"PacMan"

Manny Pacquiao, one of the greatest boxers in history, was born on December 17, 1978, in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines. He was the fourth of six children born to Rosalio and Dionisia Pacquiao, who were both farmers. Growing up in poverty, Manny had a difficult childhood, often sleeping on cardboard boxes and scavenging for food. At the age of 14, he dropped out of school and left home to pursue his dream of becoming a boxer. He moved to Manila, where he lived on the streets and worked odd jobs to survive. Manny joined a local boxing gym, where he trained under the guidance of his first coach, Ben Delgado.

Manny began his professional boxing career in 1995, at the age of 16. He fought in the light flyweight division, weighing only 98 pounds. He won his first 11 fights, mostly by knockout, and captured the WBC flyweight title in 1998. Manny then moved up in weight classes, winning titles in the super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight divisions. He became the first and only boxer to win world championships in eight different weight classes, a feat that earned him the nickname “PacMan”.

Manny fought against some of the best boxers in history, such as Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley, Timothy Bradley, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. He was known for his speed, power, aggression, and resilience, as well as his humility and sportsmanship. Manny was also admired for his philanthropy and generosity, as he donated millions of dollars to various causes and charities, especially in his homeland. He built schools, hospitals, churches, and housing projects for the poor and the needy. He also supported education, health, environment, and peace initiatives.

Manny’s success and influence transcended boxing, as he ventured into other fields such as music, movies, television, and politics. He recorded several albums and songs, some of which became hits in the Philippines. He starred in and produced several films and shows, some of which were based on his life story. He also became a global endorser of various brands and products, such as Nike, Hewlett-Packard, San Miguel, and Hennessy. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2009 and 2011. Forbes magazine honored him as one of the highest-paid athletes in the world from 2009 to 2015.

Manny entered politics in 2010 when he was elected as the representative of Sarangani province in the House of Representatives. He held this post for six years until he was elected and assumed office as a senator in 2016. He became the leader of the then-ruling PDP–Laban party in 2020. As a politician, he advocated for the welfare and rights of the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed, and the exploited. He also championed the causes of education, health, sports, tourism, agriculture, and national security. He was known for his integrity, courage, and vision, as well as his faith and patriotism. He was also respected for his bipartisanship and collegiality.

Manny Pacquiao’s life is a testament to the power of dreams, determination, and dedication. He rose from the depths of poverty to the heights of prosperity, from the obscurity of the streets to the glory of the ring, from the anonymity of the masses to the recognition of the world. He is an inspiration to millions of people, especially to his fellow Filipinos, who see him as a hero, a legend, and a national treasure. He is living proof that nothing is impossible, that anyone can achieve greatness, and that everyone can make a difference. He is Manny Pacquiao, the pride of the Philippines.