INVITATION
We were invited to observe the practice session of the first and only eight-division world champion, Congressman Manny Pacquiao.
Our team arrived to see Manny already deep into his training last Tuesday at the MP Towers Gym in Sampaloc, Manila.
RHYTHMIC SOUNDS
His movements were timed using an eye-catcher speed ball. The speed ball trains hand-eye coordination, speed, and shoulder balancing.
The ball is hit first with his left fist, followed by the right, until the two alternate seamlessly while increasing in speed. A rhythmic sound is produced by the repetitive motion of fists hitting the ball.
MULTI-TASKING
Of course the jumping rope will never be forsaken in this conditioning program. Also called a skipping rope, this tool enhances agility, coordination, speed, footwork, and endurance.
The amazing thing about this aspect of Manny’s training is that he can perform this part even while chatting with his friends who came in to check his training—sports columnist Recah Trinidad and ex-Governor Manny Pinon.
BREAK TIME
After the training and a quick shower, he invited us all to a late lunch. His favorite tinolang manok was served.
The meal, however, did not commence without him first reciting verses from the Bible, followed by his interpretation of these.
BIBLE VERSE
Here is an part of the exclusive interview Kasanggang JR Langit and I did with Manny Pacquiao:
PACQUIAO: Lahat ng tao nag-iisip kung paano umasenso sa buhay, kung paano sumagana yung buhay. Pero hindi natin alam ay kung paano. Kasi habang hindi natin binabasa yung Bible hindi natin alam kung anong gagawin.
Like in Joshua 1:8: “Keep this book on the law always on your lips and meditate on it day and night so that you will be careful to do everything written in it, then you will become prosperous and successful.”
Kung intindihin nating mabuti, hindi lang binabasa. Ibig sabihin panatilihin daw natin ang word of God sa bibig natin araw gabi. So meditating is memorizing the verses para maging maingat tayo na hindi tayo basta-basta makagawa ng mga kasalanan. Then we become prosperous and successful.
(Everyone is thinking about how to succeed and prosper in life. But we do not know how to do this. If we do not read the Bible, we really will not know what to do.
Like in Joshua 1:8: “Keep this book on the law always on your lips and meditate on it day and night so that you will be careful to do everything written in it, then you will become prosperous and successful.”
We must not only read this but understand it well. We must retain the word of God within us day and night. Meditating is memorizing verses so we will not unknowingly commit sin. Then we will become prosperous and successful.)
SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY
REY: Pinag-uusapan natin ang prosperity at success, maraming taong gustong sumunod sa yapak na iyong tinahak. Paano mo ngayon nairerelate ito sa iyong career, lalo na sa boxing?
(Now that we are talking about prosperity and success, we know that a lot of people would like to follow in your steps. How can you relate this to your success, especially in boxing?)
PACQUIAO: Sa boxing naman siyempre dito ako, kumbaga sa tagalog, hinubog ng Panginoon na makilala hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong mundo. Dito ako binigyan ng karangalan, ipinakilala, and then para magamit at makapag-share sa mga tao ng kanyang banal na salita.
Sa boxing, I authorize him to hit me and he authorizes me to hit him in that particular event.
(It was in boxing where I was molded by the Lord, so to speak, to be known not only in the Philippines but around the world as well. It was here that I was given fame and was then used to share His word to others. In boxing, I authorize Him to hit me and He authorizes me to hit Him in that particular event.)
PROVIDENTIAL
REY: Medyo tutukan natin, Manny, yung tungkol sa upcoming event sa November 24 na laban mo kay Brandon Rios. Sabi nila mayroong mabibigat na punches mula kay Rios na dapat pag-ingatan. But, of course, yung ibang mga boxing analyst tulad nila Recah Trinidad at Gov. Manny Pinon, sabi sa bilis mo ay mahihirapan itong si Rios. Any reaction to that?
(Let’s focus on your upcoming event, Manny, the November 24 fight with Brandon Rios. Experts are saying that you need to be on guard when it comes to the heavy punches that Rios has been known to throw. But, of course, other boxing analysts like Recah Trinidad and Gov. Pinon have said that with your speed, Rios will be the one to have a hard time. Any reaction to that?)
PACQUIAO: Mahirap kasing magsabi ng tapos, Pareng Rey. I have to do my best in training, make sure I am in 100 percent condition the night of the fight so in that night I can give a good fight. I mean, yung blessing, yung panalo, nasa kamay ng Panginoon iyan. So Siya lang ang tanging nakakaalam. Pero of course, I wish positive and I believe na He’s behind me.
(It’s hard to talk at this stage of the game, Pareng Rey. I have to do my best in training, make sure I am in 100 percent condition the night of the fight so in that night I can give a good fight.
The blessing of winning is in the Lord’s hands. He is the only one who knows. But of course I wish positive and I believe that He’s behind me.)
AFRICAN CHAMPION
REY: Makaka-spar mo raw itong sinasabing Ghana’s undefeated IBF Continental Africa welterweight champion at crowned IBF International king na si Fredrick Lawson (21-0, 19 KOs)
(You will be sparring with Ghana’s undefeated IBF Continental African welterweight champion and crowned IBF International king na si Fredrick Lawson (21-0, 19 KOs)
PACQUIAO: Oo makaka-sparring ko siya. Titingnan ko rin kasi kinukuha ko rin siyang mag-promote sa MP promotions ko.
(Yes, he will be sparring with me. I will also do so because I want to get him for MP promotions.)
MARQUEZ – 5th FIGHT
REY: Yung unang laban nyo ni Marquez, nagkaroon ng controversial na draw. Ang sumunod na 2nd and 3rd na laban nanalo ka sa kanya at yung pang-apat ang victory niya. Ano ang chances ng 5th fight?
(Your fight with Marquez had a controversial draw. On the 2nd and 3rd fights, you won and on the 4th one he did. Are there any chances of a 5th fight happening?)
PACQUIAO: May chance pa naman hangga’t hindi pa sya nagreretiro at hindi pa ako nagreretiro. Malaki pa ang posibilidad na magkaroon ng another fight pero hindi natin alam. Wala pang kasiguraduhan.
(There’s always a chance as long as he and I both haven’t retired yet. There is a big possibility of that fight to happen. But who knows? No deal has been created yet.)
To be continued…
Photo credit: www.mp8.ph
Photo used under the Fair Use Exemption of the IP Code.
