Fists of emancipation : Pacquiao amd the burden of the national. - Guevarra, Dennis Paul P. 4 0 16; 5 (Trinity University of Asia)
ABSTRACT : By appropriating Marx's notion of commodity fetishism and the findings of Loic Wacquant's fieldwork on boxing, this paper seeks to demystify the misrecognition that the Philippine government and boxing fans/ masses have bestowed upon the pambansang kamao (national fists) the professional boxer, Manny Pacquiao. Unlike other boxers who fight for money and title, social forces have bestowed upon Pacquiao the opportunity to fight for his country's national pride in each boxing match. This paper argues that Pacquiaos elevation to a national symbol embodies the failure of government to address the perennial problem of poverty. Like the OFW, Pacquiao is supported by the Philippine government for the misrecognized notion of national pride. The Pacquiao success story, highlighted by multi-million dollar earnings and multinational endorsments, resonates the triumphs of the OFW in conquering the global consumer world. The paper ends by examining what the monetary success of Pacquiao means to the Filipino masses and government and its implications on Pacquiao's public self.
Keywords: 2 -- 0; 6; Filipino. -- Pacquiao, Emmanuel D.;Boxing.;Boxer -- 1978-.20; 20; 2