Who's afraid of the A-H1-N-1 influenza virus? Apparently a lot of people and for a valid reason but not the man who once again made all Filipinos stand tall and proud around the world.
As of this morning, the man who reigns king in the boxing ring confirmed to DZBB broadcaster Mike Enriquez in a phone interview from Los Angeles, California that his flight back to the country will push through. In fact as they spoke on the phone, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao was doing some last minute packing for hand carried luggage. Pacquiao also said that there were reports that reached him that he is not welcome to come home at this point because of the alert on the A-H1-N1 influenza virus also referred to as the swine flu from Mexico.
"I was told I am not allowed to go home yet but I will go home. My team will go home. What I know is that only those whose health is not well, those suffering from flu or related symptoms that should be placed in quarantine, but if you are healthy and not suffering from any fever or flu, you're OK to go home, " Pacquiao said in Filipino. The interview was briefed as Pacquiao had to really rush to the airport, a signal that the world's champ and the Filipino's "Pambansang Kamao" is really determined to board that flight that will take him back to his country.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque advised Team Pacquiao to stay in Los Angeles and postpone his homecoming as part of the preventive measures against the swine flu in the United States and Mexico. The advise was in fact, just a suggestion from the health secretary because of 10 cases of individuals in the Philippines now under medical observation for the deadly A-H1-N1 influenza virus. Many of those placed under medical observations are foreigners and came from trips abroad specifically from the United States and Great Britain.
Duque's suggestion also implied that the Grand Welcome for the People's Champ set on Friday will not push through. Many reacted of course. Why subject the people's champ to that restriction when millions of adoring fans here in the Philippines are awaiting his homecoming after his very recent victory over British boxer Ricky Hatton?
"The motorcade will push through", insists Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, one of the organizers of Team Pacman's whole day motorcade in Metro Manila.
I will have to agree with Atienza this time. Millions are waiting and it will not look good in the eyes of the world that in his very own country, the Pacman and his team appeared to be not welcome because of fear of the swine flu epidemic. Right after his defeat, Hatton went home to Manchester in London and was not subjected to any medical restriction or quarantine because of a very clear understanding on how the dreaded virus spreads.
While DOH has clear good intentions, it also reflects the limited understanding and appreciation of the swine flu epidemic that has caused the death of more than a thousand people in a number of countries in just a short period of time. The virus mimics the symptoms of the ordinary flu according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the preventive measures advised by world health experts are also ordinary measures, known to many.
But Pacquiao is right, for one to be quarantined, the individual has to have the symptoms first.
He doesn't have any---why quarantine him and his team? A case of over-acting, sorry to say.
Millions are awaiting Pacman's return and his decision to go home as scheduled erases the disappointment felt many after DOH's suggestion was reported yesterday.
It's a sad commentary that the man who brought honors to the country will be coming home faced with a number of issues and not just a plain and fitting red carpet welcome and victory parade for the honor he once again accorded to the Filipino flag through the world of professional boxing.
Aside from the swine flu scare, the Pacman is also faced with criticisms on his move to organize and register to the Commission on Elections his own People's Champ Party, signaling his crystal clear intention of fielding himself as a candidate in the 2010 Local Elections in Saranggani province.
There are also criticisms about his presence in the world of entertainment as an actor and as a TV/host. And we also know the other criticism against him about that supposed "affair" with a very voluptuous actress, an affair that has been denied over and over again, but one that has remained in the public consciousness.
Please, let's give Pacquiao a break and give him a fitting welcome.
The hugs and kisses he gets from his fans may in fact give Manny the ordinary or even the dreaded swine flu. But is he afraid? No! Why should we if the man's knows he's in top shape, and as Atienza puts it, "Manny is very healthy, healthier that most of us and probably, the healthiest Filipino alive today."
Manny, just go home. Millions await you. Do not disappoint them. (end)
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