7 not-so-dumb reasons why manny pacquiao should avoid politics

As with millions (billions?) who witnessed the fight between the Hitman and the Pacman billed as “The Battle of East and West” last 2 May 2009, I was both thrilled and ecstatic when Manny Pacquiao knocked out Ricky Hatton on the 2nd round of their fight. The fight was so action-packed I delayed my breakfast (something I NEVER do) until the fight, yes, including the commentaries and replays, is completely over. Even then, we still conducted our own analysis at home so breakfast turned into a late lunch that day.

So, Manny Pacquiao is this generation’s greatest boxer, if not sportsman. He’s an inspiration to many and I don’t only mean Filipinos. Just less than a week after his victory, I read that he’s forming his own political party. What?! Run for politics? But why?

Of course, Manny is free to do whatever he pleases but in a remote possibility that Pacman or one of his advisers are reading this blog, here are the 7 not-so-dumb reasons why politics is not a good idea.

1. Politics will destroy your image. By its very nature, politics is an adversarial process. No matter how good your intentions are, opposition will always be a part of the equation. It’s role? To destroy your hard-earned reputation so they can score political points.
2.  No one is good at everything. You’re good, actually, great in boxing. Spare the politics to someone else.
3.  You cannot, must not lose one more time. With a previous defeat in politics, you cannot, must not lose one more time. Not that you will, but politics is a very unpredictable game. Having a “winner” reputation, a loss, even if it’s political, will not be good for your morale.
4. You forfeit the chance to be a living hero. With your outstanding successes, you are already considered a hero, a living one at that. Let’s just keep it that way, shall we?
5. People look up on Manny Pacquiao and look down on politicians. This is obvious.
6. You’re already a part of history. Don’t opt-out. Only a few people get to be remembered for heroic things they’ve done. As such, they become a part of history. I think it’s safe to say that you’re already a part of it. Please don’t opt-out by entering politics.
7. You can help your country just by being you. Just by being Manny Pacquiao and letting the world know that you’re from the Philippines makes us all mighty proud already. We are eternally grateful to you because of that.