Missing photo of Obama-Pacquiao meet -- Philippine Daily Inquirer

By Rina Jimenez-David, Philippine Daily Inquirer

ONE OF the enduring mysteries of the recent Pacquiao-Obama encounter at the White House is that no photos of that meeting have so far surfaced, at least in the traditional media.

In this age of photo-ops and instantly downloadable images, not a single photo, not even a grainy image shot with a cell phone, has been aired or printed. All we’re provided so far have been photos of the Filipino boxer with US Sen. Harry Reid, who served as Pacquiao’s tour guide in Washington, D.C.

Explanations have been scarce. And to fill the vacuum, people have come up with several theories. Was it the Pacman’s new Justin Bieber ’do? Maybe the graying Obama didn’t want to be shown standing beside a teen idol wannabe (or avid Bruce Lee fan, as Pacquiao explained), deeming it damaging to his image.

Could the White House have feared that “boxing’s only legislator,” as the New York Times dubbed him, would use any photo with Obama in a future campaign? This early, trainer Freddie Roach already proclaims Pacquiao a future Philippine president. Is the Pacquiao camp reserving the valuable photos for a future run for the presidency?

Talking with a broadcast executive at Friday’s Anvil Awards night, I heard the most intriguing theory yet. It’s possible the White House imposed an embargo on any Obama-Pacquiao photo release because the Pacman will be fighting an African-American, Sugar Shane Mosley, in his coming fight. Is Obama afraid he would be accused of abandoning a “brother” just to cozy up with the Pacman from Dadiangas? “Obama has always labored under the perception that he isn’t ‘black’ enough,” said my broadcaster friend, so the half-white President might have thought it the wiser course not to further damage his standing among the African-American community.

Whatever the reason, I hope someone from the Pacquiao camp comes up with a credible explanation soon. I for one am begging for answers to a burning question: What did Jinkee wear to the White House meeting? (And did the outfit include an Hermes Birkin?)

Source: opinion.inquirer.net