The broad outlines of his history — his legend — have made the boxer a projection of the migrant dreams of the many Filipinos who leave home and country for work. About 10% of the Philippines’ GDP is money remitted from overseas Filipinos: nurses, nannies, sailors, singers, doctors, cooks, X-ray technicians, mail-order brides, construction workers, prostitutes, priests, nuns. Some spend decades abroad, away from the ones they love, for the sake of the ones they love. Everyone in the Philippines knows a person who has made the sacrifice or is making it. Pacquiao gives that multitude a champion’s face of selflessness: the winner who takes all and gives to all. “To live in the Philippines is to live in a world of uncertainty and hardship,” says Nick Giongco, who covers Pacquiao for the daily Manila Bulletin. “Filipinos are dreamers. They like fantasy. And what is more of a fantasy than Manny Pacquiao?” (Read a 2004 story about Pacquiao.)
via The Meaning of Manny — Printout — TIME.
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