What's the big deal again?

So I had a conversation with my coworkers 2 years ago about Manny Pacquiao. They were talking about Manny this, Manny that and I walked into the room and said "Who?" and they immediately attacked me for not knowing who he is.

First of all, hello! I just walked in. Second, just because I'm a Filipino like him doesn't mean s***. I mean, I don't expect half the Americans to know who Samuel Adams is (and NO, I did not mean the beer company!). I mean, if I had a dollar for every time I've been criticized for not having "Filipino Pride", I think I might be able to buy the whole damn archipelago

What I don't understand is, why am I the bad person when these previous coworkers of mine not only picked up the bad traits of Americans (being racist, too focused on making money and the American Dream instead of true happiness) and kept the bad traits of Filipinos (arrogance, modern-day slavery and acting like they've never had humble beginnings.)? I speak the damn language (and understand 2 other dialects), not to mention I value most of the customs and beliefs. I still hold most of the good Filipino values. And I particularly look back at this one:
There was this guy named Jose Rizal who said "Ang di lumilingon sa pinanggalingan, di makararating sa paroroonan". Roughly translated, he said that whoever doesn't look back to where he/she came from will never make it anywhere. Honestly, I've never been back to the Philippines so I am not even gonna hide that. When people ask what nationality I am, I answer "I am an American". But when people ask me where I'm from (usually because of the muddled accent), I tell them I was raised in NYC but was born in the Philippines.

I guess that's the curse of most of the children who migrate to the United States. It's hard enough trying to be an individual... but to be torn between two worlds. Trying to prove twice that we're worth being where we came from and also where we live

Anyways, before I completely stray from the subject (I already have, haven't I?)... why the hell should I pay for pay-per-view to watch Manny beat the crap out of some other guy. I'm from New York, I frigging saw people getting their a**es beat every day! Not to mention I have bills to pay and I would rather spend $100 on groceries. And why in the world should I care if he wins? Do I get money when Manny wins/loses? Only if there were bets called. If I see him in the street and in my native language I asked him for $50, would he help me? I highly even doubt he cares if I exist or not.

Forgive me for using the lines from my most favorite movie of all time for this reasoning:
Young Calogero: Bill Mazeroski, I hate him. He made Mickey Mantle cry. The papers said the Mick cried.
Sonny: Mickey Mantle? That's what you're upset about? Mantle makes $100,000 a year. How much does your father make? If your dad ever can't pay the rent and needs money, go ask Mickey Mantle. See what happens. Mickey Mantle don't care about you. Why care about him?

Nuff said.