Pacquiao, Politics and the Philippines

Pacquiao vs. Morales III on Nov.18, (Nov.19- Phil. time)

Pundits say that this time Morales is the underdog

People's champion is a favorite at 12:1

Plainly put, a $240 bet on Pacquiao would only collect $100 if he wins, but a $100 bet on Morales would pay a whopping $200 if he wins

Personally, I'm not so much into boxing but I can see the impact of this Pacquiao-fever over the entire country

Pay-per-views are mushrooming all over the city: malls, hotels, restos, and sports complexes

Prices range from as high as P800 to big-screen rates of P100

Plane companies announcing that seats are still available for Las Vegas flights this weekend

Politicians scramble to secure their tickets and ring side seats

President Arroyo might as well join in the fray

People's 'new' initiative: Pacquiao to be announced as Super Featherweight Champion of the World!

Politics and pop culture seem to go hand-in-hand in this country (the infusion of which is called Personality-politics) in fact the

Press has one time asked Pacquiao if he is interested in politics

Pacman answered: " ..konsentrayt lang muna ako sa boksing.."

Pragmatic yet poignant answer coming from the most popular icon in recent Philippine sports history

Probably, doesn't have a reason to enter into dirty politics

Prize money for this fight is slated at the millions, and he just recently

Purchased a shimmering black Mercedes Convertible in the US

Proof of his elevated socio-economic status in this country where

Popularity is the name of the game

Pardon me, but I feel I've got to cut this blog short or I'll be spending an utterly unproductive day or worse I'll be sounding like the ever-famous elementary tongue twister full of P's...