Your Feedback--Does the "Fighter of the Decade" Manny Pacquiao need an interpreter?

By Gel Santos Relos

              

In March, I published an article in this blog/column, sharing an open letter about Manny Pacquiao by a group that calls itself “The Filipinos in America”, and I quote:

Dear ABS-CBN Staffs,

We know that most of you are Filipinos or with a Filipino blood in you. Through you or with your assistance, we are conveying our concerns about how Manny Pacquiao (The Filipino Boxer) horribly and erratically speaks the English Language whenever he is being interviewed by the American Press and other People in the Media. Remember that it is being shown internationally not only here in America, and remember that Manny Pacquiao is carrying with him the whole country of the Philippines, and people of the Philippines are known for speaking English, not that way that Mr. Manny Pacquiao is always doing.
 
We can sense how people around United States are ridiculing and making fun of the way Mr. Pacquiao speaks in English, whenever he is being interviewed or asked by Mr. Lederman and other Reporters before, during, or after all his fights.

We do not know how or why Mr. Manny Pacquiao still insisted all the time to talk by himself, and he surely knew and feel that he is struggling so much in speaking English. He just doesn’t care or maybe does not understand the real consequences of his horrible talking. The question that we hear among viewers here in the US, “Is this the way Filipinos speak English?” and “Is there no one in the country of the Philippines who can be an interpreter for Mr. Manny Pacquiao?”

Please do not disregard our letter to you because this is very true and it is a potential bad effect to other Filipinos here in the US and other countries around the world!…

Very sincerely yours,
Filipino People of America

Manny Pacquiao is indeed a Filipino sports icon, but from the many many comments, letters and emails I got from the readers of my blog and Asian Journal column, I realize that to many Filipinos, he is more than that. He truly represents many of our Kababayans, a big majority of whom live below poverty line— in his roots, in his aspirations, in the way he looks, talks and feels.

He is deemed as a hero who fought for and liberated  the Filipinos not in the battlefield, but in our psyche of colonialism and learned helplessness. Manny has shown us through his example that poverty should never be an excuse for us to put a limit to what we can achieve. He has inspired us that we do not have to be like, look like, sound like an American or any other foreigner  to succeed, be accepted and admired. We can just be who we are—Filipinos—"carabao" English, brown skin, and all— and just dream big, work hard and be the best that we can be. In sports, in politics, and in his everyday life, the Pacman  never stops striving to be better than he is--  he has moved up to be the best in many boxing weight categories, he practices his communication skills undaunted by criticisms, he will even go to UP to be better prepared for his job as newly elected Congressman. 

Just this first week of June, our Pambansang Kamao came to New York to receive the “Fighter of the Year” and “Fighter of the Decade” awards from the Boxing Writers Association of America. This piece, which would quote some of your responses to that article’s question--”Does Manny Pacquiao Need An Interpreter?”---would be a timely tribute to the man and the honor he has bestowed upon our country.

Manny Pacquiao’s  speech as he received his awards says it all, “I am proud to be Filipino!”.

Here are the sentiments of our kababayans wherever they may be around the world on this issue:

I don't think the group represents theFilipino people here in America. Maraming mga Pilipino ang magagaling umingglis, at marami ding hindi. ano ba problema ng mga taong ito? Sports na boxing ang tinatangkilik ng tao at si Pacquiao ang pinakamagaling dito. Alam ng mga tao sa buong mundo ang pinanggalingan niya, na hindi niya kinahihiya. Ang nakakahiya eh, ang mga taong tulad nitong " Filipino people in America. Manny Pacquiao gives a lot of pride to our country, people around the world admire his kindness and humility. Leave Paquiao alone, kung ayaw nila ingglis ni Manny, huwag silang manood o makinig. sila sumisira sa ating mga Pilipino !!!—Edgar P., another Filipino  in America

When English is one’s second language, it is understandable that one will have a certain amount of difficulty in conveying feelings and emotions. When we hear a person from another country struggling with English, we do not laugh and make fun of them, but rather appreciate the message and value their attempt to communicate. I believe that we owe Manny Pacquiao the same courtesy, at the very least. If the English speaking world can appreciate Pacquiao’s accomplishments in the sporting world and take him for what he is, can we as Filipinos do any less? – Alan Araneta

I have lots of non-Filipino friends, and not one has commented on how I speak. When I apologize for the accent, they would even say that it sounds exotic. How come many Filipinos are so appreciative when Americans  try  to speak to us in our native tongue with all their mispronounced words and American accent, but when it comes to our own kababayan who is attempting to communicate with foreigners in English we are just so unforgiving?—Annette Velasco

 

I think that Manny needs an interpreter if he cannot speak good English. But this is not because I cringe at his spoken English. Manny should not pressured to speak in English when he has a difficulty to express himself in that language. He should not feel compelled to speak in that language. Maybe he is pressured by the fact the Filipinos are known all over the world to speak in English, and so he expects it from himself to do the same. If he can express himself more clearly by taking in Filipino (or Bisaya, why not?), then what is wrong about responding to a question in his own national or regional language? --Manny

When some Americans speak English with the wrong grammar which always happens and have some words pronounced incorrectly, nobody among these Filipino critics shows interest to correct these Americans. I am proud that Manny Pacquiao speaks English the way he does because he can show to the world that even those who achieved low education due to poverty like him can interact with somebody whoever he/she is. – Voltaire Mercado

 

It is not even a standard of measure if you are smart or if you are good in what you do. As long as he makes sense and viewer can understand what he says, then leave him alone.... ang hirap sa pinoy, basta magaling saIingles...niluluhuran kahit walang laman- Anna Cayetano

My American friends considered him as their Hero too, it is only you who mentioned about his accent. All American people found his accent so cute and they are amused!
By the way there's nothing to be ashamed of where he came from, he is so cool headed and humble and above all his determination really rocks! If he is ashamed of where he came from or his accent, he is not going anywhere, he will never be a Champion of the whole World he will ended just like you, puro pintas at hanap ng mali sa kapwa! Tama na ang pasosyal!– Esther Bernasor

What interpreter ? Americans never mock boxing champ. Manny the "Pacman" for his "carabao English," but instead loved him.The world understand the Pinoy boxing icon, simply because what mattered most is Pacquiao's performance in the ring, and they let the "Pacman" hands do the talking. – Lino Celle, New Jersey

Most Fil-am who are born and raised here in US are now expressing themselves to be a Filipino because of Manny, before, they are very timid and they dont even identify themselves as Filipino. If you ask them if they are Filipino, they will say "my mom is a Filipino" what the heck? Now, because of Pacquiao, they are now proud to identified themselves as Filipino.—Lion Forest

I watch every fight of Manny Pacquiao and his interview was the 2nd best part of watching him fight because I’ts funny. I’m not gonna lie, I’m a Filipino too, but during every fight he gets better and better in English. Have you watch other foreign boxers, they don’t even try to speak a lick of English worst be bad at it. I hate Filipinos who think they speak for others...I hate Filipinos who don’t speak Tagalog and never been to the Philippines and claim to be better than the rest of Pinoys.—Rhoz Santos

 

I only get annoyed when he tries to speak English even when being interviewed by the Philippine press. Now, that concerns me more. – Meg L.

What I would suggest though is for him to have speech tutor(just because he being a world class athlete is in front of international media)~ just to eliminate the "ah..." and "hmmm.." Well, Yao Ming did it and hear him now. – Sarah

Sa akin walang problema...Pinoy lang naman talaga ang pumupuna at ang mga elitistang akala mo kung mga sino...nagtagal lang sa America feeling nila kano na rin sila. – Eric Santos

Why the Chinese did not censure Jacky Chan when he was making movies and interviews? In the age of globalization, people would readily understand that people like Manny and other boxers came from humble beginnings and they don't expect to hear flawless English from them. – Tsny Pny

 In the 30 years I've been here, I have seen so many pretentious Fil-Ams that I don't even bother joining their little cliques. Manny Pacquiao is a Filipino living in the Philippines. He doesn't represent the US and he certainly doesn't have to answer to anyone else but himself. He conveys his message well enough: He is the best in his weight-class.. Yes, I would say it's perfectly alright to disregard this letter as baseless at the very least and heavy with a misguided sense of self-importance at the worst. – Penelope Tolman

I think the letter sender should first look at his own English. first line palang, pamatay na! – Olive

Here we go again. The colonial mentality is alive with this group. This suppose to be filipinos in America have strong inferiority complex that if you don't speak English you are inferior, people laugh at you. Get over it. Americans doesn't laugh at the French, Italian, Spaniards if they don't know a single word of English. Its only on your mind. –Michael

Yes, kailangan niya talaga ng interpreter, kaci minsan hindi niya naiintindihan masyado ang tanong. at iba ang sinasabi niya. nakakaembarass!!! – Nelly Terry

As long as he can express his thoughts, it doesn't matter if he speaks "carabao" English. (A lot of Americans do not speak proper english!) Now if Manny can't convey his thoughts to the audience, then he should opt for an interpreter so he can freely elaborate on any topic being discussed. We should not be ashamed to speak our native language. Other countries in the world would rather speak their native language even when they are in an English speaking country. – Vic

My apologies instead to my fellow Filipinos, for the indiscretion of this one bad apple - more especially to those who live and decided to stay in the Philippines...
Gusto ko lang pong ipahatid sa inyo na, kaming mga kapwa nyo Pilipino na nangibang bansa, ay hindi po ganito kakitid mag-isip. Hindi po kami mga "Filipino People of America".Mga Pilipino IN America po kami... – Ex Castillo

I haven't met an American or any other race who ridiculed me because of the way Pacquiao speaks English. In fact, the only thing people say about Pacquiao is that he's the best boxer now. My friends at work and school here in California have never presented me with the question: Do Filipinos speak English like Pacquiao? The man has done his country and people proud so to those who think his communication skills in English are embarrassing, cut him some slack!—Pinoy Ako

 

I really think that Manny Paguiao should have and interpreter. In fact, I believe although majority of us speaks English well, we should imitate the Japanese people who speaks their Language especially when talking to other nationalities because of their nationalistic and patriotic love for their country. Hence, they always use interpreter. – Chito

 

I admire Manny for his being true blooded Filipino who is not ashamed to express his feelings in English so that his fans and supporters will really know what he wants to convey direct from his own mouth. Interpreters sometimes give their own opinions or interpret it the way they want it which is different from what the person concerned want it to be. Keep up the good work, Manny. Make us proud as Pinoy. No interpreter please!—Dr. Fanie Radislao

Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan, Mga Kababayan!