Manny,
You have been the toast of the country for years now. I mean, man it’s obvious: billboards, endorsements, interviews….name it, you’ve done it. Everyone would move heaven and earth just to shake your hand. You have taken your sport to the next level. You are even mentioned as the best pound for pound fighter by critics abroad. Everything you do seem right on everybody’s mind. Your opinions matter, any appearance of yours would bring ratings off the roof.
You have earned millions…more than what every executive here in the country can earn during their lifetime (with the exception of 2 to 3 letter surnames or hispanic sounding ones). A mansion, a lifetime contract with a beverage giant. There is no commercial block that don’t have you on it. Even turned down a commercial shoot with a shoe company with Kobe Bryant. You have your own nike apparel which puts you in the same breath as tiger woods. And the list goes on and on. You are the most recognizable athlete in our country right now.
So why mess up when you have everything within your reach.
I am not talking about your nightlife, who you hangs out with, or what you do with what you have.  I am talking about you thinking about putting your hat in the political arena. Who the hell advised you to even think about it? I know you have lots of advisers and whoever brought that idea up to you and actually advised you to seriously consider it. I am not undermining your capabilities as a leader, but it’s simply not your cup of tea. They are just after your popularity and your money, not to mention their intention of running with you on the same party and boosting their chances to win.
Remember the Big J?
Let me refresh your memory. He’s a sports Icon, just like you. He made Ginebra the People’s team. Everywhere he goes, he is recognized, just like you. He has the same charisma as what you have right now. Just like you, everything he does is enjoyed by the crowd, good or bad. Everybody has a Jaworski experience, whether they saw it on TV or in real life. Every time he steps on the court, the crowd is electrified.
Until he ran for the senate.
It was a given that he will win. And he did. Once in the office, what did he do? I’m not saying he did not do anything good, but he didn’t do enough to win back even half of the Ginebra diehards that voted for him (he lost the next election). I don’t know what he is doing right now, but in my mind I wished he didn’t run for the senate (i can still remember the edsa 2 incident). He should have just tried to be more effective by getting a post in any sports governing body our country has and for sure he will be good in it.
Athletes like you are most needed out of the government offices. Don’t let yourself be used by greedy politicians who are just there for your fame and money.   I would rather have you dance for that videoke commercial than have you dance for votes.