Manny Pacquiao and Politics

Can someone answer me this? Why is it that whenever someone in the Philippines gets famous and say they want to serve the people, the first thing they think about is politics? Anyone? No? Me neither.

Is politics the only way to "serve" the people? It seems to me that it's an ironic way of helping people from how Philippine politics have been going on in the last 40 years. Has anyone actually seen any politician "serve" the people? It seems like it's mostly people who are serving the politicians.

First of all, they all treat them like kings and queens that they're lucky just to be in the presence of these politicians. Why? Because they give them money? Aren't those money just stolen from the people anyway and then a few Pesos given to the people to appease them?

I'm sorry if I sound cynical here, but I have never seen a politician in my life that actually served the people. Most of them are self serving. The reason they wanted to be in politics is either to make money or to have a problem go away by having the power to stop their critics or detractors. Why do you think being in politics is called "being in power"?

The funny thing is, in third world countries, politicians are very powerful. They have bodyguards, servants, armies, etc. When they drive around, they have a convoy of cars following them or have police escorts. These are just mayors, senators or congressmen mind you. These are not even Presidents or Vice Presidents.

Compare that to the US or UK, the mayors or ministers of parliaments don't even have escorts. They drive their own cars or do their own campaigning themselves on the street with nobody around them to help.

The problem is, the Filipino people gave these politicians too much power. By power I mean, they elect them based on their false promises or by being popular, then expect these politicians to be their saviors. You can see it all the time, whenever a politician is in their midst, these people start welcoming them to the point of almost bowing to them when greeting them. You may not notice it, but you can definitely perceive it. The politicians in turn think they're so great and untouchable that people will do everything they say. This of course snowballs and now you have a big headed politician who thinks the position is rightfully theirs and their heirs. Just like a king and queen.

So how is this related to Manny Pacquiao? I'm afraid that Manny will fall into the same cycle as with any politician. He may have honest intentions, but eventually, he will fall into a big head politician if he wins since everyone is already worshipping him and a lot of politicians are already circling him like Chavit Singson and Lito Atienza.

I don't have anything against Manny, in fact, I admire him for his talent and discipline. But politics is just not the way to go. If he really wants to help his countrymen, the best way to do it is the way that Tony Meloto did it with his Gawad Kalinga Foundation. Go directly to the people without the need for recognition.

If you do good, people will recognize you without the need to tell people about it.