Narong Hengtrakul, also known as the “Rex Wakee Salud of Thailand", came all the way from his home country just to show his all-out support for Pacquiao.
Hengtrakul, a lawyer and one of the leading figures in Thailand boxing for the past 28 years, arrived here on April 28.
He followed Pacquiao’s campaign trail for about three days before bidding goodbye to his new-found friends here.
“If Manny Pacquiao is in Thailand, there’s no iota of doubt he will win,” Hengtrakul said, "not only because Pacquiao is a boxing hero, but above all he’s basically a good person. Despite his stature and achievements in life, Pacquiao remains humble.”
He said another reason why the Pacman would easily win if he were running for office in Thailand was because winning was easy in the Thai Parliament.
“Electoral campaign in Thailand is not as violent and as expensive as what I have observed here,” Hengtrakul noted.
“What is there in Chiongbian? Many of his kind can be encountered by us anytime of the day. But Manny Pacquiao? He’s different, he’s special. We can encounter a great and gifted man like him just once in a lifetime,” Hengtrakul said.
He predicted Pacquiao will win over Roy Chiongbian, scion of a wealthy and powerful clan that has dominated Sarangani politics for more than two decades.
But according to the Thai visitor, he saw no reason why Pacquiao would not be supported by the voters of Sarangani.
“He has everything. He’s a complete package. He’s not just your hero but our own hero, too. We, Asians, should be proud of him,” he said.
Hengtrakul said that Philippines would again make history if Pacquiao becomes a congressman.
He said the Pacman would become the first ever congressman-boxer.
But, he said, even as congressman, Pacquiao could still fight. “If he wins, he can have one to two fights then retire.”
“If Filipinos can make Bong Revilla, an actor, as senator why can’t Sarangani voters give Pacquiao a chance? He’s much, much better than Revilla. His contribution to your country, to whole Asia and the entire world is unsurpassed by any Filipino or Asian figure.”
He noted that Pacquiao no longer has to subject himself to the rigors of a 45-day campaign, roaming around and asking people to vote for him.
“He lives in so much comfort. But why he sacrificed himself, spending his hard-earned money and skipping much-deserved rest just to offer himself at the altar of public service?” he asked.
The main reason, he said, was Pacquiao’s sincere intention to serve and help poor people.
First Posted 18:36:00 05/08/2010
By Aquiles Zonio
Inquirer Mindanao
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