still the supernova of Philippine sports.

This was no ordinary night. It was a starry, starry night. The sports equivalent of the Oscar night.

On a night like this, one will easily get star-struck by the presence of the biggest names in sports today. The guest book lists the Younghusbands (Phil and James) and the rest of the Azkals, PBA star James Yap, world 9-ball billiards champ Django Bustamante, and world 8-ball champ Dennis Orcollo.

This was indeed no ordinary night. This was the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night where the best and the brightest of Philippine sports in 2010 will be formally recognized for their heroic feats.

On a night like this, you would expect Manny Pacquiao to go home with the biggest trophy of them all. Consider this: Manny won his seventh and eighth world titles last year in a span of 8 months. No other boxer in the world has captured that number of championship belts. This was a feat that cemented Manny’s greatness in sports history.

But this was no ordinary night. And Manny did not go home with a single trophy on hand.

Not that he was snubbed. Not that he was robbed.

On a night like this, it was not necessary.

Even the awards body has admitted it ran out of awards to give to Manny Pacquiao. PSA President Teddyvic Melendres of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, in his introductory speech for Manny who was guest speaker of the evening, said they have run out of recognition for Manny.

Not that he needs none or deserves none.

On a night like this, Manny is bigger than the moment. Bigger than this vast ballroom and its giant chandeliers. Bigger than the trophies. And yes, he spoke big by choosing to stand ‘small.’

I have not listened to Manny speak in public but on this night, Manny displayed an eloquence as sharp as his fists. He said there is more to Philippine sports than Manny Pacquiao. There are more heroes to embrace, more reasons to support Philippine sports than there is to Manny Pacquiao.

On a night like this, Manny need not outshine the Younghusbands and the Azkals, James Yap, Django or Dennis. Not even young guys like Kiefer Ravena or Cyna Rodriguez. Manny does not have to be intoxicated with the Robert Greene’s Laws of Power no. 1 (“never outshine the master”).

On a night like this, Manny need not outshine everyone. Not even the chandeliers.

Manny has his own star to shine now. Safely secured in the galaxies, Manny’s constellation brings light to the other rising stars.

And that’s what makes Manny a supernova even if he chooses to be just one little bright star.