Hanna Shen wrote that critics of Karol Nawrocki's participation in the boxing training with Manny Pacquiao expected a lecture, but saw the president in the ring instead. In her opinion, the recording published by Pacquiao could have reached millions of Filipinos and served as effective promotion for Poland. She reminded that Pacquiao was a former senator and the only world champion in eight weight classes in history. Shen noted that Nawrocki also spoke at the Catholic University of Santo Tomas in Manila, founded by Dominicans in 1611. According to her, the university was older than Harvard and was considered the oldest functioning university in Asia. She wrote that José Rizal studied there, and Nawrocki laid a wreath at his statue. She also mentioned Pope Francis's meeting with young people at the university in 2015. According to Shen, the president spoke to students about the shared experiences of Poland and the Philippines, such as foreign domination and the struggle to preserve identity, as well as about faith, family, solidarity, freedom, and sovereignty. He also recalled the Russian invasion of Ukraine and hybrid attacks on Poland, emphasizing that deterrence requires strength. Shen believed that this message could be understood in a country dealing with Chinese pressures at sea. She added that serious discussions, a lecture, and training with a boxing legend could have been elements of the same diplomatic visit. https://t.co/O6JtNM19h7 #Polska #Filipiny #dyplomacja (translated)
