We are all talking about Manny Pacquiao. The praises reaped on him are unprecedented. And he deserves them. From whatever angle you approach his victory over Erik Morales – physical conditioning, mental preparedness, tactical superiority, it will always be viewed as one of the greatest achievements of a Filipino.

During his post-fight interview and conversation with her mother seen on TV, there was one fleeting comment that he made that should make the people of Eastern Visayas proud.

One of the factors to which he attributes his victory is his “tapang” or bravery. And he said this is because his mother is from Leyte and has Waray-waray blood.
In the Philippines, the bravery of the people of Eastern Visayas is well-known. To Manny, it is an asset.
I think we should believe also in what Manny believes in. We are brave and courageous. With these and other factors we can, so to speak, conquer the world.

It is the use of assets like this that can make life better in this region.

We should do a Pacquiao. Be brave. Combine this with our talents and perseverance. It’s a mental thing. And battles are half-won if we are brave enough to face them.

Attaining higher levels of socio-economic growth is not only a matter of having the resources (e.g. funds, land, minerals, plantations, seas) and the skills – but it is also a matter of will and motivation.
Let’s also do a Manny Pacquiao.