It is sad that another ‘Pambansang Kamao’ who again did the nation proud yesterday has not gotten the accolades that he so richly deserves.

By all accounts, Nonito Donaire should be as big a star as Manny Pacquiao. Donaire’s masterful dismantling of Toshiaki Nishioka cemented his status as one of the world’s top pound-for-pound boxers, next only to Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Unlike Pacquiao, Donaire has not lost a single fight in almost one full decade. Every time he wins, he wins decisively. Donaire is now at the peak of his career, unlike Pacquiao who is clearly in the twilight of his.

Despite this, there were no movie theaters, restaurants or public venues that showed the Donaire-Nishioka fight. Life in Metro Manila and the rest of the country did not stand still, unlike each time when Pacquiao fights.

Perhaps it’s unfair to compare the two Filipino greats. While Donaire is a permanent resident of the US, Pacquiao not only lives in the country, he is also an elected representative who will very likely be re-elected next year. But Donaire has always prided himself in being a true Filipino. He was, after all, born here. Donaire does not even present himself as a Filipino-American, unlike Brian Viloria, for example.

Also known as the Filipino Flash, Nonito Donaire continues to make us proud. In return, we should not be so stingy in expressing our pride in him.

When Pacquiao retires next year, as expected, Filipino sports lovers should be happy that there is another great champion who carries the Philippine flag every time he climbs the ring, and creates his own legend.