Amidst Rising Pinoy Anger, Pacquiao Accepts Carolla Apology

When I first wrote about this on Sunday morning I was struck by the generally “mellow” Filipino response to Adam Carolla’s racial slurs against the Philippines and Manny Pacquiao, but since then the usual tide of anger and indignation has arrived and the Philippine related airwaves and netwaves are dominated by demands that Carollo apologize, or (now) apologize more abjectly and profusely than he has done thus far. But in the midst of this Manny Pacquiao himself, in an interview with ABS-CBN news, seems to have followed Kipling’s adage to “keep your head when all about you are losing theirs”. Here is the ABS-CBN piece — you have to scroll to the end to hear Manny’s comments, but it’s worth it even if you can’t understand Tagalog. Not only does Pacquiao accept the apology, he shows maturity and a bit of insight and understanding into the way of the world: “He said he’s sorry. We understand he’s a real comedian, a tough comedian.” The interviewer then asks: “So you’re accepting his apology?” And Manny replies: “Yes. Tao lang tayo.” –Or in English: “Yes. We’re all just people.” In my view this is one more reason to admire Manny Pacquiao.

Here’s the embed of the news report. Manny’s talks at 0:47